Climate change and variability underscore need for innovation in farming
Partnership boost better farming decisions based on weather information
The United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) and the World Meteorological Organization (WMO) have taken steps to boost the capacity of extension workers and farmers to respond to climate change and variability in agricultural practice.
Under the lead of FAO’s Digital Innovation Unit, the renewed cooperation, “Agro-meteorological and Agro-climatological Services in Developing Countries: Digital Innovation to tackle climate change,” was initiated in Rwanda in December 2017.
This initiative follows a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) signed between the FAO and WMO in June 2017 to strengthen cooperation to respond to climate change and variability.
The cooperation looks into assisting farmers translate raw weather data into actionable and accessible agro-information—data that are essential to farmers to make well-informed farm-management decisions and effectively mitigate effective climate risks.
In Rwanda, FAO, WMO and local partners, Metro Rwanda and ICT Chamber, have teamed up to carry out capacity building training starting on October 22 to 14 November 2018. The will be in the five districts of the country—Nyabihu, Musanze, Rubavu, Rulindo and Burera.
This training for extension workers and farmers on Agrometeorological and Agro-climatological information will enhance capacity of the country to provide meteorological and climatological forecasts related to agricultural practices.
The project also looks into enhancing the capacity of Rwandan farmers by providing more accurate meteorological and climate data as well as improving agricultural information that will facilitate their integration into agriculture policies, plans and strategies.
The Partnership
About FAO
The Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) is a specialized agency of the United Nations that leads international efforts to defeat hunger. FAO is the lead agency in achieving food security for all and ensuring that people have regular access to enough high-quality food to lead active, healthy lives. With over 194 member states, FAO works in over 130 countries worldwide.
About WMO
The World Meteorological Organization (WMO) is an intergovernmental organization with a membership of 191 Member States and Territories. Established by the ratification of the WMO Convention on 23 March 1950, WMO is the specialized agency of the United Nations for meteorology (weather and climate), operational hydrology and related geophysical sciences.
About Meteo Rwanda
Rwanda Meteorology Agency (Meteo Rwanda) is a government agency under the Ministry of Environment (MoE) with legal, administrative and financial autonomy. The mission of Meteo Rwanda is to provide weather, water and climate information services for safety of life and property and socio-economic development. Throughout this project, the agency is responsible for facilitating the data gathering and their integration into agriculture policies and plans.
About Rwanda ICT Chamber
Rwanda ICT Chamber is an arm of the Private Sector Federation (PSF) Rwanda. The Chamber is the leading partner for organizations to share experience, network and meet key players in the Rwandan ICT sector. It acts as agent to support ICT sector development through upgrading the private sector’s skills set levels and facilitating dialogue among stakeholders on a continuous basis. Throughout this project, the Chamber is responsible of developing effective partnerships and dialogue between climate service, agriculture and food security users at all levels to enhance the climate resiliency of the agriculture and food security community/sector.