The Role of Malawi Meteorological Service Opportunities and Challenges in Serving Financial Risk Transfer Markets By Adams Chavula Malawi Meteorological Services P.O. Box 1808 Blantyre Tel: Fax: Website:

 Provision of high quality Weather and climate information and data for financial risk transfer markets  Upgrade and expand observation network to cover crop growing areas  Capacity building for sustainability of meteorological observing networks  Setting up ClimSoft Database Management System The Role of Malawi Meteorological Service Opportunities and Challenges

 Setup Data Communication system to ensure real-time data reporting to GTS and transaction to stakeholders  Link the Database management system with GIS software for real- time visual display products  Maintain climatic data bank  Use FAO Tool Box to generate Crop Specific Water budget Indices for national crop monitoring and yield forecasting model  The Role of Malawi Meteorological Service Opportunities and Challenges

Developed Data Communication and Infrastructure Plan  A detailed plan to upgrade weather communication and station network has been developed and presented to potential donors  Four stations have been automated and are operational  The World Bank has facilitated funding for procurement of communication equipment and an additional five Automatic Weather Stations within 2008