This research area enhances the capacity of national meteorological services, regional climate centres and food security information systems to respond to the information needs of farmers and other agricultural decision-makers. Improved climate-related information and tools contribute to improved early response and contingency finance systems for responding to extreme events, and improved climate screening methods that development funders increasingly require. Advancing this research involves collaboration between agricultural and climate science, and participation of information users.
Expected research outputs include:
- validated methods for seasonal and sub-seasonal prediction of agriculturally-relevant information;
- methods and tools to improve agricultural monitoring systems; forecast impacts of seasonal climate and extreme events on crops and biological threats; and extend the lead time and accuracy of food security early warning systems;
- guidance on interpretation and appropriate use of climate change projections;
- methods, tools and platforms to tailor climate information to agricultural user needs and facilitate access.