Project objectives

The key objectives of the project is:

the creation of a 'virtual' discussion-support-system which will enable the integration of climate variability with practical farming operations by utilising breakthrough developments in web-based portals. These systems will be developed for farmers in regional India by utilising the extensive regional internet kiosk network being made available by the Indian Government.
to improve access by farmers to information related to climate variability, climate change and farm-related information, to climate experts extension officers.

The APN project will aid the establishment of new innovative channels of communication between:

policy-makers in India
key selections of the scientific community (specifically agricultural meteorology, climate science and farm management)
farmers, and
key educational institutions.

Project outcomes

The expected outcomes of the APN project are:

enhance capabilities of farmers and specialists to manage their farming operations
improve opportunities for farmers and the community to develop 'ownership' of relevant climate information
develope abilities to increase food production
enhance food security
increase resilience of the farming communities, and
improve well-being of the general community.

To facilitate the success of the APN project the methods being implemented are:

participatory workshops: use of an action-learning approach to engage farmers and Indian partners at workshops throughout the entire web portal development process, and
web and portal development: designed around the notion of 'discussion-support' where climate based scenarios challenge the participant farmers about on-farm decisions. Discussions will also be stimulated at farmer-oriented internet kiosks in India and online with farmers and support staff.

Throughout the APN project the team's objectives are:

engage in expertise of USQ researchers (climate science, sustainable agriculture and distance 'e-Learning'), climate and service specialists and agrometeorologists at India Meteorological Department (IMD) and at designated specialists agricultural universities in India
USQ Australian Digital Futures Institute (ADFI) personnel will depict 'real-world' climate scenarios relevant to the live and practices of farmers for a region of rural India, and
local extension and university specialists (ANGRAU, Hyderabad, TNAU and Coimbatore) will undertake site visits and workshops facilitated by IMD specialist agricultural universities to investigate the aspects of local infrastructure. USQ and IMD will package and synthesise relevant climate information into use-friendly, relevant and accessible forms for key regions of Andhra Pradesh (in consultation with IMD, ANGRAU and TNAU).