Analyzing the Production and Information Diffusion Mechanism of Drought Early Warning System (DEWS) in Kermanshah Township

Drought is among disasters that caused a large amount of financial burden to Iranian economy. However, drought management strategies have focused on crisis management instead of risk management. Drought risk management strategies take early warning system as a its focal point in order to disseminate information to drought-affected individuals which in turn reduces drought risk. The purpose of this qualitative study is to analyze mechanisms needed to deploy the production and diffusion of drought early warning system information in Kermanshah Township. Using case study as well as documentary approach, a critical case sample of 26 specialist from Meteorological, Agricultural Organization, Regional Water Company, Agricultural and Natural Resource Engineering System, Agricultural Bank, Regional Sound and Vision Broadcasting and Crisis Department and Municipalities participated in the study. The findings revealed that drought early warning system is not unified in a systematic manner and the stakeholders use their own method of disseminating information independently with limited knowledge of local context and poor knowledge of farmers’ needs and reactions. The findings of this study have implications to design drought early warning system in Kermanshah Province as well as farmers’ empowerment in terms of drought risk reduction.