The value of satellite rainfall estimates in agriculture and food security

Abstract

Agriculture needs to produce more and more food not only to satisfy the current needs, but also to cope with the demand from the increasing population on the planet. However, agriculture today faces multiple challenges. Climate change and variability (extremes) feature at the top of these challenges because agriculture is particularly dependent on the climate. Stability of the food supply system as well as people’s livelihoods could be disrupted by climate shocks such as droughts and floods. Stability of food production and people’s livelihoods would require making agriculture resilient to climate trends and shocks through adaptation to climate change and finding effective ways to combat uncertainties associated with climate extremes such as droughts and floods. This, in turn, would require effective use of climate information that would enable agricultural practitioners to make better informed decisions at national, institutional and community levels. Provision of weather and climate information will depend on the availability of climate data. Rainfall is one of the major climatic parameters that has a major influencing factor in agriculture. However, rainfall measurements from station observations are inadequate over many parts of the world, and particularly over Africa, due to sparse or non-existent station networks. Satellite-based rainfall products have been used increasingly to complement or replace station observations. The main strength of satellite rainfall estimates is that they provide good spatial coverage, including remote areas, and are freely available. Satellite rainfall estimates are being used to support climate services for agriculture and food security in many different ways. This paper presents some specific examples that include a participatory planning process that is helping farmers in Rwanda to manage climate risks, and weather-based index insurance.