Development of Agrometeorological Services in Finland

摘要

A study for developing meteorological and advisory service for agriculture was carried out in Finland for the years 1982 to 1984. The Finnish Meteorological Institute, the Agricultural Research Centre, the Association of Agricultural Producers in Finland formed a working group for the task. The goal was to present the requirements of agrometeorological research and the need of daily service, to estimate costs and benefits of the service and to make suggestions for the agrometeorological service in the whole country. In three growing seasons 1982 to 1984 the working group offered experimental services for farmers in a small area in southern Finland. For evaluating the service questionnaires were sent to farmers. The potential benefits and losses were also considered. The cost/benefit-ratio has been evaluated by agronomic experts and the work was based on the answers of farmers. It turned out to be 1/30. At the 1984 cost level, we could estimate the cost of a nationwide agrometeorological service at around FIM 4.2 million a year. The total yearly national benefit would then be around FIM 120 million. In 1985 the working group made its proposals for extending the agrometeorological service to the whole country during the years 1986 - 1991.