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INSAM is a web-based society dedicated to promoting agrometeorology by facilitating information exchange, collaboration, and dissemination of success stories and challenges in the field. With members from over 70 countries, INSAM aims to enhance the visibility and impact of agrometeorological solutions to farming problems. The society offers a platform for networking, access to valuable resources, and aims to attract more active contributors to advance the field. Join INSAM and be part of a global community of agrometeorologists driving innovation and progress in agriculture.
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INSAMThe International Society for Agricultural Meteorology(web based) A Short History and Aims of INSAM Kees Stigter, founding president
Advisory Working Group of CAgM decided in April 2001 on establishment of INSAM • Limitations CAgM • Limitations agrometeorologists • Isolation agrometeorologists • Interaction many more agrometeorologists • Broadening search for umbrella activities • Information source • Information exchange • Advertising successes • Promote agrometeorology
Membership data after website became operational in April 2002 • April 2003 380 members from 73 countries • March 2004 520 -- -- 85 -- • February 2005 630 -- -- 92 -- • March 2006 750 -- -- 99 -- • June 2007 890 -- -- 105 --
Top twelve member countries • India 133 members • Iran 85 -- • Brazil 65 -- • USA 52 -- • China 37 -- • Italy 35 -- • Six countries with between 20 and 30 members: Argentina, Cuba, Indonesia, Korea, Nigeria, South Africa
What successes may we claim? • Numbers (will we reach 1000 members?) • Topics: Agromet Market Place News and Highlights What’s new ? Accounts of operational agrometeorology Needs for agrometeorological solutions to farming problems • Meetings, vacancies, calls for papers, training opportunities, books, journals, new information (all for agrometeorologists)
What problems are there? • Language limitations (China, Japan, other parts of Asia, French/Spanish/Portuguese speaking countries) • Attractivity problems (width, orientation) • Activities through vice-presidents and correspondents • Contributions to the web site from members • Legal problems • Financial problems
Initiatives • Home page renewal every three months • Contest on best examples of agrometeorological services (third ongoing) • Socio-economic aspects of agrometeorology • Concentration on lowly- and medium-industrialized countries • Electronic journal (open access) is planned: “Operational and Educational Agrometeorology” (33 people in establishment group)
Electronic Journal • Agricultural and Forest Meteorology (Elsevier) for Basic Sciences • A large number of journals in which Applied Agrometeorology subjects appear (English) • Down to earth agrometeorology as well: relevancy for agrometeorological services • Education/training/extension leg is new • Material filling requirements for new curricula at Universities and lower level training courses (intermediaries, assistants, field personnel)
www.agrometeorology.org Ordinary membership is free of charge. Ways to increase membership of INSAM: stimulation through National Societies; membership through working groups; make membership mandatory/advisable for teachers and post-graduate students etc.; stimulate participants in certain lectures to subscribe and use material on this site.
However, what we particularly need:more active memberscontributing issues, items, science, applications, successes, failures, problems, solutions, news etc.from all fields of agrometeorology.INSAM, a market place on the web for agrometeorologistswww.agrometeorology.org