FAO announces plans to launch first local real-time weather alert system for West Bank farmers
One of 10 weather stations newly installed and/or upgraded in Palestine by FAO and GCF
©FAO/Husam AlHudhud
15/10/2025
At least 5 000 smallholder farmers in the West Bank will soon receive real-time weather alerts directly to their smartphone as part of a climate-smart initiative from the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO).
Funded by the Green Climate Fund (GCF), the initiative is the first localized real-time weather alert system in the Near East and North Africa (NENA) region. It is implemented in partnership with the Palestinian Ministry of Agriculture (MoA), the Environment Quality Authority (EQA) and the Palestinian Meteorological Department (PMD).
“An estimated 90 percent of all herding and farming families in the West Bank, or more than 100 000 families, have recently lost income amid the ongoing crisis. One of the main reasons for this is a decrease in crop production, with climate change being one of the most significant drivers. Families require support from FAO and resource partners like the Green Climate Fund to minimize avoidable losses and protect their livelihoods”, says Ciro Fiorillo, Head of Office, FAO West Bank and Gaza Strip.
Every year, Palestinian farmers lose an average of more than USD 5 million due to crop destruction from extreme weather events, according to data from the MoA. Much of this damage is preventable. However, Palestine has long lacked the meteorological infrastructure to provide farmers with timely weather updates needed for emergency preparedness. Smallholder farmers, the backbone of Palestine’s agricultural economy and cultural heritage, face increasing uncertainty as weather patterns grow more extreme and unpredictable.
To address this, FAO, the MoA, the EQA and the PMD are rolling out a real-time agro-meteorological monitoring and alert system, with generous funding from the GCF. The system expands weather-monitoring stations (seven new stations and three upgraded stations) across major agricultural zones. The stations collect real-time data mainly on rainfall, temperature, humidity, wind and other weather variables. The processed data will generate localized forecasts, early warnings and actionable recommendations, delivered through mobile alerts and agricultural extension services.
The initiative will culminate with the launch of a smartphone application run by the MoA that will notify farmers of unusual and extreme weather and provide guidance to prevent crop loss. For example, the application will be able to warn farmers about unexpected overnight frost and advise on measures that can be taken to prevent crops’ ruin.
The alert system will initially be piloted among 5 000 West Bank farmers, with significant opportunity for national scaleup in collaboration with local telecommunications providers.
“FAO’s initiative with the Green Climate Fund aligns with our commitment to aid and development that prioritize environmental sustainability, food security and ‘green’ job creation. We look forward to continuing this partnership with GCF and other resource partners”, said Dr. Azzam Saleh Ayasa, Head of Programme, FAO West Bank and Gaza Strip.
FAO’s real-time weather alert initiative is implemented under the project “Enhancing Adaptation Planning and Adoption of Climate Resilient Agriculture in Palestine” (2022–2026). Funded by the GCF, the project aims to protect Palestinian farmers’ production and livelihoods by introducing innovative, climate-resilient agricultural practices.
Funded by the Green Climate Fund (GCF), the initiative is the first localized real-time weather alert system in the Near East and North Africa (NENA) region. It is implemented in partnership with the Palestinian Ministry of Agriculture (MoA), the Environment Quality Authority (EQA) and the Palestinian Meteorological Department (PMD).
“An estimated 90 percent of all herding and farming families in the West Bank, or more than 100 000 families, have recently lost income amid the ongoing crisis. One of the main reasons for this is a decrease in crop production, with climate change being one of the most significant drivers. Families require support from FAO and resource partners like the Green Climate Fund to minimize avoidable losses and protect their livelihoods”, says Ciro Fiorillo, Head of Office, FAO West Bank and Gaza Strip.
Every year, Palestinian farmers lose an average of more than USD 5 million due to crop destruction from extreme weather events, according to data from the MoA. Much of this damage is preventable. However, Palestine has long lacked the meteorological infrastructure to provide farmers with timely weather updates needed for emergency preparedness. Smallholder farmers, the backbone of Palestine’s agricultural economy and cultural heritage, face increasing uncertainty as weather patterns grow more extreme and unpredictable.
To address this, FAO, the MoA, the EQA and the PMD are rolling out a real-time agro-meteorological monitoring and alert system, with generous funding from the GCF. The system expands weather-monitoring stations (seven new stations and three upgraded stations) across major agricultural zones. The stations collect real-time data mainly on rainfall, temperature, humidity, wind and other weather variables. The processed data will generate localized forecasts, early warnings and actionable recommendations, delivered through mobile alerts and agricultural extension services.
The initiative will culminate with the launch of a smartphone application run by the MoA that will notify farmers of unusual and extreme weather and provide guidance to prevent crop loss. For example, the application will be able to warn farmers about unexpected overnight frost and advise on measures that can be taken to prevent crops’ ruin.
The alert system will initially be piloted among 5 000 West Bank farmers, with significant opportunity for national scaleup in collaboration with local telecommunications providers.
“FAO’s initiative with the Green Climate Fund aligns with our commitment to aid and development that prioritize environmental sustainability, food security and ‘green’ job creation. We look forward to continuing this partnership with GCF and other resource partners”, said Dr. Azzam Saleh Ayasa, Head of Programme, FAO West Bank and Gaza Strip.
FAO’s real-time weather alert initiative is implemented under the project “Enhancing Adaptation Planning and Adoption of Climate Resilient Agriculture in Palestine” (2022–2026). Funded by the GCF, the project aims to protect Palestinian farmers’ production and livelihoods by introducing innovative, climate-resilient agricultural practices.