Agriculture - Use and Needs of Climate Services
National Consultation on a Framework for Climate Services in
Belize
Presented by: Mr. Andrew Harrison
Climate Change Focal Point
Ministry of Natural Resources & Agriculture
Radisson Fort George
Belize City
30th October to 1st November 2013
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Agro-Forecast Provided to the MNRA
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Agro-Forecast Provided to the MNRA
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Agro-Forecast Provided to the MNRA
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Agro-Forecast Provided to the MNRA
Temperature
Above Normal Temperature can be expected over Belize and her coastal waters for the
month of October 2013.
Temperatures that are expected across the country are as follows:
Northern Areas
40% chance of above normal temperature (above 28.0°C) (oF)
Central and Inland Areas
40% chance of above normal temperature (above 27.2°C)
Southern Areas
40% chance of above normal temperature (above 27.3°C)
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Agro-Forecast Provided to the MNRA
Seasonal Precipitation forecast for OctoberNovember-December is for equal chance of
Normal to Above Normal rainfall to prevail over
the country.
Watches/Warnings: WINDS East - Northeast 10
- 20 knots.
Localizes flooding will continue to affect most
areas of the country. These flood waters can be
damaging to crops and livestocks.
Forecaster: Cumberbatch/ Gentle
Next Update: 31st Thursday 2013 at 12:00pm
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Agro-Forecast Provided to the MNRA
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Commodity Components
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Crop Calendar
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Additional Information that would be Useful in
Agriculture on a Seasonal Basis
Dry season
Downscaled information to a
regional or district level
High temperature alerts
Relative humidity
Wet season
Cold Fronts alerts
Precipitation forecast
Relative humidity/dew point
Evapo-transpiration
Drought alert
Wind direction
Expected rainfall by region
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What Agriculturalists can do to feed into the
improvement of the Met Services
•Collaborate with the Met Office to provide Training of Extension
officers other stakeholders
•Extension Officers can integrate and follow through with the
forecast with farmers (simpler level)
•Network with NEMO on flood prone agricultural land
•Understand the relationship of soil type with high rainfall and dry
spells
•District stations subscribe to monthly weather data – precipitation,
temperature
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Suggestions for the
Meteorological Service
•Consistency of Report
•Make Reports More Graphical
•Consider Other Means Dissemination Of
Information E.G. Digicel D’ Loop
•Modeling for Pest and Disease
•Use Common Measuring Units
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For your attention
Thank You
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