DUSHANBE (TCA) — An automatic agrometeorology station of pilot agrometeorological network has been launched in Tursunzoda district of Tajikistan with the support of the European Union (EU), the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) and in close collaboration with the Agency for Hydrometeorology of the Tajik Committee for Environmental Protection, the Delegation of the European Union to Tajikistan said.
The pilot agrometeorological network intends to introduce new approaches for collecting and analyzing weather data to provide early warning to farmers on climate, plant diseases and yield forecasting.
The pilot network consists of three automatic agrometeorology weather stations, which are installed in three different regions with specific crop patterns – vineyards in Tursunzoda district, apricots in Konibodom district of the Sughd region and cotton in Jaloliddin Balkhi district of the Khatlon region.
The launch of the agrometeorology stations in Konibodom and Jaloliddin Balkhi districts is expected to be held on 2nd and 4th of August 2019.
The application of agrometeorology to agriculture is essential, since every facet of agricultural activity depends on the weather. With careful planning and research, agrometeorology helps farmers meet the world’s demand for food and other agricultural products. Unpredictable weather patterns, caused by climate change and other meteorological phenomena, have increased the need for precise weather data.
“The European Union delegation is working closely with FAO and National partners to establish an effective and sustainable pilot agrometeorological system in Tajikistan. Once installed, this system is intended to reinforce the agricultural production in Tajikistan, by providing proactive measures that keep the agricultural sector less influenced by weather hazards, especially drought,” emphasized EU Ambassador in Tajikistan Marilyn Josefson. “I hope this experience will be copied to other regions in Tajikistan in a near future to broaden the spectrum of coverage of agrometeorological observations and empower the agricultural sector,” continued Josefson.
“The pilot agrometeorological network is an essential element for proper planning, development and management of agricultural activities in the country. By applying data on weather and climate in general, farmers can take proper measures to ensure sustainability of their farm management, can increase yield and produce larger quality harvests,” said FAO Representative in Tajikistan, Oleg Guchgeldiyev.
