The Agro Climate Research Centre under Directorate of Crop Management in Tamil Nadu Agricultural University (TNAU), Coimbatore recently organized a one-day training program on the theme ‘Building Climate Literacy: Equipping Tamil Nadu State Disaster Management Teams with Climate Vulnerability Assessment Tools’.

It was held in collaboration with Tamil Nadu Climate Change Mission, Department of Environment and Climate Change, Government of Tamil Nadu.

The hands-on training was handled by TNAU scientists Ga. Dheebakaran, S. Kokilavani, B. Arthirani, K.Senthiraja, C. Pradipa and S. Mohan Kumar. About 30 officials from the Disaster Management cell at Ramanathapuram, Sivaganga and Virudhunagar district, along with 20 scientists from TNAU took part in the event.

Prof.Kalarani, Director, Crop Management outlined importance this training. Prof.Maragatham, Dean, Centre for Students Welfare, TNAU, Coimbatore in her address insisted the use of social media and Artificial Intelligence in climate resilience and disaster management efforts.

Sigy Thomas Vaidhyan, I.A.S., Commissioner, Tamil Nadu State Disaster Risk Reduction Agency (TNDRRA), Chennai, highlighted the government’s initiatives in disaster risk reduction and emphasized the importance of science-based solutions and capacity building for the development of climate resilient Tamil Nadu.

She acknowledged TNAU’s attempt towards building climate resilience through Climate Resilient Villages, village-level weather forecasts, the TNAU-AAS mobile app, seasonal forecasting etc.

Prof.V. Geethalakshmi, Former Vice Chancellor, TNAU, Coimbatore, emphasized the importance of integrating scientific research with field-level applications and encouraged the participants to adopt innovative and climate-resilient approaches.

R. Thamizh Vendan, Acting Vice Chancellor, TNAU, Coimbatore, underlined the significance of the programme and the crucial role of collaborative efforts in strengthening institutional capacity and resilience to meet emerging climate challenges.