ABSTRACT
In agricultural development water is understood as a precious and finite resource that must be used wisely to maximize crop growth. The relationship between available water and crop growth is dependent on soil type, plant cultivar and development stage, and is relatively easy to calculate; after all, the plant stays in the same place throughout its growing period. Climate is measured routinely around the world by the meteorological/climate community using internationally agreed standards, with a significant amount of data shared freely in real-time. Historical and climate data and information products can be used to inform a wide range of planning processes as well as in early warning systems. In order to facilitate climate and health analyses, data must be shared between communities. Data sharing is an issue in nearly every organization because there are consequences, both good and bad, to sharing information beyond institutional borders.
