Training Manual Agrometeorology For Agriculture Extension Officers In The Lao People S Democratic Republic

Agricultural meteorology deals with the meteorological, hydrological, pedological and biological factors that affect agricultural production as well as the interaction between agriculture and the environment. This training manual is developed for the Training of Trainers (TOT) to effectively implement agro-meteorology at the local level through multiple methodologies tested in Lao PDR, such as climate field schools and group approaches, public announcement systems (loudspeakers), and school programmes. The manual is developed for the use of the Laos Climate Service for Agriculture (LaCSA) online system developed under the Global Environment Facility (GEF)-funded project Strengthening Agro-climatic Monitoring and Information Systems (SAMIS) to improve adaptation to climate change and food security in Lao PDR. It is aimed for TOT, and the design is flexible so that any modules or lessons can be extracted and applied in field-level staff training with some local adjustments. The training can also help fill gaps between the producers of agrometeorological services and the farmers’ actual needs to improve their livelihood.

The project Strengthening Agro-climatic Monitoring and Information Systems to improve adaptation to climate change and food security in Lao People's Democratic Republic, has arranged training on basic and advanced geographic information systems (GIS) for the staff of the Department of Meteorology and Hydrology and of the Department of Agricultural Land Management in Lao PDR. The folder contains the training materials for materials prepared by the Asian Institute Technology.

This handbook presents the detailed steps for national agricultural land cover mapping, conducted with limited resources and budget from design to final validation and production. It covers the technical aspects of 1) selection and preprocess of satellite imagery (both optical and radar), 2) definition of a land cover legend using international standards, 3) the integration with other existing information as well as the analysis of such database in order to assign a thematic classification, 4) the interpretation, 5) the accuracy assessment and 6) the final packaging and publication of results. The handbook focuses on mapping agricultural land, in a complex landscape, such as the one found in Lao PDR, where atmospheric conditions, topographic effects and management makes the classification challenging. The handbook also presents practical examples of the team, software and skill-set required to develop a national land cover dataset. The objective of the document is to provide a working manual to other national teams willing to develop a land cover mapping programme.

This publication describes climate-smart agriculture (CSA) case studies from around the world, showing how the approach is implemented to address challenges related to climate change and agriculture. The case studies operationalize the five action points for CSA implementation: expanding the evidence base for CSA, supporting enabling policy frameworks, strengthening national and local institutions, enhancing funding and financing options, and implementing CSA practices at field level. The publication provides examples of the innovative roles that farmers, researchers, government officials, private sector agents and civil society actors can play to transform food systems and help meet the Sustainable Development Goals; it also demonstrates how these actors can collaborate. The case studies discuss context-specific activities that sustainably increase agricultural productivity and incomes, adapt and build resilience of people and food systems to climate change, and reduce and/or remove greenhouse gas emissions where possible.

The 2020 edition of the WWDR, titled 'Water and Climate Change' illustrates the critical linkages between water and climate change in the context of the broader sustainable development agenda. Supported by examples from across the world, it describes both the challenges and opportunities created by climate change, and provides potential responses - in terms of adaptation, mitigation and improved resilience - that can be undertaken by enhancing water resources management, attenuating water-related risks, and improving access to water supply and sanitation services for all in a sustainable manner. It addresses the interrelations between water, people, environment and economics in a changing climate, demonstrating how climate change can be a positive catalyst for improved water management, governance and financing to achieve a sustainable and prosperous world for all. The report provides a fact-based, water-focused contribution to the knowledge base on climate change. It is complementary to existing scientific assessments and designed to support international political frameworks, with the goals of helping the water community tackle the challenges of climate change, and informing the climate change community about the opportunities that improved water management offers in terms of adaptation and mitigation.

"Climate-smart agriculture, forestry and fisheries (CSA), contributes to the achievement of sustainable development goals. It integrates the three dimensions of sustainable development (economic, social and environmental) by jointly addressing food security and climate challenges. It is composed of three main pillars: sustainably increasing agricultural productivity and incomes; adapting and building resilience to climate change; reducing and/or removing greenhouse gases emissions, where possible. The purpose of the sourcebook is to further elaborate the concept of CSA and demonstrate its potential, as well as limitations. It aims to help decision makers at a number of levels (including political administrators and natural resource managers) to understand the different options that are available for planning, policies and investments and the practices that are suitable for making different agricultural sectors, landscapes and food systems more climate-smart. This sourcebook is a reference tool for planners, practitioners and policy makers working in agriculture, forestry and fisheries at national and subnational levels." -- Back cover.

A quick pick-me-up or a subtle beverage with an aroma that conjures up images of special moments shared with special people? There′s more to coffee than that. Apart from being a beautiful tree with fragrant flowers, coffee is also a culture, practically a religion to a certain elite and certainly a source of income to millions of people, rich and poor alike. Coffee professionals around the world will find the specific information they need in this lavishly illustrated and practical work designed to answer all their questions about the coffee plant and how it is grown, harvested, processed and refined. Specialists and experienced professionals were consulted and some 40 renowned international experts have contributed their specific knowledge and expertise to this comprehensive handbook, covering such topics as: ∗ Growing ∗ Pests, diseases, and their control ∗ Harvesting and processing ∗ Storage, shipment, quality ∗ The latest economical and technological aspects. In addition, special indexes demystify such confusing data as information sources, conversion tables and other technicalities. With its 40 chapters, over 1000 pages and 900 superb illustrations, this is a universally reliable manual, providing basic guidelines and recommendations applicable everywhere, and not geared to any specific country.