From Data to Action: Empowering Zambia’s Meteorologists with Skills and Tools

In November 2024, the Zambia Meteorological Department (ZMD), with support from AICCRA, held a capacity-building session in Lusaka to address challenges in GIS skills and advisory dissemination. This aimed to strengthen decision-making in agriculture amidst climate risks.

In a rapidly changing climate, the ability to accurately interpret and disseminate weather and climate data is critical for decision-making. This is particularly true in Zambia, where agriculture remains a cornerstone of livelihoods and economic stability, yet is highly vulnerable to climate variability and extreme weather events. Recognizing this challenge, the Zambia Meteorological Department (ZMD) has taken significant steps toward addressing gaps in climate data management and dissemination, with support from the Alliance’s recent capacity-building initiatives.

The Challenges: Bridging Gaps in Agromet Services

The Zambia Meteorological Department (ZMD) plays a vital role in delivering weather and climate information that is essential for decision-making in agriculture and other climate-sensitive sectors. However, the department has faced significant challenges that have hampered the effectiveness of its services. One of the primary obstacles has been limited expertise in Geographic Information Systems (GIS). While ZMD collects valuable weather data, insufficient proficiency in GIS has made it difficult for meteorologists to analyze spatial patterns of weather parameters efficiently. This limitation has delayed the generation of timely weather maps, which are crucial for informing stakeholders promptly.

During a meeting with ZMD held on July 2024, Ms Micah Namukoko highlighted that “the generation of maps for bulletins takes time due to the limited number of experts in GIS.”

Another significant challenge lies in the inefficient dissemination of advisories. The process required extensive manual effort, leaving staff overwhelmed as they managed multiple communication channels simultaneously to reach various stakeholder groups. This lack of automation not only strained resources but also increased the risk of delays, reducing the impact of critical climate information when it was needed most.