Wednesday, November 7, 2007 - 11:00 AM
248-7

Perceptions and Technological Innovation for Adaptation to Climate Change: A Case Study with Cattle Farmers in the Dry Pacific Region of Costa Rica.

Carolyn Elizabeth Smith1, Maren Oelbermann1, Claudia Sepúlveda2, and Muhammad Ibrahim2. (1) CANADA,Univ.of Waterloo, Faculty of Environmental Studies, 200 University Avenue West, Waterloo, ON N2L 3G1, Canada, (2) CATIE, 7170, Turrialba, Costa Rica

Over the last decades climate change has prolonged droughts and increased rainfall intensity, flash floods and tropical storms. This research, carried out within the silvopastoral project funded by GEF (Global Environmental Facility), is being implemented by CATIE in Costa Rica. This study was conducted in Esparza, Costa Rica, which has a sub-humid tropical climate with a distinct dry season. The main objective of this study is to evaluate farmers' local knowledge and perceptions about climate change and how they are innovating technologies to adapt to climate change. Cattle farming is the main activity. Farm size varies from 9 to 60 ha. The analysis of the data base with 104 cattle farmers shows that many farmers have adopted improved technology as a strategy to adapt to climate change. More than 90% of the farmers have planted improved Brachiaria grass species with trees, which are more drought tolerant than the naturalized grass, Hyparrenhia rufa, commonly used by farmers in this region. The area of Brachiara pastures with trees increased by 36.4 % between 2003 and 2006. In addition to planting Brachiaria grass, farmers have been investing in the establishment of sugar cane and fodder banks with tree and shrub legumes (Cratylia argentea). This is more adapted to drought conditions and produces more forage in the dry season compared to H. rufa pastures. Forty cattle farms were monitored to evaluate the impacts of improved technologies on farm productivity. Preliminary results show that milk yields increased by 20% in the dry season compared with traditional farms. This study continues to evaluate farmers' knowledge and perceptions of climate change and the drivers associated with technological innovations for adapting to climate change. It will identify barriers for adoption of technologies and provide recommendations for improving strategies for adaptation to climate change.