Early warning
FAO has developed and improved early-warning systems for emergencies since the mid 1970s. It manages two global information services to warn of potential food and agriculture crises and animal and plant health emergencies:
The Global Information and Early Warning System (GIEWS) on Food and Agriculture
GIEWS provides the most up-to-date and independent information on food supply and demand, including:
- food security monitoring for early warning of a crisis, including crop and food supply assessment missions, usually with WFP
- regular updates through the bimonthly publication Crop Prospects and Food Situation, special alerts and other country updates
- GIEWS workstation - an information management tool to handle remote sensing of agricultural areas, GIS and data
The Emergency Prevention System for Transboundary Animal and Plant Pests and Diseases (EMPRES)
EMPRES promotes containment and control of the most serious transboundary animal diseases and migratory plant pests, through international cooperation in areas including:
- early warning and reaction
- research
- monitoring and coordination
At country level FAO supports local institutions in linking early warning systems to agriculture sector needs. For example, extension services are trained on delivering information on possible hazardous impacts on the agriculture sector and on what farmers can do to reduce risks.
