User Requirements for Agro meteorological services in sub-Sahara Africa
Oyebola adebola Elemide
Federal college of agriculture along Oba ile road Akure Ondo state Nigeria
E-mail: [email protected]
RESULTS
INTRODUCTION
Agro meteorologist should ensure that their
Climate is an integral part of the crop-soil-environment triangle .
services
are
appropriate
for
their
user
community.
Crop development and yield rest on efficient crop management practices
and this is directly affected by the vagaries of weather. See Figure 1,2,5 Only where the users need are satisfied can agro
AIM
meteorologist researchers justify their budgets.
This paper summaries the climatic and agricultural
situation in the sub-Sahara Africa and outlines some agro
meteorological parameters and agricultural activities that
are directly and indirectly influencing the weather.
looking to the feature, internet will become an
important medium to distribution of information in
sub-Sahara Africa.
METHODS
Appropriate farming system and decision support
system will form the mainstay of
Massive
amounts of agro meteorological data are
collected annually on national basis in many countries in
sub Sahara Africa .
It is essential for agro meteorologists to make sure that the
utilization of these data justifies the cost of its collection ,
storage and maintenance.
Figure1
Agrometeorological users
in sub Sahara Africa
ANALYSIS
Information helps users reach decisions that
most profitable under actual circumstances .
will prove
Recent developments that have a major
bearing on user requirement is the current
concern for increasing food supply
in
developing countries.
Agro meteorological information is of economic value only
through its effective use in the decision making process
and this will only occur if users receive information in
suitable time and form to translate it into profitable action.
See figure 3 and 4
Figure 2
World Map showing
Agricultural Users
Figure 5 World Map Agricultural User
Country Distribution
Figure 4 World Map Climate Distribution
WCRP Open Science Conference
CONCLUSION
Agriculture is probably the most weather
dependent of all human activities , use
requirements for
agro meteorological
services are numerous and varied.
Figure 3 World Map
In order
to adequately meet the us
errequirement agro meteorologist have to
adopt a bottom-up approach, shift from data
to information, operation of forecasts and
promotion of pro-active action.
Improved communication between farmers,
policymakers , extension agent ,nongovernmental organizations and researchers
is crucial to continuously
update and
improve the nature and quality of information
provided to the user.
FAO ,WMO and other international
organizations should play a central role to
favor collaboration across borders,
institutions in sub Sahara Africa.