Performance evaluation : improving the climate resiliency of Kazakhstan wheat and Central Asian food security project

The $2.2 million project was aimed at improving Kazakhstan"s collection, analysis, dissemination and use of weather and climate information, including forecasting, and give farmers techniques to adapt to climate change. It also aimed to launch a regional dialogue on wheat, climate change and regional food security. Kazakhstan is a major wheat producer and the largest grain producer under predominantly rain-fed conditions in the world. Farmers are facing more droughts due to higher temperatures and more climate variability. The evaluation found mixed results in terms of improving the government"s ability to collect and analyze agrometeorological data and making seasonal and climate predictions. As one example, the project has led to better drought, crop and climate assessments, but seasonal climate forecasts have seen only marginal gains. Regarding dissemination, it found few farmers receive monthly agricultural bulletins created by the Ministry of Agriculture. The fees required may impede this. The evaluation also covered whether farmers are adopting climate-resilient techniques and whether the project addressed key climate challenges and gender concerns. It listed 26 recommendations for subsequent projects and further steps the government could take. (ClimateLinks.org)