Tradition meets tech as Kenya’s herders adapt to climate change
MERILLE, Kenya: For generations, Kaltuma Hassan's clan would study the sky over Kenya's arid north for any sign of rain – some wind here, a wisp of cloud there – to guide their parched livestock to water.
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Today, she leaves less to chance.
The 42-year-old relies on detailed rainfall forecasts received via text message from a Kenyan tech firm to plan her migrations, a simple but life-changing resource for an ancient community learning to adapt to increasing weather extremes.
The service uses advanced weather data from US agricultural intelligence firm aWhere to provide subscribers with rain and forage conditions for the week ahead in their locality.
The forecasts are sent as text messages, so they are compatible with basic phones often used by pastoralists in remote areas.
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