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Climate, Geo-spatial and Biometrics Research

An Overview

The Climate, Geospatial and Biometrics Research Directorate is one of the research directorates in EIAR dedicated to work on climate and geospatial related researches to ensure sustainable agricultural growth and development of the country. Beside the research activities, the directorate works on provision of training and advisory service in the area of climate and geospatial technologies to enhance the capacity of agricultural researchers of the institute. The directorate is well-positioned to carrying out several high profile climate researches, with broad spectra of its missions which provide a strong foundation to address the complexities of climate change, climate variability, and extreme events, thus providing a powerful foundation for application into a wider ranging areas, including application of seasonal climate prediction for farm level decisions, broadening knowledge base on climate through scenario modeling (dynamical and statistical, as well as vulnerability analyses and impact mapping. It undertakes research delivering high-end services on providing geospatial information and advisory that support decision to agro-ecosystem problems and opportunities to support sustainable agricultural growth and development. It works to optimize and maximize of agricultural productivity out of the varying biophysical and socio-economic setups of the country through proper decision support system using geospatial technologies. The ultimate aim of the the research directorate is to support the development of best bet adaptation responses to the changing climate for transformative and sustainable agricultural growth and development in Ethiopia.

The directorate is committed to undertake research that enhances climate resilient agriculture through the provision of climate services required at all scales of interventions, including farm and policy levels with the implementation of geo-spatial science and technology as a research, planning and decision support tool and provide spatial data, synthesized information and knowledge. Currently, our research focused on improving the resilience of cropping systems to climate variability and change. Researchers analyzed climate data from weather stations and different climate models throughout Ethiopia’s farming regions, which made it possible to capture variations among different agroecological zones. Using this information, we were able to produce climate forecasts for individual regions in Ethiopia, project the future frequency and distribution of droughts and create a national climate database management toolkit. In addition, we were actively involved in using this valuable body of research-based evidence to shape the national climate change strategy. The Climate and Geospatial Research Directorate are now in a better position, in terms of knowledge and capacity, to advise the institutions which are working closely with us on climate change. The methodological frameworks, the national climate change database and the research outputs being prepared for publication will further enhance our capacity to play a major role in informing federal, regional and local governments.

Climate and Agro-meteorology

  • Provides climate-smart advisories using ICTs such as SMS, interactive voice response system, website and smartphone to increase the adaptive capacity of farming communities by improving access to information on weather forecasting and climate patterns.
  • Generates higher resolution monthly and seasonal weather forecast and pre assessment of crop and pasture performances.
  • Run agro-meteorological weather stations and collect, organize and store meteorological data to provide weather information which are essential for agricultural research activities.
  • Provide prediction of future climate conditions, based on climate model projections, which are used to understand the potential impacts of climate change for devising adaptation strategies and taking proper actions to minimize climate induced hazard
  • Mainstreaming seasonal climate and weather forecast information into the National Agricultural Extension System.
  • Prediction of drought events through assessment of the past and projection of future for devising an early warning system for informed decision.

Geospatial Research

  • Mapping and generating geospatial information of potential suitable sites for high value and food security crops. Atlas are produced for many important crops that show potential suitable sites across the country. 
  • GIS-based watershed delineation and field characterization for watershed based researches. 
  • Delineation, land use map preparation and geodatabase development of research fields of the research centers for efficient farmland management. 
  • GIS-based resource mapping for field characterization, extent and change studies, planning researches and impact studies. 
  • Collect, organize and store geospatial data which are relevant to agricultural research planning, development and impact studies.