The Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations
(FAO), supported by the Green Climate Fund (GCF), has announced the rollout of
Palestine’s first localized, real-time weather alert system aimed at protecting
West Bank farmers from climate-induced crop losses, with initial coverage for
5,000 smallholder farmers. This initiative marks a significant step
towards climate-smart agricultural practices in the Near East and North Africa
(NENA) region, addressing the increasing unpredictability of weather patterns
and their impact on Palestinian agriculture.
Introduction to the Initiative
As reported by FAO’s official website on October 14, 2025,
the project aims to establish a comprehensive agro-meteorological monitoring
and alert system across Palestine. Funded by the GCF, the system is a
pioneering effort tailored to the needs of Palestinian farmers and represents
the first such initiative in Palestine, and in the wider NENA region. The
project is being implemented in partnership with the Palestinian Ministry of
Agriculture (MoA), the Environment Quality Authority (EQA), and the Palestinian
Meteorological Department.
Ciro Fiorillo, Head of Office of FAO West Bank and GazaStrip, explained that
“an estimated 90 percent of all herding and farming families in the West Bank, or more than 100,000 families, have recently suffered income losses due to climate-related crop destruction,”
attributing
much of the damage to climate change’s increasing variability and extremity.
According to data from the MoA, Palestinian farmers lose an average of over USD
5 million annually because of extreme weather events, much of which could be
mitigated with timely weather information.
The Need for Climate-Resilient Agriculture in Palestine
Palestinian farmers, particularly smallholders, form the
backbone of the country’s agricultural economy and cultural heritage. However,
the ongoing climate crisis, marked by unpredictable rainfall, temperature
fluctuations, and severe weather phenomena, has heightened their vulnerability.
Until now, Palestine has lacked robust meteorological infrastructure capable of
offering timely weather alerts to enable farmers to prepare and respond to
extreme weather conditions.
The absence of a regionalised alert system has exacerbated
crop losses, as farmers are often unaware of impending adverse weather until it
is too late. Considering Palestine’s geographic and economic context, the
introduction of a real-time alert system aligns with broader efforts to foster
climate resilience and sustainable agricultural development.
Implementation of the Weather Alert System
The new initiative involves the installation of ten new or
upgraded weather stations across Palestine’s key agricultural zones, including
seven new stations and three upgraded facilities. These stations will gather
real-time data on various weather parameters, including rainfall, temperature,
humidity, and wind speed. This data will be processed to generate localized
forecasts, early warning alerts, and actionable recommendations, which will be
delivered directly to farmers’ smartphones and through agricultural extension
services.
The information dissemination will be facilitated by a
smartphone application, developed by the MoA, designed to notify farmers of
extreme weather conditions such as unexpected frost, droughts, or heavy storms.
The app aims to guide farmers on protective measures to prevent crop damage,
thereby potentially reducing crop losses and increasing resilience to climate
variability.
Pilot Phase and Future Scaling
The initial phase will pilot the system among 5,000 farmers
in the West Bank, with plans for extensive national scale-up in collaboration
with local telecom operators. This pilot will serve as a test bed for refining
the alert mechanisms and assessing the farmers’ response to real-time warnings,
laying the groundwork for broader deployment across Palestinian agricultural
regions.
Dr. Azzam Saleh Ayasa, Head of Programme at FAO West Bank and Gaza, highlighted that this project aligns with FAO’s commitment to environmental sustainability, food security, and green job creation.
“We look forward to continuing our partnership with the GCF and other resource partners,” he stated
Broader Context and Significance
This climate-smart initiative is part of the broader FAO project
“Enhancing Adaptation Planning and Adoption of Climate Resilient Agriculture in Palestine”
(2022–2026), which aims to introduce innovative
practices to mitigate climate risks and promote sustainable agriculture. The
project reflects FAO’s ongoing efforts to combine technological innovation with
policy support to bolster resilience in vulnerable communities.
The development of the weather alert system in Palestine is
consistent with similar efforts by FAO in other regions. For instance, FAO has
recently launched its ‘Risk Monitor’ platform, which integrates real-time data,
expert analysis, and automated alerts to manage food security risks globally.
Expert and Stakeholder Perspectives
Ciro Fiorillo, FAO’s West Bank and Gaza representative, pointed out the critical importance of such initiatives, noting that
“climate change is one of the most significant drivers of decreasing crop yields in Palestine, and timely information is essential to mitigate losses”.
Local authorities have expressed optimism about the
project’s potential to transform agricultural practices in Palestine. The
Palestinian Ministry of Agriculture has committed to integrating the weather
alerts into its extension services, ensuring farmers receive consistent and
reliable updates.
The upcoming launch of Palestine’s first localised real-time weather alert system signifies a landmark advancement in climate resilience for West Bank farmers. Built through international cooperation and technological innovation, the system is expected to minimise the devastating impacts of extreme weather on agriculture, thereby supporting the livelihoods of thousands of farming families and preserving Palestine’s agricultural heritage for future generations