The difference between weather and climate is frequently debated, with certain people contending that weather represents the immediate sensations we experience, whereas climate refers to the long-term trends of weather.
In one of his literary works, American novelist and humorist Mark Twain attempted to clarify the distinction between climate and weather. “Climate is what we expect,” he stated while “weather is what we get.”
During our college days, we were told that weather consists of several essential components that interact to form the conditions we experience. These components include temperature, humidity, precipitation, wind, atmospheric pressure, cloud cover, and visibility.
In the world of agriculture, weather significantly impacts farming, similar to how adequate sunlight can cause your garden to flourish, while a severe storm can devastate it. Farmers depend on favorable weather to cultivate their food; excessive rainfall can result in decaying plants, whereas insufficient precipitation complicates crop growth and animal feeding.
Severe weather phenomena such as droughts, floods, and heatwaves can greatly disrupt farming operations and diminish yields.
Understanding these factors helps farmers make informed decisions to optimize crop production and mitigate risks associated with weather changes.
“Assessing the influence of weather on agricultural crops is essential,” explains Jethro P. Adang, the director of the Mindanao Baptist Rural Life Center (MBRLC) Foundation, Inc. “Agrometeorological forecasting enables farmers to foresee how fluctuations in weather may impact crop development and harvests.”
Agrometeorological forecasting employs weather and climate information to anticipate effects on agriculture, assisting farmers in making informed choices regarding planting, irrigation, pest management, and harvesting, thereby maximizing yields and reducing risks such as droughts and typhoons.
Now, the good news. Agrilever, an innovative agritech company supporting smallholder rice farmers in the Philippines, has formed a partnership with Tomorrow.io, a global leader in weather intelligence, to introduce hyperlocal, AI-driven forecasting solutions to the agricultural industry in the country.
Tomorrow.io, recognized as the foremost Resilience Platform worldwide, integrates cutting-edge space technology, sophisticated generative AI, and exclusive weather modeling. Time Magazine has acknowledged it as one of the Top 100 Most Influential Companies globally.
The collaboration is designed to assist farmers in effectively managing climate-related risks and enhancing productivity in the face of increasingly unpredictable weather patterns, a press release from Agrilever pointed out.
The Philippines ranks among the nations that are most susceptible to climate change. The country endures 20 tropical typhoons annually. Moreover, in recent years, there has been an increase in the frequency of more powerful typhoons.
According to the executive report titled Getting A Grip on Climate Change in the Philippines, published by the World Bank, it is projected that “by the end of this century, tropical cyclones are anticipated to intensify, with an expected rise in the average instantaneous maximum wind velocity at the Philippine coast.”
Another World Bank report, Turn Down the Heat: Climate Extremes, Regional Impacts and the Case for Resilience, indicates that climate change has played a significant role in the rise of more severe typhoons and elevated storm surges.
The latest Climate Risk Index from GermanWatch has positioned the Philippines as the 7th most impacted country by climate-related extreme weather events over the last 30 years (1995–2024). Throughout this period, the country has faced 371 extreme weather occurrences, resulting in 27,500 deaths and over $35 billion in economic damages.
In November 2025, the Department of Agriculture reported an estimated agricultural damage of P743.8 million due to Typhoons Tino and Uwan, underscoring the critical necessity for climate-resilient practices and efficient forecasting tools.
As the local partner responsible for implementing Tomorrow.io’s technology in Philippine agriculture, Agrilever provided government agencies with real-time weather intelligence during the recent typhoons.
Through its partnership with Agrilever, Tomorrow.io created localized weather intelligence reports for the agriculture department and the National Irrigation Administration (NIA), which were later disseminated to other impacted government agencies.
Agrilever also reported that in the past few months, Tomorrow.io has likewise tracked and produced comprehensive reports on other significant weather events, including typhoons Nando, Opong, Paolo, Rami, Salome, Tino, and Uwan.
