The project aims to develop and implement a functional agromet advisory service in 2 pilot sites (Paro and Sarpang), assess the Department of Agriculture (DOA) technical capacity for agromet services, and provide training on crop modeling, decision support systems (DSS), and integration of climate information in farming system models to develop adaptive capacity to mitigate climate risks.
Activities include:
Identification of key climate/ weather information relevant to agricultural research and development in Bhutan
Documentation of different cropping systems at the pilot sites, and identification of key production cycles where climate and weather information can lead to improved decision-making
Recommendations for climate products/ forecast systems that the National Center for Hydrology and Meteorology (NCHM) could develop
Review of existing weather, cropping, and other agricultural data at the pilot sites, and identification of data gaps
Development and testing of agromet advisory system
Development and testing of suitable ICT tools and SOP for communicating/ disseminating agromet information and farm advisories to farmers and extension and research officers at the pilot sites
Assessment of DOA technical capacity for agromet services and need to establish an Agromet Unit within DOA, linked with NCHM
Preparation of tender documents for procurement of hardware and software for DSS implementation
Technical guidance to DOA on the analysis of meteorological and agricultural data to prepare agro-advisories
Development of training and capacity development plan
Training for Royal Government of Bhutan (RGOB) officials and research and extension staff on analysis of climate and agriculture data for research use and development of farm advisory services
Support for DOA in creating awareness and sensitizing researchers, extension staff, and farmers on the importance and usefulness of agrometeorology
Preparation of manuals and guidelines for promoting, analyzing and implementing agro-met advisory services
Development of working protocols/ SOP for Agromet Unit and MoAF stakeholders for the DSS
Stakeholder consultations to receive feedback on DSS design and functionality, and to monitor product application
