Opportunities and Barriers to Use of Climate Services in Senegal

In 2020, a study was conducted to understand the factors that influence decision-makers’ use of climate information in food security and other climate-sensitive sectors in Senegal. The study assessed the extent to which existing climate services meet decision-makers’ needs, including considerations related to information access, relevance and usability. A sub-objective was to collect preliminary information on the extent to which climate services might be meeting the needs of food producers, as end users of climate information. Semi-structured interviews were carried out with representatives of institutions from food security-related sectors in Senegal. Results show that climate services use has been expanding in Senegal, but there are gaps in use across types of users and sectors related to food security. Furthermore, factors related to climate information awareness, infrastructure development, and language issues can inhibit food producers’ access to scientific weather and climate information. Collaboration with intermediary organizations representing rural populations’ needs can help enhance access to food producers. Keywords: Senegal; agriculture; climate variability; food security; Goal 2 Zero Hunger; climate service