Samoa weather advisory to help local farmers
![Samoa weather advisory to help local farmers](https://www.fao.org/images/faoraplibraries/news-import/agromet-july-2020.jpg?sfvrsn=cb1401a_0)
The Samoa Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry (MAF), Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment (MNRE), University of South Pacific (USP) and the Food and Agriculture Organization of the UN (FAO) are partnering to develop weather advisories aimed at helping farmers better plan their crop production. A meeting to discuss moving the initiative forward was held recently at the office of the Samoa Meteorology Division in Apia, Samoa
Agrometeorology or Agromet is the study of weather and use of weather and climate information to assist in increasing agricultural crops. Horticulture is greatly affected by variations in the climate so timely information in changes can be a great help to farmers.
FAO Subregional Coordinator, Eriko Hibi explained. “Changes in seasonality, climate extremes and climate-driven pest and disease negatively impact agricultural production and rural livelihoods.” Hibi continued. “Informed advisories, alerts and robust early-warning systems are essential for farmers and rural dwellers to prepare for and adapt to changes in climate.”
As technology for monitoring and dissemination of information advances, now is the time to harness this progress in the agriculture sector to provide agrometeorological information and alerts to those who can benefit the most.
Ultimately in Samoa the project aims to produce Agromet bulletin services for farmers to utilize agromet info/advisories, and to collect data.
Background
This project in Samoa is part of a broader FAO initiative called, the Asia-Pacific Regional Programme on agrometeorological services, pest and disease alerts and early warning systems for farmers. This project is being being implanted in four countries including; Samoa, Nepal, Cambodia, and Bhutan.