Weather Index Insurance (WII)
Sri Lanka
IWMI introduced an application to the farmer community (pilot in Dunumadalawa, Ellawewa GND) in order that they may be informed of weather patterns before undertaking any agricultural activities. IWMI has installed two measurements at a central location in the village, to measure and forecast rainfall and temperature. This information is sent to the Farmers mobile phone every two weeks. The agro-economic advisories prepared in collaboration with the Department of Agrarian Development are also sent to the Farmers mobile phone. The weather insurance product is very specific to the area, the season, crop and risk insured. A compensation for the decreased revenue from cultivation of the specified crop due to excess or deficit in rainfall in the specified location is made to the farmers who obtained the respective insurance policy. The compensation would be based on the variation between the Weather Index set and the Actual Observed Index recorded in the village. The crop period is divided into three Cover Phases (months) considering the different level of rainfall required in each phase.
Digital Solution (DS) Category
Digital Agriculture
Digital Rural Services
Digital Solution Type (sub-category)
Farm management services, Weather forecasting services
Digital extension services
Delivery type (format)
Mobile app
Monitoring systems (wireless, solar powered etc.)
DS supplier-user category
Business to business
Business to consumers
Type of entity (ICT developer-supplier)
Multi-partners
Name of supplier/developer
International Water Management Institute (IWMI)
Primary Users
Farmers , Agribusiness / private company
Digital Solution Development Stage
Commercial stage (limited use)
Number of users or subscribers
Galebindunuwewa - Approx. 10% of the farmers. Ellawewa - This product was first piloted in 2021 with maize farmers in the village of Dunumadalawa, Ellawewa GN Division at Anuradhapura District. Over 150 farmers at Dunumadalawa are registered with IWMI on this application. However. The Agriculture Inspector only heard about the app recently and didn't have a full understanding of the tech. Later, this App was also piloted in Ampara, Monaragala, Vavuniya, Kurunegala, and Hambantota Districts.
Measurable positive impact(s) by Digital Solution (DS) on target users and/or audience
Digital Solution Geographic scope
Galebindunuwewa and Ellawewa. Also piloted in Ampara, Monaragala, Vavuniya, Kurunegala, and Hambantota Districts.
Name of Digital village(s), districts, communes where DS is used/deployed
On-line resource links (Web-page links, links to videos, links to reports, etc)
DS Links to FAO, UN and other Development agencies projects, initiatives and programmes