Farmers, fishers, beekeepers, and aquafarmers across Dominica are better equipped to face the upcoming dry season following the successful hosting of the Dry Season Climate Outlook Forum (COF), organized by the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries, Blue and Green Economy in partnership with the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO).
Held on December 8–9, 2025, the forum was part of the project Enhancing the Effectiveness of Early Warning Systems to Build Climate Resilience, and aligned with the Gender-responsive Climate-smart Food and Agriculture Systems in the Caribbean (GCAF) initiative, funded by Global Affairs Canada. Building on the National Climate Outlook Forum and the wet-season Agricultural Climate Outlook Forum earlier this year, the dry-season COF focused on strengthening anticipatory action and integrating early warning messages into national climate services.
The opening ceremony on December 9 marked the launch of the farmer-focused segment of the forum. Senior representatives from the Ministry of Agriculture, FAO, and the Dominica Meteorological Office underscored the importance of resilience and data-driven planning.
Permanent Secretary Ryan Anselm emphasized the need to translate climate information into practical action:
“Climate outlook forums such as this are critical to ensuring that our farmers, fishers, beekeepers, and aquafarmers are not merely recipients of climate data, but informed decision-makers. By strengthening the link between early warning systems and agricultural planning, we are reinforcing national resilience and safeguarding livelihoods during the dry season.”
FAO Disaster Risk Management and Resilience Specialist Raisa Spencer highlighted the collaborative nature of the initiative:
“Effective early warning systems depend on collaboration across institutions and sectors. This forum demonstrates how meteorological information, agricultural expertise, and community engagement can come together to support anticipatory action, reduce climate-related losses, and ensure that gender-responsive considerations are integrated across value chains.”
Senior Meteorological Officer Marshall Alexander of the Dominica Meteorological Service stressed the importance of clear communication:
“Seasonal climate outlooks are most impactful when they are clearly interpreted and effectively communicated to end users. Through this forum, we are strengthening the connection between scientific climate information, and the practical decisions farmers and other stakeholders must make during the dry season.”
The two-day event began with technical reviews of dry-season advisories by meteorological specialists, agricultural officers, and extension teams on December 8. On December 9, advisories were formally presented to farmers, beekeepers, fisherfolk, and aquafarmers.
By reinforcing coordination, interpretation, and dissemination of climate information, the forum advanced Dominica’s proactive approach to risk management and climate resilience. The inclusion of GCAF project beneficiaries ensured that advisories reflected on-the-ground realities, supporting timely decision-making and practical adaptation measures ahead of the dry season.
