A Virtual Training Program from 23rd to 27th August 2021 titled, Knowledge Sharing Program of Training of Trainers on Climate Field School for Colombo Plan Member Countries 2021, under the Theme “Building of Climate Change and Food Security Resilience through the Climate Field School for Agriculture” is facilitated in collaboration with the Government of the Republic of Indonesia and The Colombo Plan. The Implementing Agency being INDONESIAN AGENCY FOR METEOROLOGY, CLIMATOLOGY AND GEOPHYSICS (BMKG). 30 government officials from Colombo Plan member countries Bangladesh, Bhutan, Brunei Darussalam, India, Indonesia, Lao PDR, Malaysia, Maldives, Myanmar, Nepal, Pakistan, Singapore, Sri Lanka, the Philippines, Thailand, and Vietnam participates in the event.
The purpose of the training is to provide participants from the Colombo Plan countries with an opportunity to update relevant approach and knowledge on the philosophy and main activities in understanding and practicing of climate information to support agricultural activities for climate resilient and food security through Training of Trainers on Climate Field School Program.
HE Ambassador Dr. Phan Kieu Thu delivered following opening remarks at the Inauguration ceremony on 23rd August 2021.
I feel honoured and happy to participate in the opening ceremony of Training of Trainers on Climate Field School for Colombo Plan Member Countries, in a collaboration between the Government of the Republic of Indonesia and Colombo Plan Secretariat and the Implementing Agency: INDONESIAN AGENCY FOR METEOROLOGY, CLIMATOLOGY AND GEOPHYSICS.
At the outset, I wish to express my sincere gratitude and thanks on behalf of the Colombo Plan Secretariat to the Government of Indonesia for its commitment and sustainability in the South-South and Triangular Cooperation Program. The Program is expected to be sustainable for a 3 year period (2019-2022) for different participants. Besides these programs, Indonesia has been an integral part in the efforts of capacity building and collaborating with the Colombo Plan over the years and in strengthening the capacity building of our member countries. Today, those who have already had their trainings in Indonesia are contributing to the development of their own countries by sharing the knowledge and training they have gathered.
As we all know, The Colombo Plan with its history of 70 years is one of the oldest regional inter-governmental organizations, dates far back as 1950, when the idea was first conceived to enhance economic and social development of the countries of the region. The Colombo Plan was established on 1st July 1951 by Australia, Canada, India, Pakistan, New Zealand, Sri Lanka and the United Kingdom and currently it has expanded to 27 member countries including non-Commonwealth countries and countries belonging to regional groupings such as South-East Asia, South Asia and the Asia Pacific. The Colombo Plan is a partnership concept of self-help and mutual-help in development aimed at socio-economic progress of its member countries in the Asia and the Pacific.
The Colombo Plan gives much emphasis in developing institutional capacity in the member countries. The Colombo Plan’s Capacity Building Program remains as a primary concern and integrating capacity building initiatives and programs in our member countries. Therefore, it goes without saying that capacity building is a country’s core contribution to development.
Today one of the most discussed subjects in the world is the threat of climate change. Every part of the world is facing the dire consequences of climate change. Disaster after disaster is taking place around the world as a result of climate change. With Climate change, agricultural production and food security is likely to face serious challenges in our times. Agriculture is the mainstay of the economic growth in most of the member countries of the Colombo Plan. And knowledge to face the challenges on that is the base for survival.
I am happy to note the contribution of the Climate Field School in this context and how it is gearing to bridge the gap of farmer’s knowledge of climate information, particularly on site, through a training process. Also, it aims to raise the farmers’ awareness of weather/climate information and its impact, in order to reduce crop loss. Developing an effective method for communicating climate (forecast) information to the end-users like farmers are indeed very essential. Learning by doing and learning by experiencing the process serves as an effective process for transferring climate knowledge or climate information to farmers.
This training program provides the participants of the Colombo Plan member countries with an opportunity to update themselves on the relevant approach and knowledge of the philosophy and main activities, in understanding and practicing of climate information to support agricultural activities for climate resilient and food security through Training of Trainers on Climate Field School Program and be able to plan the implementation of the knowledge and apply them in their own countries.
With this training course, the participants are expected to improve their knowledge and skills in learning Techniques - Basic knowledge of weather and climate parameters - Basic of precipitation process - Introduction to weather instruments and simple rain gauge - Climate information, monthly and seasonal forecast - Climate extreme, climate variability and their impact to agriculture - Cropping Calendar / Standing Crop - Indigenous Knowledge of Agriculture - Understanding of climate field school program to disseminate weather/climate information to farmers.
With Covid 19 pandemic, we are gearing to face the challenges of a “new normal” existence. The Virtual training programs are one of it. These virtual training programs are now meeting with immense success. I request all participants to make use of this opportunity given to you to the maximum and apply the knowledge that you gain from it for sustainable stability and capacity building of your own home country.
Finally, once again I would like to express my deep appreciation and gratitude on behalf of the Colombo Plan, to the Government of Indonesia for a very timely initiative in providing this training program virtually for the member countries of the Colombo Plan. Also a special thank you to Indonesian Agency for Meteorology, Climatology and Geophysics and to the Colombo Plan Focal Point for their efficient contribution to make this happen.
I wish you all success in the program. Thank you.