{"id":9951,"date":"2024-06-14T14:44:38","date_gmt":"2024-06-14T14:44:38","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/agriculture.gov.ag\/?p=9951"},"modified":"2024-06-14T14:46:53","modified_gmt":"2024-06-14T14:46:53","slug":"two-day-climate-resilience-workshop-held-in-antigua-and-barbuda-by-shenequa-williams-and-carol-faye-bynoe-george","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/agriculture.gov.ag\/index.php\/2024\/06\/14\/two-day-climate-resilience-workshop-held-in-antigua-and-barbuda-by-shenequa-williams-and-carol-faye-bynoe-george\/","title":{"rendered":"Two-Day Climate Resilience Workshop Held in Antigua and Barbuda by Shenequa Williams and Carol-Faye Bynoe-George"},"content":{"rendered":"
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On 6th and 7th June, 2024, a significant regional workshop on Climate Resilience and Weather Services took place at the Trade Wind Hotel in Antigua and Barbuda. This two-day seminar brought together experts, officials, and stakeholders from various states within the region to discuss and address pressing issues related to Climate Services, Agricultural Resilience, and Water Resource Management.<\/div>\n
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Day 1:<\/strong><\/div>\n
National Discussions and Practical Applications<\/div>\n<\/div>\n
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The first day of the workshop was marked by intense discussions focused on enhancing local climate and weather services. Participants explored the practical applications of these services in the agricultural sector, particularly how improved weather predictions and climate information can optimize resource use and decision-making processes. This session aimed at addressing the specific needs of Antigua and Barbuda, which, despite its lush appearance, is one of the most water-stressed islands in the Caribbean. This water scarcity has impeded agricultural development, necessitating effective irrigation and water management techniques.<\/div>\n
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Regional Collaboration and Future Outlooks<\/strong><\/div>\n
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The participants renewed contacts and discussed mutual interests and challenges, such as the impact of climate change on water resources and food security. Noteworthy topics included the use of seasonal and sub-seasonal climate information for developing pest and disease models and irrigation systems, which are crucial for the region’s agricultural stability.<\/div>\n
One highlight was the presentation of various climate outlooks, including projections for the hurricane season and temperature trends. These outlooks are vital for preparing the region for extreme weather events and ensuring food security. Participants examined detailed predictions for the upcoming months, including potential impacts on agricultural productivity and water availability.<\/div>\n
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Technical Insights and Practical Models<\/strong><\/div>\n
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The workshop also featured technical sessions where specific climate models and forecasting tools were discussed. One such model addressed the downy mildew affecting squash plants, showcasing how temperature and humidity data can predict disease development and inform treatment schedules. This approach underscores the importance of localized and accurate climate data in managing agricultural challenges.<\/div>\n<\/div>\n
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Working Group Discussions<\/div>\n<\/div>\n
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Participants were divided into four groups to address three key questions, followed by brief presentations of their findings:<\/div>\n
1. What are the likely impacts of forecasted extreme events on your sector?<\/div>\n
2. How would you mitigate these potential hazards, and would these responses differ from your typical actions?<\/div>\n
3. What are some challenges in preparing for these major concerns?<\/div>\n<\/div>\n
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Our group identified several impacts, including pest management (disease), communication\/outreach, infrastructure\/drainage, and heat stress. Our proposed responses included training extension officers, monitoring farms and crops, and reinforcing roadworks.<\/div>\n
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Acknowledgements and Forward Plans<\/strong><\/div>\n
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In his address, Mr. Adrian Trotman, one of the organizers of the event emphasized the importance of regional cooperation and thanked various partners, including FICIS and CIMH, for their support in organizing the workshop. The discussions and insights gained over the two days are expected to significantly contribute to the ongoing efforts in enhancing climate resilience and sustainable development in the region.<\/div>\n
The first day of the workshop concluded with a call for continued collaboration and the sharing of knowledge and resources to tackle the common challenges posed by climate change. As the region moves forward, the insights and strategies developed during this event will play a crucial role in shaping a resilient future for Antigua and Barbuda and its neighbouring states.<\/div>\n
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Day 2<\/strong><\/div>\n
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This day was utilized for the introduction to the electronical software pertaining to climate resilience data and as hands-on training sessions for the participants. Demonstrations were conducted by Dr. Giulia Pastacaldi\/Department of Agricultural, Food, Environmental and Forestry Sciences and Technologies (DAGRI)\/University of Florence on Climate-related pests and diseases modeling-Mildew and Whitefly.<\/div>\n
Another demonstration was of the Modelling Irrigation Requirements, Dr. Pastacaldi advised that information may differ and vary from state to state this depending on the situations.<\/div>\n
Most of the participants left the meeting more informed and more appreciative of the software and training that they had received. This was made possible by Mr. Trotman and his team. It is expected that data collection and sharing among the member states is one the pillars that will enhance the Climatic Resilience in this region.<\/div>\n
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On 6th and 7th June, 2024, a significant regional workshop on Climate Resilience and Weather Services took place at the Trade Wind Hotel in Antigua and Barbuda. This two-day seminar […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":11,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[11],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-9951","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-news-notices"],"acf":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/agriculture.gov.ag\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/9951","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/agriculture.gov.ag\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/agriculture.gov.ag\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/agriculture.gov.ag\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/11"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/agriculture.gov.ag\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=9951"}],"version-history":[{"count":3,"href":"https:\/\/agriculture.gov.ag\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/9951\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":9953,"href":"https:\/\/agriculture.gov.ag\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/9951\/revisions\/9953"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/agriculture.gov.ag\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=9951"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/agriculture.gov.ag\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=9951"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/agriculture.gov.ag\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=9951"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}