Collaboration
B-CGMS is the fruit of a long-standing collaboration (the first bulletin was published in 2002!) between 3 recognised Belgian research institutions (IRM/KMI, VITO and CRA-W), all under the auspices of the BELSPO Federal Science Policy Programming Service.
The CRA-W is a public administration unit (UAP) subsidised by the Walloon Region, combining scientific research, service and support functions for the benefit of Walloon farmers, breeders, horticulturalists, foresters and operators in the agri-food sector. Around 130 scientific research projects are carried out there on an ongoing basis. These projects aim to 1) reduce the use of synthetic inputs and control the effects of agriculture on climate change, 2) produce quality products in a more sustainable way, while preserving the quality of life of farmers and ensuring animal welfare and the protection of the environment and biodiversity, 3) increase the profitability of production and thus ensure a decent income for Walloon farmers and 4) help add value to agricultural production in conventional or local, organic or non-organic sectors.
The Royal Meteorological Institute (RMI) is a federal scientific institute that provides meteorological services and carries out research in the fields of meteorology and climate. It is also responsible for forecasting and announcing the weather to the public and the authorities, as well as warning of the possible occurrence of meteorological events likely to cause damage in Belgium (e.g. a thunderstorm, a heat wave). It also provides climatological information to the Disaster Fund, researchers, universities, companies and anyone else who requests it. At the same time, the IRM is carrying out scientific research into the ozone layer, the climate, weather satellites and radars, and computer programmes that provide weather forecasts. The IRM also employs around 180 people at its sites in Uccle and Dourbes, and around 220 volunteer observers who report their observations every day.
VITO is a leading independent European research and technology organisation in the fields of clean technologies and sustainable development, developing solutions for today's major societal challenges. It provides innovative, high-quality solutions that give companies large and small a competitive edge, and advises industry and governments on future policy. VITO has more than 800 highly qualified employees. VITO's remote sensing unit has expertise in the consideration and operational translation of user needs in remote sensing. This expertise has been built up through the execution of various projects in different fields and in collaboration with a variety of users, ranging from research institutes to regional intergovernmental training and capacity-building centres, and from private companies to the European Commission and United Nations organisations. The unit is active in a wide range of fields including agriculture, water and coastal management, urban and infrastructure management, climate, security and natural capital accounting.
B-CGMS also draws on the field expertise of a network of pilot centres and technical centres in Belgium. These centres are listed below (in alphabetical order, the centres in bold with an * have contributed to the development of agrometeorological indicators).
BCGMS Web team
Bcgms Web is the result of collaboration between several institutes and stakeholders.
For CRA-W
For IRM
For VITO
