1 INSAM The International Society for Agricultural Meteorology (web based) A Short History and Aims of INSAM Kees Stigter, founding president

2 Advisory Working Group of CAgM decided in April 2001 on establishment of INSAM Limitations CAgM Limitations CAgM Limitations agrometeorologists Limitations agrometeorologists Isolation agrometeorologists Isolation agrometeorologists Interaction many more agrometeorologists Interaction many more agrometeorologists Broadening search for umbrella activities Broadening search for umbrella activities Information source Information source Information exchange Information exchange Advertising successes Advertising successes Promote agrometeorology Promote agrometeorology

3 Membership data after website became operational in April 2002 April members from 73 countries April members from 73 countries March March February February March March June June

4 Top twelve member countries India133members India133members Iran Iran Brazil Brazil USA USA China China Italy Italy Six countries with between 20 and 30 members: Six countries with between 20 and 30 members: Argentina, Cuba, Indonesia, Korea, Nigeria, South Africa

5 What successes may we claim? Numbers (will we reach 1000 members?) Numbers (will we reach 1000 members?) Topics: Agromet Market Place Topics: Agromet Market Place News and Highlights What’s new ? Accounts of operational agrometeorology Needs for agrometeorological solutions to farming problems Meetings, vacancies, calls for papers, training opportunities, books, journals, new information Meetings, vacancies, calls for papers, training opportunities, books, journals, new information (all for agrometeorologists)

6 What problems are there? Language limitations (China, Japan, other parts of Asia, French/Spanish/Portuguese speaking countries) Language limitations (China, Japan, other parts of Asia, French/Spanish/Portuguese speaking countries) Attractivity problems (width, orientation) Attractivity problems (width, orientation) Activities through vice-presidents and correspondents Activities through vice-presidents and correspondents Contributions to the web site from members Contributions to the web site from members Legal problems Legal problems Financial problems Financial problems

7 Initiatives Home page renewal every three months Home page renewal every three months Contest on best examples of agrometeorological services (third ongoing) Contest on best examples of agrometeorological services (third ongoing) Socio-economic aspects of agrometeorology Socio-economic aspects of agrometeorology Concentration on lowly- and medium- industrialized countries Concentration on lowly- and medium- industrialized countries Electronic journal (open access) is planned: “Operational and Educational Agrometeorology” (33 people in establishment group) Electronic journal (open access) is planned: “Operational and Educational Agrometeorology” (33 people in establishment group)

8 Electronic Journal Agricultural and Forest Meteorology (Elsevier) for Basic Sciences Agricultural and Forest Meteorology (Elsevier) for Basic Sciences A large number of journals in which Applied Agrometeorology subjects appear (English) A large number of journals in which Applied Agrometeorology subjects appear (English) Down to earth agrometeorology as well: relevancy for agrometeorological services Down to earth agrometeorology as well: relevancy for agrometeorological services Education/training/extension leg is new Education/training/extension leg is new Material filling requirements for new curricula at Universities and lower level training courses (intermediaries, assistants, field personnel) Material filling requirements for new curricula at Universities and lower level training courses (intermediaries, assistants, field personnel)

9www.agrometeorology.org Ordinary membership is free of charge. Ways to increase membership of INSAM: stimulation through National Societies; stimulation through National Societies; membership through working groups; membership through working groups; make membership mandatory/advisable for teachers and post-graduate students etc.; make membership mandatory/advisable for teachers and post-graduate students etc.; stimulate participants in certain lectures to subscribe and use material on this site. stimulate participants in certain lectures to subscribe and use material on this site.

10 However, what we particularly need: more active members contributing issues, items, science, applications, successes, failures, problems, solutions, news etc. from all fields of agrometeorology. However, what we particularly need: more active members contributing issues, items, science, applications, successes, failures, problems, solutions, news etc. from all fields of agrometeorology. INSAM, a market place on the web for agrometeorologists