For the first time in history, the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration of the Department of Science and Technology (DOST-PAGASA) has extended its agrometeorological expertise to other government agencies through the Adapting Philippine Agriculture to Climate Change (APA) Project–a joint initiative led by the Department of Agriculture (DA), DOST-PAGASA, and the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), with support from the Green Climate Fund.
The Basic Agrometeorology Training held from May 19-30 marked a groundbreaking step in the APA Project’s goal of building institutional capacity across government agencies to deliver timely, localized, and farmer-friendly climate information—a critical input for disaster risk reduction in agriculture and fisheries.
Over 40 technical staff from the DA and its attached agencies— such as the Agricultural Training Institute, Bureau of Plant Industry, Bureau of Soils and Water Management, and DA Regional Field Offices-participated in the training.
“The farmers and fisherfolk are the most vulnerable and the poorest,” said DA Assistant Secretary for Operations and National Project Director U-Nichols A. Manalo. “We are now forced to move away from the business-as-usual approach in helping these sectors through weather and climate information that they can better understand and apply in daily activities.”
The training showcases the project’s collaborative effort to expand access to agrometeorological knowledge, that was once limited only to DOST-PAGASA. This initiative empowers key actors, including national government agencies, in developing tailored, science-based advisories for farmers and fisherfolk, thereby boosting the country’s food security and disaster resilience.
Despite the increasing availability of climate information, farmers often receive weather updates that are either too technical or too broad. This limits their ability to make informed decisions during critical periods such as droughts, typhoons, or other climate-related events.
“The APA Project shifts our approach from reactive to proactive building climate resilience through better information, stronger institutions, and empowered communities,” said DOST Secretary Renato Solidum in a video message.
The agromet training complements other APA capacity-building initiatives, such as the Institutional Capacity Assessment and Development Workshop (May 13-14) and the Mainstreaming Environment and Social Safeguards (ESS) and Gender Equality and Social Inclusion (GESI) in Climate Information Services (CIS) Training (May 15-16). These interconnected activities ensure that climate services are not only evidence-based but also inclusive and sustainable.
Targeting 250,000 farmers nationwide, the APA Project promotes equity by committing to the inclusion of 50% women, 25% youth, and 12.5% Indigenous Peoples across its interventions-from climate data interpretation to the delivery of advisories and decision-support tools.
Under the administration of President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr., the government has prioritized science-based solutions and inter-agency collaboration to safeguard agricultural livelihoods against the impacts of climate change.
More than just a training course, the initiative reflects a “whole-of-government” and “whole-of-nation” approach to climate resilience. It lays the groundwork for national agencies, local government units, and farming communities to co-develop weather and climate knowledge products that are both scientifically sound and practically useful.
Held during Farmers and Fisherfolk’s Month, the activity underscores the government’s collective commitment to those on the frontlines of food production ensuring that the support they receive is not only available but also actionable and easy to understand.
“This collaborative initiative is a vital step in our shared mission to equip institutions and ultimately, our farmers and fishers-with the knowledge, systems, and support they need to thrive in the face of climate risks,” said Dr. Lionel Dabbadie, FAO Representative to the Philippines. ### (DA-APA and FAO Philippines)
