By integrating weather forecasting systems, water-saving irrigation technologies and advanced cultivation practices, the project is helping farmers shift from experience-based decision-making to a more proactive, data-driven approach.
Local farmers say traditional methods, such as relying on visual cues to predict weather, are increasingly unreliable as climate patterns grow more erratic. This shift has exposed the limitations of long-standing practices and underscored the need for technological support.
For Thân Thị Liền, a vegetable grower in An Bình ward, unpredictable weather previously meant reacting to sudden changes, often resulting in rushed harvests or crop losses.
Since joining the GLIMER project two years ago, she has received regular weather forecasts with detailed recommendations on crop scheduling, irrigation, fertilization and pest control.
Armed with early warnings, she now adjusts her farming activities in advance, harvesting before heavy rain or modifying irrigation during drought periods. As a result, losses have declined significantly, and production planning has become more stable.
Water-saving irrigation systems have also delivered measurable gains. Tào Văn An, another farmer in the area, invested in drip and sprinkler irrigation tailored to different crops. He reports cost reductions of 1-4 million VND (approximately $40–$160) per sào per crop cycle, alongside productivity increases of 15–20%.
According to An, improved water distribution has led to more consistent crop growth and reduced pest and disease incidence. Losses that previously reached 30-40% due to adverse weather have now fallen markedly.
The GLIMER Project, funded by International Development Enterprises (IDE), is being implemented in the communes of Ia Pa, Đak Pơ, Ya Hội, and An Bình ward over two years (2024–2025) with a budget of more than 11.7 billion VND.
The project focuses on developing the market for water-saving irrigation technologies, piloting small-scale weather forecasting systems, and introducing advanced cultivation techniques. Its goal is to help farmers increase productivity, reduce costs, and boost incomes, aiming for sustainable agricultural development.
Huỳnh Việt Hùng, Director of the Agricultural Extension Center under the Department of Agriculture and Environment, said timely weather information and early risk warnings are critical in helping farmers choose appropriate production methods at each growth stage.
Beyond technology adoption, the GLIMER project has expanded farmers’ capabilities through training, demonstration models and market linkage support. Participants are not only improving cultivation techniques but also gaining better access to markets, enhancing the value of their produce.
After two years, the project has engaged more than 2,800 farming households, well above its initial targets of around 500 households each for weather forecasting and irrigation models.
In its next phase, GLIMER will focus on strengthening forecasting systems and developing agricultural markets, with an emphasis on transforming farming mindsets and building long-term adaptive capacity.
Project leaders say continued access to weather data and modern technologies will be essential in helping Gia Lai’s agricultural sector move toward a more professional, sustainable and globally integrated model.