Join the Rain for Africa (R4A) events on 9 and 10 February 2017 – Pretoria, South Africa

Organisations such as Agri-SA, Grain SA, AFASA, NERPO, water management bodies, municipalities, insurance companies and various government departments have already been invited. If you are interested to participate as a perspective stakeholder, you have a choice to participate in the R4A Technical Meeting and or the R4A Stakeholder Engagement Meeting.

1. R4A Technical Meeting

Date: 9 February 2017
Venue: Venue in Pretoria will be confirmed

2. R4A Stakeholder Engagement Meeting

Date: 10 February 2017
Venue: Venue in Pretoria will be confirmed

Rain for Africa: Weather and water information for 125.000 small holder farmers

Rain for Africa (R4A) is a project that envisages to make integrated weather and agriculture information available to a wide variety of users.

As its main objective the R4A project will make a significant contribution to empowering farmers by providing the correct information in a sustainable manner and at the right moment. Thus helping to improve the quality and quantity of food production. And thereby ensuring local food security. Information will be accessible via the web and mobile technologies such as computers, cell phones and tablets. This way higher crop yields and more efficient use of inputs such as seed, water, pesticides and fertilizer can be facilitated.

One portal for all weather information in southern Africa

R4A envisions a single central access point for all weather information for southern Africa. This unique portal is supported by an operational data stream. The portal is able to provide straightforward connections to various types of meteorological data and other sources. The portal enables the development of various applications by integrating weather data with expert agricultural knowledge and information. Developed applications will be easily accessible at an affordable price to potential clients in southern Africa.

The project’s aim is to meet the information needs of a number of different users in the informal and formal sectors. Applications will be tailored to provide user specified information to diverse groups.

R4A a South African – Dutch consortium

The R4A project is funded by the Netherlands Space Office (NSO). The ARC is the lead partner in a consortium with one South African and eight Netherlands based organisations. The Netherlands Space Office (NSO) and representatives from all consortium members will attend these events.

R4A Consortium members

  • South African Weather Service (SAWS)
  • HydroLogic
  • eLeaf
  • WineJob
  • Royal Netherlands Meteorological Institute (KNMI)
  • Mobile Water Management
  • Weather Impact
  • Dutch Regional Water Authority Drents Overijsselse Delta

Want to join the Rain for Africa meetings?

Please RSVP before or on 1 February 2017 with your choice by reply e-mail or sms to:
Adri Laas
E-mail: adril@arc.agric.za
Tel: 082 445 6269

For more information: www.hydronet.co.za/rainforafrica