Climate forum pushes for more usable, accessible climate information for farmers

Whenever strong typhoons, droughts, or heavy rains destroy crops, one issue consistently resurfaces: despite the abundance of climate information, gaps remain in making it truly usable for farmers. With the Department of Agriculture (DA) reporting ₱29.99 billion in annual agricultural losses over the last decade, the need to transform available climate information into timely, practical guidance is more urgent than ever.

This was the focus of the 2025 Annual Forum on Climate Resilient Agriculture (CRA) and Climate Information Services (CIS) held from November 24 to 26, 2025, with the theme: From Climate Data to Agricultural Decisions. The forum, which coincided with the observance of the Global Warming and Climate Change Consciousness Week, was jointly organized by DOST-PAGASA, the Department of Agriculture, and the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) through the Adapting Philippine Agriculture to Climate Change (APA) Project.

𝗚𝗿𝗼𝘂𝗻𝗱 𝗿𝗲𝗮𝗹𝗶𝘁𝗶𝗲𝘀 𝗳𝗿𝗼𝗺 𝗳𝗮𝗿𝗺𝗲𝗿𝘀 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗹𝗼𝗰𝗮𝗹 𝗴𝗼𝘃𝗲𝗿𝗻𝗺𝗲𝗻𝘁𝘀

During a panel discussion, Fedrihc Cureg Jr., a young farmer from Region II, shared how consecutive typhoons Ferdie, Gener, and Helen in 2024 resulted in a 95 percent loss in rice production. Recently, days before Super Typhoon Uwan struck, farmers in Isabela were able to harvest early after receiving advisories, saving part of their yield from severe flooding. However, his grandfather—unaware of the incoming typhoon—had already planted and applied inputs, all of which were washed away.

For Fedrihc, reliable climate advisories are vital. “They reduce crop failure, improve yield, and help us become more resilient,” he said.

Nancy Ao-wat, Provincial Agriculturist of Kalinga, stressed the need for more Automated Weather Stations (AWS) to produce precise, location-specific data.

“Kalinga relies heavily on rice, coffee, corn, and cacao. Accurate climate data helps us guide farmers, especially during typhoons,” she said. “Farmers look to LGUs for answers. But without complete and reliable data, our decisions are limited.”

Jomarie Mangag, a young fruit and vegetable farmer and member of an Indigenous Cultural Community in Benguet Province, described challenges in highland agriculture, particularly undap or frost—sudden temperature drops that cause fruit rot, pest outbreaks, and disease. She emphasized the importance of advisories that reflect conditions specific to remote, upland areas.

𝗖𝗹𝗶𝗺𝗮𝘁𝗲 𝗿𝗶𝘀𝗸𝘀 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗻𝗲𝗲𝗱 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝘂𝘀𝗮𝗯𝗹𝗲 𝗶𝗻𝗳𝗼𝗿𝗺𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻

In his message, 𝗗𝗔 𝗨𝗻𝗱𝗲𝗿𝘀𝗲𝗰𝗿𝗲𝘁𝗮𝗿𝘆 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝗢𝗽𝗲𝗿𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻𝘀 𝗘𝗻𝗴𝗿. 𝗥𝗼𝗴𝗲𝗿 𝗡𝗮𝘃𝗮𝗿𝗿𝗼 highlighted a recurring problem: climate information is often too technical for end users.

“We must move beyond simple information dissemination,” he said. “Sustained productivity depends on translating complex climate science into practical actions on the ground.”

Forum participants echoed this and stressed the need for localized and context-specific advisories, better communication channels for remote and low-connectivity areas, training for farmers and extension workers on interpreting forecasts, and improved training on Climate Resilient Agriculture.

As DOST-PAGASA’s Ranshelle Parcon emphasized: “We don’t need to memorize technical terms. What matters is understanding what the weather will do, not just what the weather will be.”

𝗗𝗶𝗴𝗶𝘁𝗮𝗹 𝘁𝗼𝗼𝗹𝘀 𝗼𝗽𝗲𝗻𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗻𝗲𝘄 𝗽𝗼𝘀𝘀𝗶𝗯𝗶𝗹𝗶𝘁𝗶𝗲𝘀

FAO Representative Dr. Lionel Dabbadie underscored how digital transformation can help farmers shift from reactive to proactive climate action. He cited an FAO global report showing how digital tools can convert complex datasets into real-time, hyper-local, actionable intelligence.

“We may never stop storms from coming, but we can predict them and act early to protect lives and livelihoods,” he said, stressing the need for stronger infrastructure, capacity development, and partnerships.

𝗗𝗮𝘁𝗮 𝘀𝗵𝗮𝗿𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗰𝗼𝗹𝗹𝗮𝗯𝗼𝗿𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻

A major challenge raised in the forum is the fragmentation of climate data systems. Although many government agencies collect climate information, data-sharing protocols, ownership policies, and coordination mechanisms remain weak.

Annalisa Solis of DOST-PAGASA explained: “Climate data are already there, but using them correctly—and using them where it matters—is another story.”

Participants agreed that addressing these gaps requires better collaboration among government agencies, LGUs, research organizations, and local communities. They also emphasized the importance of co-creating climate advisories with LGUs and farming communities to ensure information is understandable, relevant, and aligned with on-the-ground realities.

𝗟𝗼𝗼𝗸𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗮𝗵𝗲𝗮𝗱

DOST-PAGASA Administrator Dr. Nathaniel Servando announced that the forum will be an annual event in order to sustain dialogue and collaborative action for climate-informed agriculture.

The yearly event would aim to strengthen data systems, enhance farmer training, improve extension services, and develop climate information products that farmers can easily understand, access, and apply.