Dissemination of Agrometeorological Information

Much climate data are available that can only be utilized if there is a flow of information to agri-business and farmers. As dissemination is the distribution of information, two-way communication channels are a necessity. The content of the message must be relevant to the decisions of the client. The process should involve the identification of climate sensitive decisions and interactions between the climatologists and the role players to develop technological products that should be evaluated prior to introduction at an operational level. Various modes of delivery can be used including mass and electronic media, as well as group and individual relationships. Dissemination of agrometeorological information is illustrated with examples from the Florida Consortium, FARMSCAPES in Australia, seasonal forecasts in Burkina Faso, and irrigation scheduling in Mexico. Critical factors for successful dissemination include good communication channels, preferably based on a relationship between the agrometeorologists and the role-players in the agricultural industry; and the collaborative development of products that can bridge the gaps and be relevant to climatesensitive decision making in agriculture.