The Lao Department of Meteorology and Hydrology (DMH) and the National Agriculture and Forestry Research Institute (NAFRI) are engaged in a weeklong data-training program to improve national climate forecasts.

The training is part of a two-year climate change initiative to help farmers reduce their vulnerability to climate risks, according to an International Fund for Agricultural Development ( IFAD) press release obtained by Xinhua on Tuesday.

The International Research Institute for Climate and Society ( IRI) in collaboration with the Centre for Climate Risk and Opportunity Management in South East Asia and Pacific (CCROM SEAP) are conducting the training. Funding for the project is provided by the International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD).

The program targets climate scientists from DMH and agricultural research scientists from NAFRI with aims to develop a quality controlled dataset to support climate change analysis and the production of quality climate forecasts.

"This project provides an opportunity to engage and empower vulnerable and marginalized rural communities in managing climate risk, improving agricultural productivity and increasing food and nutrition security. An important aspect of climate risk management is enabling individuals to make informed decisions based on reliable climate information," said Stefania Dina, IFAD Country Manager for Lao PDR.