The Government is continuing to invest in research and data-based solutions to strengthen the agricultural sector and support farmers in our country. This was announced during a visit to the Żebbuġ agrometeorological station, one of the stations that form part of the national network for monitoring weather and agro-climatic conditions.
This initiative is being led by the Research and Advisory Services Directorate (RASD) within the Ministry for Agriculture, Fisheries and Animal Rights, through which twelve agrometeorological stations have been installed strategically across Malta and Gozo in order to provide broad geographical coverage of climatic conditions that directly affect agriculture.
The data collected from these stations is processed and analysed by the RASD before being transmitted to the Malta Met Office at Malta International Airport, which through its online platform is making this information accessible to both farmers and the general public. This is possible through a collaboration between the Ministry and the Malta Met Office so that the agrometeorological data can be published alongside other meteorological information available on the official website.
Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Animal Rights Anton Refalo explained that this initiative represents an important step towards a more modern and sustainable agriculture. “Through these stations we are able to provide accurate and real-time information that will help farmers make more informed decisions about the management of their fields.”
Minister Refalo added that in addition to traditional meteorological parameters such as temperature, rainfall, humidity and wind, these stations also collect specialized data related to agriculture such as soil moisture, soil temperature, leaf wetness and variations in temperature and humidity at different levels of the soil.
He explained that this data can be of great help to farmers in the irrigation planning process and in identifying plant disease risks. “All this contributes to making our agriculture more efficient, sustainable and adapted to the climate challenges we are seeing today,” said the Minister.
Minister Refalo concluded by saying that this network of stations is being monitored daily by RASD experts to ensure that the stations are functioning correctly and that the data being collected and provided to the public is accurate and reliable. He stated that such investments demonstrate the Government’s commitment to continue strengthening support for the agricultural sector through the use of innovation, technology and scientific research.
One can visit the dedicated weather stations page on the Malta Met Office website: https://maltametoffice.com/en/weather-stations-agricultural/ .
