FAQ

The project rollout, including the installation of METOS stations, will begin on April 15. Please note that installations will be scheduled on a first-come, first-served basis. You can already register your interest now — with no obligation. 

All METOS weather stations installed under this program remain the property of Pessl Instruments South Africa (PI SA). Farmers are granted the right to use the station on their farm as part of the program and to access the environmental data generated by it through the FieldClimate platform. 

The farmer is responsible for the proper use, protection, and safekeeping of the equipment while it is installed on the farm. Any damage, theft, disappearance, or loss of the station or its sensors is the responsibility of the farmer and may require replacement or repair at the farmer’s expense. 

If a farmer decides not to continue participating in the program after the initial trial period, the station must be returned to Pessl Instruments South Africa in good working condition.

Farmers can choose from four subscription packages depending on their operational needs. All services are accessible through the FieldClimate platform, which converts environmental data into practical farming insights. 

1. SPRAY Package*
The SPRAY package provides the essential environmental monitoring needed for spraying management and other crucial farm management.

SPRAY includes:

  • Precipitation  
  • Air temperature  
  • Relative humidity

 

2. ECO Package*
The ECO package provides the essential environmental monitoring needed for crop protection and basic farm management. 

ECO includes: 

  • Precipitation  
  • Air temperature  
  • Relative humidity  
  • Leaf wetness  

 

3. PRO Package*
The PRO package includes all ECO features and adds additional sensors for more precise weather monitoring and better on-farm decision making. 

PRO includes: 

  • ECO: Precipitation, Air temperature, Relative humidity, Leaf wetness 
  • Wind speed 
  • Solar radiation 

 

4. IRRI Package*
The IRRI package is designed specifically for irrigation management and soil moisture monitoring. 

IRRI includes: 

  • Precipitation 
  • PI-Probe (60 cm) – measures soil moisture at multiple depths from 10 to 60 cm (every 10 cm) 
  • PI-Probe (90 cm) – measures soil moisture at multiple depths from 10 to 90 cm (every 15 cm) 


* The project rollout, including the installation of METOS stations, will begin on April 15. Please note that installations will be scheduled on a
first-come, first-served basis. You can already register your interest now — with no obligation. 

No. The METOS system is designed to be simple and practical for everyday farm use. All data from the weather station is automatically transmitted to the FieldClimate platform, which can be accessed from a computer, tablet, or smartphone. The platform presents information in clear dashboards, graphs, and alerts, helping farmers quickly understand weather conditions and recommended actions.

Farmers also receive automatic notifications and warnings for important events. If needed, local partners and advisors can assist farmers in interpreting the data and integrating it into their farming decisions.

The METOS system helps farmers make better and more timely decisions based on real, local environmental data from their own fields. Typical benefits include: 

  • More precise spray timing, reducing chemical waste 
  • Better irrigation decisions, saving water and electricity 
  • Improved planting and harvesting timing 
  • Early warnings for disease, frost, and extreme weather 
  • Better planning of field work and machinery use

By improving timing and reducing uncertainty, farmers can lower production risks, save costs, and protect crop yields. 

All weather stations are professionally installed by trained technicians or certified local partners to ensure accurate measurements and reliable data transmission.

Installation, which takes around 1 hour per station, includes site selection, system setup, and connection to the FieldClimate platform. Once installed, farmers can access their data immediately through the web platform or mobile device.

Pessl Instruments South Africa and its partners provide ongoing technical support and maintenance for the stations. This includes system monitoring, remote diagnostics, firmware updates, and technical assistance when needed. The goal is to ensure high data quality, reliable operation, and minimal downtime throughout the lifetime of the station.

Pessl Instruments South Africa reserves the right to send an authorized service technician to the station while it is installed on the farm. Any maintenance visit will be announced in advance before entering the property and will typically take place once per year.

What happens if a station is stolen or damaged?

The METOS weather station and its sensors are valuable technical equipment installed on the farm. While the station remains the property of Pessl Instruments South Africa, the farmer is responsible for its basic protection and safekeeping while it is installed on the property. In the event of damage, theft, vandalism, or disappearance of the station or any of its sensors, the incident should be reported to Pessl Instruments South Africa as soon as possible.

Depending on the situation, the equipment may need to be repaired or replaced, and replacement costs may apply. To minimize risks, stations are installed in appropriate locations on the farm, and our team provides guidance on best placement practices to ensure reliable operation and reduce exposure to damage or theft.

If in need of maintenance or support, please contact office_pisa@metos.global.

Environmental data generated by the METOS station on the farm (such as weather measurements and soil conditions) is accessible to the farmer through the FieldClimate platform and is primarily intended to support farm management decisions.

Pessl Instruments South Africa, as the owner of the data generated by the METOS station, may also process and use the collected environmental data to operate, maintain, and improve the services provided through the platform, including weather forecasting, disease models, and other decision-support tools.

To ensure the reliability and scalability of the system, aggregated and anonymized environmental data may also be used by selected partners for purposes such as: 

  • improving weather forecasting models 
  • developing agricultural decision-support tools 
  • supporting climate monitoring and research 
  • enabling agricultural risk analysis and insurance solutions 

Individual farm data is never sold or disclosed in a way that identifies a specific farmer or farm operation. The focus of the program is to build a reliable environmental intelligence network that benefits farmers, partners, and the broader agricultural ecosystem. 

Pessl Instruments South Africa operates in full compliance with the Protection of Personal Information Act (POPIA) of South Africa. Personal information collected through participation in the program (such as contact details, farm location, and account information) is processed only for legitimate operational purposes, including service delivery, system maintenance, communication, and support. All data is handled using appropriate technical and organizational security measures to protect against unauthorized access, misuse, or loss. Participants retain transparency regarding how their information is used, and personal data will not be shared with third parties for marketing or commercial purposes without consent. Environmental measurements collected by the station are used strictly for agricultural intelligence, system improvement, and operational services related to the program.

The METOS weather network is designed as a shared agricultural infrastructure that supports the entire agricultural ecosystem. Agribusiness companies, input suppliers, financial institutions, insurers, research organizations, and public institutions can participate by integrating environmental intelligence into their services and operations.  

Potential collaboration areas include: 

  • Agricultural advisory and agronomy services 
  • Insurance and climate risk management 
  • Financial risk assessment and agricultural financing 
  • Crop input optimization (seeds, fertilizers, crop protection) 
  • Research 

By contributing to and benefiting from a dense network of hyper-local weather data, partners can improve decision-making, reduce operational risk, and support more resilient agricultural systems. Organizations interested in collaboration are invited to contact Pessl Instruments South Africa to explore partnership opportunities. 

For more information about the program, partnerships, or participation: 

Pessl Instruments South Africa (Pty) Ltd 
6 Talana Close, Sacks Circle, Bellville South, Western Cape, 7530, South Africa 
Email: office_pisa@metos.global  
Email for marketing purposes: marketing_pisa@metos.global 

Our team and regional partners will assist you with onboarding, installation, and selecting the services best suited to your farm. 

Grow More. Risk Less.