The Force 5 Hurricane Ivan in 2004 heralded an ominous change in weather patterns with more frequent and more severe storms devastating the region coupled with increased rainfall causing severe flooding interspersed with periods of drought.
    Small holder farmers the most vulnerable of the agricultural community, have had little help to secure their farms, natural resources and assets in the face of increasingly unpredictable weather and rising sea levels. The same farmers, however, have a critical and  yet unrecognised role to play in addressing climate change by changing their farming practices to use less energy.The farming method identified by the UNEP and FAO as a fundamentally sound way to address climate change is organic  production.

The workshop had disscussions  and solutions on the following issues:

• How can ICT-based information and warning systems be better accessed by women farmers across the region to prepare for, adapt to and manage climate change;
• What materials currently exist on-line that would be of particular relevance to women farmers in the region;

• Maximise and tailor learnings for women farmers from all on-going information and early warning systems;
• Promote key players to implement and apply relevant and applicable risk management and early warning information
• Highlight effective mitigation strategies and essential coping skills already in place, and those required for appropriate adaptation; and
• Ensure that the information needs of women farmers are addressed through a range of communication and information channels.