Stakeholders from various sectors were provided with essential tools and climate information to prepare for the upcoming May-June rainy season.
This was made possible through the 16th National Climate Outlook Forum which got underway at the Herdmanston Lodge Hotel in Georgetown yesterday, a release from the Department of Public Information (DPI) said.
The event was a collaborative effort between the Hydrometeorological Department of the Ministry of Agriculture and the United Nations Food and Agricultural Organisation (FAO).
Discussions were aimed at enhancing climate literacy and making a shift towards a risk management approach, which makes use of probability forecasts.
During the event’s formal opening, Chief Hydrometeorological Officer, Dr Garvin Cummings said several areas will be highlighted, with strong emphasis on the agriculture sector.
“I think that [the] involvement or inclusion of FAO is a clear signal of the importance that agriculture plays in Guyana’s economy, but [it is] also an indication of the kind of impacts that severe weather can have on agriculture,” he said.
Dr Cummings further elaborated on the forum’s objectives, emphasising the department’s research in agrometeorology and hydrometeorology.
Efforts to enhance stakeholders’ access to quality climate information for informed decision-making were also underlined.
“One of the things that we have attempted to do over the years….is to improve the kind of service that you have access to, also the data that you have access to. We want to ensure that you have access to quality data so that you can use it in your decision-making,” he said.
The biannual event precedes the rainy season, serving to familiarise stakeholders with climate information and transmit uncertainties for the upcoming period.
