PICSA

The Participatory Integrated Climate Services for Agriculture (PICSA) approach, developed by a team of researchers from the University of Reading, offers comprehensive support to smallholder farmers. Designed to guide farmers from pre-season planning to post-season activities, PICSA serves as a foundation for informed decision-making. The approach is built on three key components:

• Providing climate and weather information, including historical records and forecasts, to farmers.
• Collaborative analysis of information on crop, livestock, and livelihood options, along with associated risks, involving both field staff and farmers to identify practical management activities.
• Implementation of participatory tools that empower farmers to utilize the gathered information in planning and decision-making tailored to their specific circumstances, such as participatory budgets for planning.

PICSA has been effectively implemented in over 30 countries across Africa, the Caribbean, and select regions in Asia, demonstrating its adaptability in diverse agricultural contexts. The GHAIDEMS team members have played crucial roles, serving as key contributors to the PICSA African team. Notably, during the CASCAID project in 2015, GHAIDEMS team members took leadership positions, contributing significantly to the success of PICSA implementation in Ghana. A subsequent study revealed that approximately 6,000 households in Northern Ghana received PICSA training, with an impressive 97% making tangible changes to their agricultural and livelihood practices. On average, each household implemented more than three changes, highlighting the effectiveness of the approach.

PICSA's success is attributed to its focus on tailoring options to the specific conditions of farmers, considering both biophysical and socioeconomic factors. This strategy was evident in the GHAIDEMS team's participation in the WAMMP project for Lesotho in 2017 and, similarly, in 2019 under the WFP's Climate Services Support, leading to favorable outcomes for Mozambique. In these instances, GHAIDEMS' team members within the African PICSA team have conducted PICSA Approach training sessions for extension workers and lead farmers, who subsequently share the approach with other farmers. They have also been actively involved in monitoring visits and evaluations of the PICSA approach within the PICSA regions. The ongoing commitment of the GHAIDEMS team underscores the lasting impact and importance of PICSA in promoting sustainable and context-specific agricultural practices.