Farmers and fisherfolk stand to benefit from more timely and actionable weather and climate information as the Department of Agriculture (DA) and the Department of Science and Technology – Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (DOST-PAGASA) formalized a data-sharing partnership to strengthen the delivery of climate information to the agriculture and fisheries sector.
The two agencies recently signed a Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) on weather and climate data-sharing under the Adapting Philippine Agriculture to Climate Change (APA) Project, a seven-year collaborative project of DA, DOST-PAGASA, and the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), with support from the Green Climate Fund (GCF).
The agreement will facilitate the regular sharing and joint use of weather and climate data to support agricultural planning and decision-making.
The agreement will facilitate the regular sharing and joint use of weather and climate data to support agricultural planning and decision-making.
It also formalizes the joint generation, release, and dissemination of agrometeorological advisories through DA’s National Climate Information Service (CIS) Center for Agriculture and Fisheries Sector, regional and provincial CIS Centers, and the DOST-PAGASA.
“This agreement fortifies the foundation for a more responsive CIS system, coupled with science-based and sound agricultural advisories that will help farmers and fisherfolk prepare for, anticipate, and manage climate risks.”
“Climate resilience begins with ensuring that the right information reaches the users at the right time. This agreement fortifies the foundation for a more responsive CIS system, coupled with science-based and sound agricultural advisories that will help farmers and fisherfolk prepare for, anticipate, and manage climate risks,” said Assistant Secretary for Operations and APA National Project Director U-Nichols Manalo.
For the APA Project, the agreement marks an important step toward ensuring that weather and climate data and information guide the development of localized, context-specific, and practical advisories that farmers can use in farm planning and decision-making.
The APA Project aims to strengthen the resilience of vulnerable farming communities, including women, youth, and Indigenous Peoples, by improving access to climate information and supporting the adoption of Climate Resilient Agriculture practices.
The MOA is expected to contribute to the development of long-term policies, systems, and institutional arrangements for agricultural weather and climate data sharing.
It also reinforces the commitment of both agencies to strengthening climate-informed decision-making among vulnerable agricultural communities, improving their resilience, and protecting their livelihoods.
