Agrometeorology in the 21st century: workshop summary and recommendations on needs and perspectives

A summary is given about the needs and perspectives for agrometerology in the 21st century as expressed in the papers of the Workshop (published in this volume) and subsequently expanded by invited discussants of, and in general discussions on, these papers during the Workshop. These needs and perspectives have been categorized under the headings ‘Agrometeorological services for agricultural production’ and ‘Agrometeorological support systems to such services’. Four support systems were distinguished: ‘Data’, ‘Research’, ‘Policies’ and ‘Training/Education/Extension’. Issues in agricultural production were differentiated following the classic themes: (1) Land use, as a strategical issue; (2) Choices of farming and cropping systems details and (3) Decisions on day to day operations, both as tactical issues. Needs that were expressed and not challenged were taken as recommendations for action, while perspectives were determined as prospects for the development of means to act on these needs, with indications on how this could be done. © 2000 Elsevier Science B.V. All rights reserved.