The Rwanda Meteorology Agency on Thursday launched a household survey
for an economic analysis on benefits of weather and climate information
to be conducted in some selected 15 districts across the East African
country and which are mostly affected by natural disasters linked to
climate.
According to the Director General of the Rwanda Meteorology Agency, John
Ntaganda Semafara the objective is to assess and monitor the economic
benefits of meteorological services as well as increase awareness of
weather and climate information within current and potential user
communities.It pointed that the survey gives an in-depth analysis to improve the range of weather and climate information available to inform decision making at all levels in Rwanda and promote its understanding and application.
The survey highlights the current challenges faced by the meteorological department to know how many farmers in the country are receiving forecasts and how many use them to plan their production.
Speaking at the occasion, the head of Weather and Climate Services department, Anthony Twahirwa, explained that this survey, the first ever conducted in Rwanda is an opportunity to gather data on whether information being provided by Meteo Rwanda meet farmers’ needs.
"The purpose is assess they (farmers) are getting the valuable benefit of using weather information in their activities," he said.
The results of the household survey shall be available by the end of December 2017, after data analysis and interpretation,it said.
Official figures released by the Ministry of Disaster Management and Refugees Affairs. indicates that natural disasters have wreaked havoc in Rwanda in last September killing 5 people, destroying about 1,000 houses and 892 hectares of crops.
Source: PANAPRESS
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