Conclusion

Education Increases Adaptation Efficiency
By understanding what is happening to the climate, African farmers can take more proactive and informed decisions on how to act when their conditions change. The more conscious and organised the implementation of adaptation measures is, the faster new knowledge will be gained and further progress accomplished. Thus, enabling farmers to access and share information on climate change and adaptation is vital.

Farmer-to-Farmer Education
These accounts highlight the role of local communities and small organisations in teaching and training for climate adaptation. Local knowledge is an irreplaceable resource and an important basis for learning. Involving local people in decision-making processes in a participatory way allows for a more holistic approach and ensures local communities are more in charge of their own lives. A combination of farmers learning from other farmers (Lead Farmers) and professional training by agricultural experts is the ideal approach. Institutions for training are also necessary, whether these are local projects, cooperatives, government initiatives or donor-driven programmes.

Both Ways
African governments have a natural role in sharing knowledge about climate change. While the government should provide training, it also needs to learn from the experiences of its people. Climate change is a global challenge, and people on the frontline of climate change need to hold their governments responsible for putting adaptation strategies in place. Environmental groups have an important role to play in organising people and bringing their opinions and experiences back to the government.