Farmers Urged to Download MET Service Weather App

The Rural Agricultural Development Authority (RADA) is encouraging farmers to download the Meteorological Service of Jamaica’s Mobile App to monitor changing weather patterns.

“You can go to the Google Playstore and download it, and based on your location, it will give you what is happening up to about five days within your area,” said Senior RADA Plant Health and Food Safety Officer, Francine Webb.

She told JIS News that farmers can get alerts, receive updates on temperature changes and humidity levels.

“It is a very useful app, and from it you can also tell when you are likely to experience precipitation. I would encourage everybody – both farmers and non-farmers – to download the Jamaica weather app. Put your location in or turn your location on so that it will give you information for your specific location,” Ms. Webb said.

Using features, such as approved weather monitoring apps, are crucial in helping farmers to plan their daily activities. The app is also available for Apple users.

Meanwhile, Ms. Webb reminds farmers that they should continue to implement disaster preparation measures.

These include securing irrigation equipment, maintaining drainage systems, reinforcing farm infrastructure, securing loose items and developing a disaster or emergency plan based on the size and type of operation.

“That is something that’s important to document so that you can jump into gear, once it is necessary. It’s important to plan, and we are able and willing to assist you in that development as well. So please get in touch with us,” Ms. Webb said.

The Senior Director further advises farmers to harvest mature crops.

“It’s important to partner with RADA to see if you could go into value-added services outside of the season. If your crops are mature and your market is not as secure, we can help in securing markets, looking at value-added and storage facilities,” Ms. Webb pointed out.