Evaluating the feasibility of developing WeRise for the rainfed rice areas of Ethiopia

The Weather-rice-nutrient integrated decision support system (WeRise) was developed to improve productivity and livelihoods in rainfed rice areas. WeRise, which was piloted in Indonesia and the Philippines, integrates a crop growth model with seasonal climate predictions. The study evaluated the feasibility of developing WeRise for Ethiopia using the context analysis approach using five key lines of inquiry: community, market environment, digital agriculture environment, organizations, and people. Based on the findings, we then assessed how to develop WeRise to address user needs and deliver project goals. The study collected data through desk-based research and key informant (KI) survey and consultation. Content and thematic analyses were used to analyze data. Rice is considered among Ethiopia's priority agricultural crops for its potential to contribute to food security and improve livelihoods. However, rice yield in Ethiopia is still below world average and fluctuating due to weather variabilities. The KIs of this study identified digital extension service delivery including provision of ICT-based services on weather forecast (i.e. WeRise) among the relevant innovations that can help address the impact of weather variabilities. The Ethiopian Institute of Agricultural Research, Ministry of Agriculture, and the National Meteorology Agency have developed the Ethiopian Digital AgroClimate Advisory Platform (EDACaP). EDACaP which also uses seasonal climate predictions and crop modeling, may be an entry point for WeRise development as its rice module is in the early stages of development. The availability and accessibility of soil, weather and crop data from these local organizations along with their existing manpower capacities make it feasible to develop WeRise for Ethiopia. Piloting WeRise in the Fogera Plain is recommended. The WeRise prototype for Ethiopia (weather forecast only) was developed. To complete and improve the prototype, the crop database for ORYZA should be developed by calibrating and validating local rice varieties in the target pilot districts. Other ways forward identified are developing WeRise in the local language, making it available offline and online, developing a mobile app version, disseminating advisories through EDACaP channels and tailoring the advisories for each channel to increase dissemination and uptake in the context of poor connectivity and low digital literacy.