Caribbean Agrometeorological - PowerPoint Presentation

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Caribbean Agrometeorological Initiative (CAMI): Potential synergies with GFCS Implementation

Adrian TrotmanChief, Applied Meteorology and ClimatologyCaribbean Institute for Meteorology and Hydrology

Caribbean Workshop on Climate Services29-31 May 2013,Port of Spain, Trinidad

State of agriculture and food

in the Caribbean 1Agriculture’s contribution to the economies of CARICOM states have been on the

decline since the 1970sNet agricultural trade moved from being a surplus of US$2.9 billion in 1988 to a deficit of US$2.2 billion in 2004 (CARICOM donor conference draft document 2007)Losses in preferential markets for traditional crops in

Europe

State of agriculture and food

in the Caribbean 2Except for Guyana and Belize,

CARICOM states became net importers of food The Jagdeo Initiative, sought to breathe new life into the agriculture and related sectors – including

land and water and Disaster Risk Reduction

. Other initiatives have since built on this.

Potential annual

impacts of

CC in CARICOM (and Associates)

Members

by ca. 2080 will be US$11.2 billion (11.3% of the total annual

GDP)

, World Bank

Contribution of agriculture to GDP and Employment, and proportion of irrigated land

GDP (%)

Employment (%)

Agricultural Land (‘000 ha)

Irrigated Land (% of cropland)

Antigua & Barbuda

3.77

NA

14N/ABarbados4.474.61929Belize16.6527.51523Dominica18.2827.323N/AGrenada9.7713.813NAGuyana31.4427.8174029Jamaica5.4920.45139St Kitts & Nevis3.03 10N/ASt Lucia5.2711.42017St Vincent/ Grenadines8.7615.4167Trinidad & Tobago1.16.91333

Rainfall Information Still Critical

Caribbean Agrometeorological Initiative (CAMI)

Funded by the European Union through the ACP Group of Countries Science and Technology ProgrammeImplemented by CIMH, CARDI, WMO and Ten National Meteorological Servicesto increase and sustain agricultural productivity at the farm level in the Caribbean region through improved applications of weather and climate information using an integrated and coordinated

approachInformation providers, users and communicationwww.cimh.edu.bb/cami

Seasonal Rainfall Prediction with use of climate prediction models

Supporting management decisions such as for irrigation scheduling

Developing forecasting systems for selected pests and diseases

Statistical

Analyses

Crop and Irrigation

Simultion

Preparation and dissemination of a user-friendly weather and climate bulletins and information

Daily, week ten-daily, monthly, seasonallyPrint, radio, television, mobile/cellular, telecentres

Means for Dissemination

Effective Communication – Strategy involving any media that can reach farmers in a language they can understand

Regular forums with the farming community and agricultural extension agencies to promote a better understanding of the applications of weather and climate information

Important for understanding farmers needs and how to communicate with them

Effective Data Management System

Rescue and Digitise hard copy information

Data sharing, protocols

All data to a centralised system

Global data systems, Remote Sensing

IT support

Developing forecasting systems for selected pests and diseases

Statistical

Analyses

Crop and Irrigation

Simultion

Building capacity of the Agro-Meteorological Services

Climate Observations and Monitoring

Data RescueDatabase developed – To pursue light versions – SynchronyDenser climate observation network, more strategically located, with as much homegeneity of instruments as possibleDrought and rainfall monitoring……focussing next on temperature monitoring

…necessary biological observations and monitoring (pests and diseases, crop simulation monitoring…)

Research, modelling, predictionCariCOF

and applications/implicationsDrought and rainfall SPI Outlook and applicationsClimate TrendsPests and diseasesCrop and irrigation modelling

Climate Services Information SystemRegional and National Bulletins…

…On the web, including WAMIS in some cases…By e-mail …in seed and chemical shopsUser Friendly LanguageCommunication Strategy – bulletins, cell phones, radio, television, Apps

USER Interface

National Tri-partite committees to sustain Action and maintain dialogue and interaction between the three groups…To re-establish on-line forum (listserve?)Face-to-face forums particularly at the beginning of dry and wet seasonsNow CAMI is finished re-activate the Caribbean Agrometeoeology

Network web page – (feedback link?)Need to establishment Monitoring and Evaluation

Recommendations forPolicy Makers

Adequate Human Resources and structural changes at NMS that support weather and climate services for agriculture.

Financial resources for developing competent staff to deliver

agrometeorological

services.

Support

specialised

training for staff of Agricultural Extension Services in

agrometeorology

.Policies and protocols put in place within and between government, statuary departments and research institutions that encourage collaboration, data sharing and centralizing of agrometeorological data.Farmers forums to continue, led by the NMSs, particularly just prior to the beginning of the wet/hurricane and dry seasons.Radio and television programmes and newspaper articles can be used to supplement the awareness. Pursue a robust Strategy for Communication with the assistance of communication specialists, at the national and regional levels, ensuring efficient and effective dissemination of information.Financial resources made available for adequate, well maintained observation networks of higher spatial density that include Automatic Weather Stations. Particular emphasis should be placed on enhancing the quality and detail of biological information. National Tri-partite committees, made up of meteorologists, extension officers and farmers as core groups ratified by government and report to the Ministry of Agriculture, particularly at times of threatening weather and climate conditions. These committees can be either expanded to, or play an advisory to role of Disaster Risk Reduction Committees in Agriculture .

Thank you