Meet OSCAR: A Climate Tech Game-Changer for Vanuatu
OSCAR (Observing Systems Capability Analysis and Review) is a web-based platform that connects user needs with real-time satellite data to support decision-making in agriculture, environmental monitoring, and disaster management.
Developed by the Green Climate Fund’s Vanuatu Klaemet Infomesen blong Redy, Adapt mo Protekt project (Van-KIRAP), jointly implemented by Vanuatu Meteorology and Geohazards Department (VMGD), Department of Agriculture and Rural Development (DARD) and the Secretariat of the Pacific Regional Environment Programme (SPREP).
The Tech Behind OSCAR
The system is built around three main modules:
- User Requirements
Where Vanuatu users (farmers, departments, agencies) input needs like:- Drought detection
- Crop yield forecasts
- Rainfall tracking
- ENSO (El Niño–La Niña) patterns
- Space Capabilities
This links to satellite instruments that collect climate and Earth observation data—like soil moisture, temperature, rainfall, and land cover. - Surface Capabilities (planned for the future)
Will include ground-based tools (e.g. weather stations, soil sensors) for even more accurate, localized forecasting.
User Access Levels
As the diagram above shows, OSCAR offers tiered access:
- ✅ All Users: Open access to query, filter, and export data (ideal for researchers, students, and journalists).
- ✅ Focal Points: Authorized users in key departments (e.g. Agriculture, Meteorology) can review, draft, or update national requirements.
- ✅ Administrators: Can configure satellites, instruments, and add new data programs.
This layered access helps OSCAR remain secure, customizable, and community-driven.
Mapping Features for Vanuatu
OSCAR features include:
- Interactive maps for every province
- Visualization of historical rainfall, drought, and crop stress trends
- Satellite-based forecasts of planting windows
- ENSO phase monitoring
Whether you’re on Tanna, Santo, or Penama, you can tailor the view to your island’s needs.
How Vanuatu Benefits
- Stronger food security
Farmers get data-driven planting advice that improves yields and avoids losses. - Disaster resilience
Early warnings for droughts or climate extremes help communities prepare and act faster. - Empowered public officers
DARD, VMGD, and other ministries can now access a live dashboard for agriculture planning, extension work, and policy decisions. - Inclusion for rural users
The platform is available in both lite and full versions, so even low-bandwidth areas can benefit. Mobile-ready access is available at:
👉 https://oscar.gov.vu/lite/mobile.do
Final Thoughts
With climate change making weather more unpredictable, OSCAR is the kind of smart national investment Vanuatu needs. It bridges local knowledge and global data in one system—designed to serve both our farmers in the field and our leaders in the cabinet.
As we look to build a resilient Vanuatu, tools like OSCAR show how tech + tradition = future-proof solutions.
Try it out:
🔗 https://oscar.gov.vu
🛰️ Empower your community. Plant smarter. Plan better.
Learn How to Use OSCAR
Watch the 10-minute OSCAR screencast to see how the system works and explore its interface
Download the user manuals:
• OSCAR/Space and Requirements User Guide (PDF)
• OSCAR/Surface User Guide (PDF)
Oscar Climate System Talk Show
This episode of the Talkback Show on VBTC TV features an in-depth discussion about the Oscar Climate System, a digital platform developed to enhance climate resilience in agriculture across Vanuatu. Hosted by the Ministry of Climate Change, the show explains how the system delivers weather forecasts, drought monitoring, and planting advice through web and mobile access. The episode also showcases how traditional ecological knowledge is combined with scientific data, and how training is being rolled out to farmers, women’s groups, and vulnerable communities. Viewers gain insights into how Oscar supports food security and informed farming decisions in a changing climate.
The Talkback Show on VBTC TV introduces the Oscar Climate System, a web-based and mobile platform designed to support farmers in adapting to climate change. Developed by the Ministry of Climate Change and partners, Oscar provides real-time climate data, including seasonal forecasts, drought monitoring, and planting schedules.
The system aims to improve agricultural decision-making by combining traditional knowledge with modern scientific information. It is accessible through both desktop and mobile devices, and has been rolled out across communities with training sessions, especially targeting women and vulnerable groups.
Oscar is praised for helping farmers boost productivity, prepare for extreme weather, and enhance food security. Feedback from the field indicates it’s becoming a vital tool in building climate resilience at the grassroots level.
More Summary of the talkback show below:
Time Interval: 00:00 – 45:15
- Introduction of the Oscar System
The video begins with a talk show discussing the Oscar System — a web-based platform designed for providing climate services to the agriculture sector. It’s aimed at supporting farmers and government agencies in climate adaptation. - Climate Data & Farmer Access
The Oscar System offers real-time access to weather and climate data, including seasonal forecasts, drought monitoring, temperature trends, and planting calendars. This data is particularly useful for helping farmers make informed decisions. - Mobile and Web Accessibility
Users can access the system via its web platform (oscar.gov.vu) or a mobile-friendly version, allowing for widespread and flexible usage across different islands and communities. - Empowering Farmers Through Training
The system has been introduced in farming communities over the past few years, with training workshops to help locals understand and use the system. Women’s groups and vulnerable populations have also been included. - Use of Traditional and Scientific Knowledge
There’s a strong emphasis on integrating traditional knowledge (such as observing natural indicators) with modern scientific data, creating a hybrid model of decision-making for agriculture and disaster preparedness. - Focus on Disaster Preparedness
Oscar helps communities prepare for climate extremes like droughts and cyclones, allowing for proactive responses based on early warning systems and forecasts. - User Feedback and Local Integration
Farmers reported positive outcomes from using Oscar, such as increased crop yields and better resource planning. Continued local feedback and system updates are ensuring the tool remains relevant. - Collaborative Approach
Partnerships with local governments, NGOs, and international donors have been pivotal in the system’s rollout and sustainability, enabling widespread training and accessibility.
Insights Based on Numbers
Cyclone prediction models: Mentioned as part of the disaster preparedness toolkit, incorporating both scientific prediction and traditional cues.
26200: A central hotline number mentioned multiple times — serves as a direct support line for users seeking help or clarification regarding the Oscar System.
3-month rainfall forecast: Each province receives a tailored forecast, which is critical for planning agricultural activities and understanding drought risks.
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