Last September, activities were held to promote the aCLIMAtar platform, a tool designed to contribute to the adaptation of agriculture to climate change. It is the result of collaboration between the Alliance Bioversity International and CIAT, Rikolto, the World Cocoa Foundation, and the RainForest Alliance, with the support of Hanns R. Neumann Stiftung (HRNS).
This workshop, which was attended by 31 participants, was held in the department of Putumayo, Colombia, and focused on the importance of converting climate data into practical actions. The sessions were aimed at agricultural extension personnel in the region; however, in addition to field technicians, representatives of producer organizations, producers, representatives of municipal governments, and institutions that are part of the regional committee of the cocoa chain in the Colombian department also attended.
Socialization Workshops:
Two workshops were held in Bajo Putumayo and Medio Putumayo, aimed at agricultural extension personnel, producers, and representatives of local organizations. The objective was to present the aCLIMAtar platform and its five-step methodology to facilitate adaptation to climate change.
In the first part of the workshop, participants discussed how the climate is changing in the region, presenting data on precipitation and temperature, as well as climate suitability and adaptation zones for cocoa cultivation. Participants learned how to use the aCLIMAtar tool, navigating its interface and exploring how to access relevant information on climate risks and recommended agricultural practices.
Attendees participated actively, asking questions and providing feedback on the tool. The need for specific information for crops other than cocoa was highlighted. During the sessions, participants expressed interest in having more information available for South America and suggested improvements for future trainings, such as more practical and accessible sessions.
The workshop sessions were well received, with attendees showing a high level of interest in learning about climate projections and how these may influence their agricultural practices. The aCLIMAtar tool is seen as a valuable resource for strategic planning in the face of climate change, although areas for improvement were identified in terms of accessibility and specific content.
The aCLIMAtar socialization event not only provided practical knowledge, but also fostered constructive dialogue on how to address current climate challenges in agriculture. This activity is part of other actions previously carried out within the framework of the Clima-LoCa project.