FAO in Ethiopia, Monitoring and Evaluation Officer, Douglas Magunda, speaking during the launch of the report in Addis Ababa

- Addis Ababa: An assessment by the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) presents key findings on agrometeorological (agromet) services and early warning systems in Ethiopia and puts forward a number of the recommendations to address identified challenges.

Titled ‘The Status of Agormet Advisory Services and Early Warning Systems in Ethiopia,’ the assessment report was launched at a workshop in Addis Ababa on 7 November 2024. It highlights the key findings and aims to evaluate and strengthen capacities for early warning standards, tools, and advisory mechanisms.

The report is on an assessment of agrometeorological services in Ethiopia, which was conducted by FAO with the aim of evaluating and strengthening capacities for the development of early warning standards, tools, and agrometeorological advisory and dissemination mechanisms.

A primary obstacle identified is the limited technical and human capacities within Ethiopian Meteorological Institute (EMI), resulting in inadequate installation and monitoring of agroclimatic variables nationwide. Insufficient coverage and outdated infrastructure hindering the timely delivery of high-quality climate and agronomic data, essential for effective climate services in agriculture, among others.

The study, which was funded by the European Union (EU), also calls for the following:

Need for Investments − To address these challenges, investments are imperative to expand network coverage, particularly in eastern pastoral areas, and upgrade existing stations to automatic systems for enhanced data transmission. An awareness campaign is recommended to educate communities on the importance of infrastructure protection against vandalism.

Leverage on Extension Workers’ Network − Leveraging Ethiopia's extensive network of extension workers presents an opportunity to enhance agro-advisory dissemination, alongside scaling up existing early warning systems like Livelihood, Early Assessment and Protection (LEAP) and Ethiopian Digital Agro-Climate Advisory Platform (EDACaP). Involving the private sector, exemplified by successful initiatives like the Lersha app, is crucial given government financial constraints. Despite a well-established institutional framework, collaborative efforts are needed to foster trust and synergy among stakeholders, including the private sector.

Need to Work in Partnership − Partnerships with FAO and institutions like Hawassa University and CGIAR, as well as international entities like the Swedish Meteorological Institute and EU, offer additional opportunities for capacity building and funding support. By aligning efforts and leveraging available resources, stakeholders demonstrate a collective commitment to building climate-resilient agricultural systems and promoting sustainable development.

Employ Past Experience − Decision makers and project formulators should build on past projects and existing tools that provide valuable insights and experiences that can inform and enhance current and future initiatives.

For further information, please contact:

Emmanuel Kihaule
International Communications Specialist
FAO Ethiopia
Email: [email protected]

Meseret Abiy
National Communications Specialist
FAO Ethiopia
Email: [email protected]