Agroistok
System of agrometeorological stations in the East and South-East Planning Regions of Macedonia
Description
Agroistok is a system of agrometeorological stations in the East and South-East Planning Regions (i.e. administrative units) of North Macedonia that provides agrometeorological advisory services to farmers, including weather information and forecasts, and notifications of possible plant pest and disease outbreaks via a mobile application (Meteobot) and website. The forecasts cover air temperature, relative humidity, rainfall, atmospheric pressure, wind speed and direction, cloud cover, fog (i.e. visibility), dew point and likelihood of storms.
Technology
Agroistok comprises a network of 11 agrometeorological stations in the East Planning Region and 23 agrometeorological stations in the South-East Planning Region that measure and record weather data and other indicators every 10 minutes that are then sent via General Packet Radio Services (GPRS) technologies to a server for software analysis and the modelling of possible weather and disease forecasts, etc. The collected real-time data and forecasts are then made available through a mobile application (Meteobot) and website as several clusters of information. The Meteobot app is available in the Macedonian, Serbia, Turkish, Romani, English and Russian languages, among many others. Users register with an email address and phone number. The modelling software is updated yearly with new crops depending on needs and trends in the region.
Target
The Centre for Development of East-Planning Region (IPR) has organized several training courses for farmers and other potential users on the use of information garnered from agrometeorological stations. The mobile app has been downloaded by 10 000+ users.
Business model
The mobile app is free to download. Basic weather information is available for free, while access to the disease prediction services is through a paid subscription. The system of agrometeorological stations was funded by the Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation and the Ministry of Local Self-Government.
Impact
The freely available weather information helps farmers better organize such agricultural activities as irrigation or harvesting in the field. The humidity and temperature indicators support farmers in deciding on the right time to harvest, and ensuring that the seeds contain the right percentage of water. This information, together with the disease prediction feature, can support farmers in the timely and accurate response to adverse weather conditions and diseases threatening the health of their crops, vegetables and fruit. This not only reduces the strain on farmers’ resources (financial and human) but also the impact of fertilizers on their lands.
Partners
Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation; The Center for Development of the East-Plan Region (IPR)
Four Betters
Better production
Better environment
