Implementation of Agrometeorological Early Warning System for Weather Risk Management in South Korea

The purpose of the farmstead-specific early warning service system for weather risk management is to develop custom-made risk management recommendations for individual farms threatened by climate change and its variability. This system quantifies weather conditions into a "weather risk index" that is customized to crop and its growth stage. When the risk reaches the stage where it can cause any damage to the crops, the system is activated and the corresponding warning messages are delivered to the farmer's mobile phone. The messages are sent with proper recommendations that farmers can utilize to protect their crops against potential damage. Currently, the technology necessary to make the warning system more practical has been developed, including technology for forecasting real-time weather conditions, scaling down of weather data to the individual farm level and risk assessments of specific crops. Furthermore, the scientific know-how has already been integrated into a web-based warning system (http://new.agmet.kr). The system is provided to volunteer farmers with direct, one-on-one weather data and disaster warnings along with relevant recommendations. In 2016, an operational system was established in a rural catchment ($1,500km^2$) in the Seomjin river basin.