1

Agriculture - Use and Needs of Climate Services

National Consultation on a Framework for Climate Services

in Belize

Presented by: Mr. Andrew HarrisonClimate Change Focal Point

Ministry of Natural Resources & AgricultureRadisson Fort George

Belize City30th October to 1st November 2013

2

Agro-Forecast Provided to the MNRA

3

Agro-Forecast Provided to the MNRA

4

Agro-Forecast Provided to the MNRA

5

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)

Agro-Forecast Provided to the MNRA

6

Seasonal Precipitation forecast for October-November-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/ GentleNext Update: 31st Thursday  2013 at 12:00pm

Agro-Forecast Provided to the MNRA

7

Agro-Forecast Provided to the MNRA

8

Commodity Components

9

10

11

Crop Calendar

12

Additional Information that would be Useful in Agriculture on a Seasonal Basis

Dry season Wet seasonDownscaled information to a regional or district level

Cold Fronts alerts

High temperature alerts Precipitation forecastRelative humidity Relative humidity/dew point

Evapo-transpirationDrought alert Wind directionExpected rainfall by region

13

•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

What Agriculturalists can do to feed into the improvement of the Met Services

14

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

15

For your attention Thank You