Dominica’s agricultural producers have gained critical preparedness tools for the upcoming dry season through the successful Dry Season Climate Outlook Forum held December 8-9, 2025. The collaborative event, organized by the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries, Blue and Green Economy with support from the UN Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), marked a significant advancement in climate resilience planning for the island nation.
The forum represented a key component of the broader initiative ‘Enhancing the Effectiveness of Early Warning Systems to Build Climate Resilience,’ which aligns with the Gender-responsive Climate-smart Food and Agriculture Systems in the Caribbean (GCAF) program funded by Global Affairs Canada. This gathering built upon previous climate outlook forums conducted earlier in the year, specifically focusing on dry season challenges facing farmers, fishers, beekeepers, and aquafarmers.
During the opening ceremonies on December 9, senior officials from the Ministry of Agriculture, FAO, and the Dominica Meteorological Office emphasized the transformative potential of data-driven agricultural planning. Permanent Secretary Ryan Anselm articulated the forum’s core mission: “These climate outlook forums ensure our agricultural producers become informed decision-makers rather than passive recipients of climate data. By strengthening connections between early warning systems and farming practices, we’re building national resilience and protecting livelihoods.”
FAO Disaster Risk Management Specialist Raisa Spencer highlighted the collaborative framework: “Effective early warning systems require institutional and sectoral cooperation. This forum demonstrates how meteorological data, agricultural expertise, and community engagement can combine to support anticipatory action, reduce climate-related losses, and integrate gender-responsive considerations throughout value chains.”
Marshall Alexander, Senior Meteorological Officer, stressed communication efficacy: “Seasonal climate outlooks achieve maximum impact when clearly interpreted and effectively communicated to end users. We’re strengthening the vital connection between scientific climate information and practical decision-making during dry season challenges.”
The two-day program commenced with technical reviews of dry season advisories by meteorological specialists, agricultural officers, and extension teams on December 8. The following day featured formal presentations of these tailored advisories to agricultural producers, ensuring practical application of climate intelligence.
Through enhanced coordination, interpretation, and dissemination of climate information, the forum advanced Dominica’s proactive risk management approach. The inclusion of GCAF project beneficiaries guaranteed that advisories reflected ground realities, supporting timely decisions and practical adaptation measures before the dry season’s arrival.