The Council for Agriculture and Rural Development (CARD), the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) and the Caritas Cambodia in collaboration with key government stakeholders and the Regional Integrated Multi-hazard Early Warning System (RIMES) is jointly organizing the National Pre-Season Monsoon Forum on “Pre-Season Monsoon to Enhance Food security through the Utility of Seasonal Climate Forecasts to Manage Climate Risks “on 3-4 May 2012, at Sunway Hotel, Phnom Penh.

Monsoon Forums were established in Cambodia in 2011 with support from the EC-FAO Food Security Programme on Linking Information and Decision-Making to Improve Food Security, in cooperation with the Regional Integrated Multi-Hazard Early Warning System (RIMES).

The Monsoon Forum provides an opportunity for dialogue between climate scientists who produce climate forecasts and information, and the range of potential users such as producers, traders, extension agents, government planners and development partners.  This dialogue enables scientists to better understand user requirements, and users to better understand and apply the forecast information for better decision-making.  This promotes stronger information sharing and enhances understanding, utility and utilization of information.

Around 100 Participants include producers and users of climate information, from a range of sectors and agencies are joining this two-day training.  In addition, to relevant government agencies, representatives from UN Agencies, international and local NGOs, donors, the academic and research communities will participate in the Forum.

Cambodia is prone to frequent climate events that threaten food security, such as floods and droughts. Understanding and making effective use of available climate information is therefore critical to the sustainable development of agriculture.  The Department of Meteorology (DOM) and the Department of Hydrology and River Works (DHRW) under the Ministry of Water Resources and Meteorology (MOWRAM) in Cambodia provide weather, climate and hydrological information services and products at various timescales (daily, weekly, monthly and seasonal).