Caribbean Agrometeorological Initiative CAMI Potential synergies with GFCS

Caribbean Agrometeorological Initiative (CAMI): Potential synergies with GFCS Implementation Adrian Trotman Chief, Applied Meteorology and Climatology Caribbean Institute for Meteorology and Hydrology Caribbean Workshop on Climate Services 29 -31 May 2013, Port of Spain, Trinidad

State of agriculture and food in the Caribbean 1 • Agriculture’s contribution to the economies of CARICOM states have been on the decline since the 1970 s • Net 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 2 • Except 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 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 (%) 3. 77 Employment (%) NA Agricultural Land Irrigated Land (‘ 000 ha) (% of cropland) 14 N/A Antigua & Barbuda Barbados Belize Dominica Grenada Guyana Jamaica 4. 47 16. 65 18. 28 9. 77 31. 44 5. 49 4. 6 27. 5 27. 3 13. 8 27. 8 20. 4 19 152 23 13 1740 513 29 3 N/A NA 29 9 St Kitts & Nevis St Lucia St Vincent/ Grenadines Trinidad & Tobago 3. 03 10 N/A 5. 27 8. 76 11. 4 15. 4 20 16 17 7 1. 1 6. 9 133 3 Rainfall Information Still Critical

Caribbean Agrometeorological Initiative (CAMI) • Funded by the European Union through the ACP Group of Countries Science and Technology Programme • Implemented by CIMH, CARDI, WMO and Ten National Meteorological Services • to 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 approach • Information providers, users and communication • www. cimh. edu. bb/cami

Seasonal Rainfall Prediction with use of climate prediction models

Supporting management decisions such as for irrigation scheduling

Statistical Analyses Crop and Irrigation Simultion Developing forecasting systems for selected pests and diseases

Means for Dissemination Effective Communication – Strategy involving any media that can reach farmers in a language they can understand Preparation and dissemination of a user-friendly weather and climate bulletins and information Daily, week ten-daily, monthly, seasonally Print, radio, television, mobile/cellular, telecentres

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

Statistical Analyses Crop and Irrigation Simultion Developing forecasting systems for selected pests and diseases Building capacity of the Agro. Meteorological Services

Climate Observations and Monitoring • Data Rescue • Database developed – To pursue light versions – Synchrony • Denser climate observation network, more strategically located, with as much homegeneity of instruments as possible • Drought and rainfall monitoring… • …focussing next on temperature monitoring • …necessary biological observations and monitoring (pests and diseases, crop simulation monitoring…)

Research, modelling, prediction • Cari. COF and applications/implications • Drought and rainfall SPI Outlook and applications • Climate Trends • Pests and diseases • Crop and irrigation modelling

Climate Services Information System • • • Regional and National Bulletins… …On the web, including WAMIS in some cases …By e-mail …in seed and chemical shops User Friendly Language Communication 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 seasons • Now CAMI is finished re-activate the Caribbean Agrometeoeology Network web page – (feedback link? ) • Need to establishment Monitoring and Evaluation

Recommendations for Policy 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