Extension agrometeorology as a contribution to sustainable agriculture

Extension agrometeorology may be defined as that agrometeorology that attends to (i) local suffering from weather and climate and persistent ways to diminish it and (ii) windows of opportunity that (micro)climate offers “on farm”. For both approaches, a combination of local innovations and scientific understanding must be used, in a participatory approach. This should lead to the establishment of agrometeorological services by and with farmers and means first and foremost field work with farmers. To carry it out, we will have to make use of new educational commitments as “Climate Field Shops”, Climate Field Schools/Classes and Agrometeorological Extension Training. These all ask for institutionalization of scientists listening to farmers and training and working with extension agents. To presently remain on the road to sustainable agriculture, in agricultural and social sciences we should, among others, care for policies of establishing and supporting a rural response to climate change and of institutionalization of that response. In the mentioned new educational commitments we should discuss with farmers the local consequences of climate change. Extension agrometeorology should join hands with other extension fields to mobilize production and protection forces in a multi-functional agricultural production. Trees outside forests should play an important role in such production and protection functions where they can be well established.