FAO WaPOR open access data for improved irrigation advisory services: applications example from Tunisia

FAO with the support of the Government of The Netherlands maintain a publicly accessible near real time database called WaPOR (https://wapor.apps.fao.org). The information provided enables a range of services for farmers, irrigation operators and government agencies to better monitor and promote the efficient use of natural resources. To translate the data into actionable and policy relevant information, remote sensing, hydrology and agronomy experts are developing tools and applications in selected countries. In Tunisia, for example, data from WaPOR is being used to support agricultural advisory services delivered through a smartphone application. WaPOR Actual EvapoTranspiration ETa data from Jendouba area is used in the IREY app developed by the Institut National des Grandes Cultures (INGC). The Smart Irrigation App IREY provides advices to farmers on real-time irrigation schedules for selected crops.