CARIGARA, LEYTE — Farmers and local officials in the municipality can now harness precise, localized climate data following the installation of Carigara’s first-ever real-time weather station. Spearheaded by the Department of Science and Technology (DOST) Eastern Visayas through Project SARAI, the Automatic Weather Station (AWS) was officially set up at Barangay Lower Hiraan on September 30, 2026. The landmark deployment was led by DOST key specialists alongside local government representatives, including Municipal Agriculturist Ms. Josefina Josol.
Empowering Climate-Smart Agriculture and Real-Time Monitoring
The newly installed AWS is engineered to deliver near real-time weather and climate information designed to optimize crop production, minimize damage exposure, and support targeted agricultural research. Integrated with the SARAI Knowledge Portal, the facility tracks comprehensive six-day daily forecasts alongside satellite-driven agricultural monitoring to evaluate crop health and spot vegetation or water stress. Furthermore, the system incorporates ensemble forecasting to generate municipality-specific rainfall outlooks and actionable guidelines for crop, nutrient, and water management.
Sustaining Local Resilience Through Science and Training
To ensure the long-term success of the initiative, DOST officials also conducted comprehensive training sessions covering the operation and maintenance of the equipment for local agricultural and disaster risk management personnel. By embedding advanced meteorological tools into municipal planning, Carigara joins a growing network of climate-resilient communities in Eastern Visayas equipped to make informed, data-driven agricultural decisions.