“Agencies using Tomorrow.io’s localized app received early warnings on rainfall, wind speed, and flood risks, enabling faster responses, better asset protection, and more informed decisions before, during, and after severe weather events,” Agrilever said.
During Typhoon Uwan, Agrilever and Tomorrow.io collaborated to provide weather reports for all provinces affected in Luzon and the Visayas. The Rice Irrigation System (RIS), which is a component of the NIA project, has been incorporated into the operations of NIA, enabling regional units to better predict field conditions that influence planting and water management.
Agrilever also issued twenty automated daily reports via Tomorrow.io’s platform during Typhoon Nando, addressing critical areas of concern across the Ilocos Region, Cagayan Valley Region, and Cordillera Administrative Region, which were anticipated to experience significant impacts.
With Agrilever’s integration of Tomorrow.io data into the National Food Authority (NFA) system, the agency is now capable of monitoring 331 warehouses across the country with weather tracking based on insights, including daily weather risk evaluations for 30 key warehouses.
In a similar vein, the Bureau of Soils and Water Management (BSWM) receives 17 automated reports for priority sites, aiding over 600 active users—primarily farmers who access hyperlocal forecasts through mobile devices.
“These partnerships allow national and local agencies, as well as their constituents, to benefit from daily weather intelligence across all regions, anticipate disruptions earlier, and plan field operations with greater accuracy,” Agrilever said.
In an email interview, Ruel Amparo, the President of Agrilever, who represents both companies, stated that farmers can obtain agronomic advice and weather updates via various channels to guarantee accessibility and reliability. These channels include a mobile application, as well as Viber and SMS for those farmers who have limited internet access.
In order to obtain agronomic guidance and weather information, it is essential for farmers to possess a mobile phone. “Both users of smartphones and those with basic mobile phones can obtain timely information via applications, messaging services, or SMS, contingent upon their device and connectivity,” he stated.
In addition to digital platforms, on-the-ground assistance is offered through field agronomists who visit farmers every two to three weeks. “Dedicated help desks, manned by trained agronomists, are also available to answer questions, provide guidance, and assist with daily farming decisions,” Amparo remarked.
Some local governments are already utilizing Agrilever’s localized weather system for practical planning. For example, in Madalag, Aklan, the barangay distributed forecasts of rainfall and wind speed from Tomorrow.io and the Tigbawan Diversion Dam AgroClimatic Weather Station prior to November 3–4, enabling farmers to prepare adequately before the onset of heavy rain and strong winds.
A rice farmer from Madalag recounted how having access to precise forecasts has revolutionized their daily routines and agricultural choices. Previously, he noted, they relied on observing the clouds to guess the weather.
“But with Agrilever and Tomorrow.io’s accurate forecasts on our devices, we can now monitor conditions properly, prepare for rain, and take better care of our crops. During typhoons, we can prepare earlier and avoid losses because we receive real-time weather updates right away,” he explained.
Amparo said Agrilever’s integrated farmer platform offers real-time, hyperlocal insights driven by Tomorrow.io’s forecasting system. This platform integrates digital crop protocols, weather intelligence, and access to financing tools, equipping farmers with the necessary information and support to make timely decisions in the field.
“Our partnership with Tomorrow.io strengthens our commitment to protecting Filipino farmers, especially when typhoons and sudden weather shifts threaten their livelihoods,” Amparo said.
“By integrating advanced, hyperlocal weather intelligence into Agrilever’s platform, we are giving farmers the ability to prepare earlier, make faster and more informed decisions, and safeguard their crops even during extreme conditions,” he added. “When farmers have timely and reliable information, they are better equipped to withstand disasters and recover faster. That is the kind of progress this collaboration makes possible for our communities.”
When asked about future plans, Amparo replied, “The initiative plans to scale its reach by onboarding more farmers across additional areas. Beyond expansion, it aims to introduce yield insurance to help farmers better manage climate and production risks, strengthening their financial resilience and long-term sustainability.”
