The 2019 National South-West Monsoon Forum
The 2019 National South-West Monsoon Forum was officially launched from 7th May 2019 by the Department of Meteorology and Hydrology (DMH) of the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment (MONRE). The key stakeholders had joined hands to provide active contributions through their participation in the forum. The representatives were from various government authorizes at the central level and international organization such as Department of Agriculture, Department of Irrigation, Department of Waterways, Department of Water Resources, Department of Climate Change, Lao Air Traffic Management Unit as well as the Strengthening Agro-climatic Monitoring and Information Systems (SAMIS) Project of the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) in Lao PDR.
The forum had reported the seasonal weather forecast and hydrology in the year 2018, situation of hydrology in 2019, Lao climate and indicator, application of metrological and hydrological information/data.
One of highlights in this forum was the presentation of the online system and mobile phone app called Laos Climate Service for Agriculture (LaCSA), which was the first sharing of agro-climatic information in the public. The LaCSA system is outstanding achievement of SAMIS project. In addition, it is a new challenge for Lao PDR as one of the most innovative systems in Asia. As planned, is expected to be launched at the end of May 2019.
The LaCSA system will significantly contribute about rainfall and temperature seasonal forecast as well as crop calendar to farmers on near real-time, which will be very influential for making their decision on seasonal agriculture production such as selection of suitable crop species for cultivation in difficult condition of climate change. This will be able to ensure on more stable and sustainable production, higher productivity, improve food security, and reduce the risk of disease and pest in Lao PDR.
At the same time, the LaCSA system will be able to fulfill the ambition and commitment of Lao Government as strongly pushing forward the Sustainable Development Goals (SDG).