admin | June 27, 2016
Following on the footsteps of El Niño is La Niña. The strong 2015-2016 El Niño triggered drought in some areas and unusually heavy rains in others, affecting farmers’ harvests.
The World Meteorological Organization is predicting the development of La Niña in late 2016. Both weather patterns greatly affect small-scale farmers, mainly because farmers have less ability to predict the timing and amount of rains.
This week’s Barza Wire features a Q & A with Stephen Muchiri, chief executive officer of the Eastern Africa Farmers Federation. Mr. Muchiri describes the impact of El Niño on farmers and how they might prepare for La Niña.
Learn more about the two weather phenomena from the WMO: http://www.wmo.int/pages/prog/wcp/wcasp/enso_update_latest.html
Photo credit: Anthony Morland/IRIN