Customization of weather information and climate services to smallholder farmers
There is an urgent need to develop local level weather forecasts application for the agriculture sector in Nepal. Most of the times the forecasts that are available cannot be used directly by the farmers, because of its technical details. Therefore, the main aim of this project is to develop the capacity of institutions to customize and dissemination of weather forecast in user-friendly language focusing mainly on agriculture. However, these forecasts can also be effectively used in other fields like industries, water and disaster management and other relevant disciplines. The customization and dissemination mechanism developed in this project will be transmitted to the scientists of the participating institution, relevant policymakers and local farmer so that the path laid out by this project will be institutionalized and utilized in the future also after the termination of the project. In this way, this project has also contributed to the capacity building aspect in addition to its main research component. One of the essential tasks of this project is to address this aspect so as to facilitate the farmers. This project will help to use these forecasts effectively in the agricultural practices.
The project will recommend customize weather forecast system and policy action through national, regional and local consultation among stakeholders including the policy/decision makers. The project will also establish and enhance communication channels for forecast dissemination (risk communication) to help end-users to adapt to the environmental and economic impacts resulting from climate variability and change. The community/farmers and policy/decision-makers will be made aware of the potential benefits of using customize weather forecast to improve food security through interactive workshops and campaigns.
Project duration: 1 Year
Implementing partners: Department of Hydrology and Meteorology, Government of Nepal and The Small Earth Nepal
Financial support: USAID Hariyo Ban Program
Pilot site: Puranchaur, Kaski
