Weather data helps farmers to improve their productivity
Weather data and advisory service project
Description
Caritas is a weather data and advisory service project designed to improve agricultural productivity and climate resilience in Tajikistan by deploying low-cost, open-source weather stations, providing real-time data for local forecasts, and delivering tailored weather-water-climate services to smallholder farmers and rural communities. The project supports food security and rural livelihoods by enabling better decision-making for planting, irrigation, and risk reduction.
Technology
The initiative uses a network of low-cost, open-source automated weather stations that collect meteorological data, including temperature, precipitation and humidity. Data are processed through open-source software systems and integrated with geospatial tools and analytical platforms to generate localized forecasts and advisory information. The system is designed to be locally maintained and scalable, enabling continuous data collection and use at community and institutional levels
Target
The initiative targets rural communities and farming households in climate-vulnerable regions of Tajikistan, with a focus on farmers whose livelihoods depend on weather-sensitive agricultural production. Public authorities also benefit from improved access to localized weather and climate information.
Business model
The project is funded by the Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation and Caritas Switzerland, with additional support from MeteoSwiss and partners. The project employs a fee-for-service model for Weather Water Climate Services (WWCS) to ensure sustainability, while initial deployment is grant-funded.
Impact
The initiative contributes to improved access to localized weather and climate information for agricultural decision-making in Tajikistan. Project documentation and field observations report that the use of weather-based advisory services supports farmers in adjusting agricultural practices, including timing of sowing and harvesting, in response to changing weather conditions. In some project areas, participating farmers report improvements in soil and water management practices and reduced exposure to climate-related risks such as erosion and flooding. The deployment of a nationwide network of low-cost weather stations supports more accurate local forecasts and the provision of weather-water-climate services for agricultural users, contributing to strengthened climate resilience of rural livelihoods.
Partners
MeteoSwiss; Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation (SDC); Tajik Hydrometeorological Agency; ECMWF; ICARDA; WSL/SLF
Four Betters
Better environment
Better life
Better production
