Agromet FARRM School Field Visit

The Agromet-Forecast Application for Risk and Resource Management (FARRM) School is a joint initiative of RIMES and the Department of Agricultural Extension (DAE), in collaboration with Save the Children Bangladesh and SKS Foundation, Gaibandha, with funding support from the German Federal Foreign Office (GFFO) under the project “Child-centered Anticipatory Action for Better Preparedness of Communities and Local Institutions in Northern and Coastal Areas of Bangladesh.”

The FARRM School aims to strengthen farmers’ and extension workers’ capacity to adopt climate-smart agricultural practices by providing timely weather information, agrometeorological advisories, and practical farming techniques.

On 8 August, delegates from RIMES, Save the Children Bangladesh, SKS Foundation, and DAE visited two FARRM Schools in Kanchipara Union, Fulchari Upazila, and Chandipur Union, Sundarganj Upazila to engage with participants, assess progress, and gather feedback on the program’s effectiveness.

The visit was attended by:
– Md. Obaidur Rahman Mondol, Director, Field Service Wing, DAE
– Abul Kalam Azad, Program Coordinator, Agricultural and Rural Transformation for Nutrition, Entrepreneurship and Resilience in Bangladesh (PARTNER) Project, DAE
– Md. Sirazul Islam, Additional Director, Gaibandha Upazila
– Md. Khorshed Alam, Deputy Director, Gaibandha Upazila along with Dr. Md Abdul Muyeed, Raihanul Haque Khan, and other RIMES staff members.

During the field visit, farmers shared how the school has helped them use forecasts from the Bangladesh Meteorological Department (BMD), the Bangladesh Agro-Meteorological Information System (BAMIS), and the Khamari mobile application to guide their agricultural decisions. Weather updates via voice messages have enabled timely actions to protect crops and improve yields. Participants also highlighted stronger connections with Sub-Assistant Agriculture Officers (SAAOs), allowing faster resolution of farming issues. Many expressed plans to establish farmer clubs after completing the 24 sessions to sustain knowledge sharing and mutual support.

Through ongoing collaboration between RIMES and DAE, the Agromet FARRM School continues to empower farming communities in Bangladesh, ensuring that climate-smart knowledge is not only learned but effectively applied in practice.