Work packages & Main objectives

AGROFORECAST is structured in four workpackages.

Figure: AGROFORECAST work packages (WP)

The workpackages in more detail:

WP1: Stakeholder analysis and database development

Objective 1.1: Developing project database on abiotic/biotic weather related impacts, socio-economic and ecological characteristics of target farming systems
Objective 1.2: Identifying the key weather-related decisions and the needs and expectations of farmers

WP2: Development and validation of downscaled seasonal forecasts

Objective 2.1: O 2.1 Implementation and application of two different downscaling approaches for seasonal ensemble forecasts: i) statistical downscaling using high resolution topography and fingerprint downscaling methods and ii) dynamical downscaling with a soil model
Objective 2.2: Create and provide spatial homogeneous data sets (1km grid for the defined test regions) of the atmospheric parameters relevant for the crop models. On the temporal scale, INCA analyses will be combined with the monthly updated 7-months downscaled seasonal ensemble forecasts (from Nov 2017 onwards) to allow seasonal computation for the crop models.
Objective 2.3: Validation of ensemble forecast variables at meteorological stations to quantify the added value of the downscaling approaches
Objective 2.4: Preparing and analysing applied OEKS climate scenarios for 2050s (BOKU-Met)

WP3: Development of tailored agro-meteorological forecast products on different lead time scales at farm level

Objective 3.1: Evaluating agrometeorological indicator performance under weather forecast lead times in regard to real weather
Objective 3.2: Evaluating agro-meteorological indicators under weather forecast lead times in regard to stakeholder needs
Objective 3.3: Improving and testing the developed set of indicators for decision making in agriculture from policy to farm level (stakeholder involvement)
Objective 3.4: Evaluating the ecological benefits of tested set of indicators in view of smart farming options considering adaptation and mitigation potentials

WP4: Dissemination and evaluation of tailored forecasts

Objective 4.1: Effective dissemination and communication of forecast products
Objective 4.2: Evaluation of weather forecasts
Objective 4.3: Joint evaluation of the benefits of forecast products