Meeting in Lao PDR discusses sustainable and inclusive agricultural development in ASEAN Member States

Mr.-Xaypladeth-Choulamany-Director-General-of-the-Department-of-Planning-and-Cooperation-2-6

The Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN), the German Regional Cooperation project’s ASEAN Sustainable Agrifood Systems (SAS) implemented by Deutsche Gesellschaft fuer Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ) GmbH, together with Department of Agriculture, Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry of Lao PDR organized the 6th Project Partner Meeting and related meetings on 17-20 November 2015 at Vientiane Plaza Hotel in Vientiane Capital, Lao PDR.

ASEAN Sustainable Agrifood Systems (ASEAN SAS) as part of the ASEAN-German Programme on Response to Climate Change in Agriculture and Forestry (GAP-CC) being implemented by GIZ is now in its second phase from 2014-2017. As Food Security in ASEAN requires national sustainable agrifood systems that sustain, the livelihoods and competitiveness of agriculture and supply sufficient staple food throughout the region, ASEAN SAS supports development of regionally-coordinated policies, strategies and dialogue concepts for a sustainable agrifood sector; promotion of the use of sustainable inputs and crop management practices through capacity development; and promotion of sustainable cross-border value chains in collaboration with the private sector.

This 6th Project Partner Meeting is another important milestone for ASEAN Sustainable Agrifood Systems to review past achievements and discuss challenges to develop strategies for project implementation beyond 2015.

Dr. Matthias Bickel, Project Director of ASEAN Sustainable Agrifood Systems

Considering the progress and achievements of project activities over the past years, these meetings provides a platform for project partners from the ASEAN Member States and private sector to discuss challenges and lay out work plans and strategies for project implementation in the coming years.

Mr. Xaypladeth Choulamany, Director General of the Department of Planning and Cooperation and Leader of the Senior Official Meeting of the ASEAN Ministers on Agriculture and Forestry (SOM-AMAF) for Lao PDR, officially opened the meetings. He highlighted the commitments and efforts of all ASEAN Member States and the support from Development Partners and international organisations contributed to the success of the realisation of the ASEAN Community by the end of December 2015. He reiterated the commitments of the ASEAN Member States made at the 37thAMAF Meeting in the Philippines to continue the cooperation and deepen regional integration beyond 2015 to improve ASEAN’s agriculture, forestry and fisheries sectors and to achieve regional sustainable food security and nutrition. He recognized the efforts of the Member States with the support from the Federal Republic of Germany through ASEAN SAS to enable ASEAN Member States to implement the ASEAN Integrated Food Security (AIFS) Framework at national level and to strengthen the promotion of sustainable food production in the region.

In her Welcoming Remarks, Ms. Sri Dyah Kusumawardhani, Senior Officer of Agriculture Industries and Natural Resources Division of the ASEAN Secretariat underlined the importance of regional as well as global cooperation and partnerships for achieving food security and nutrition particularly through engaging civil society, private sector and research institutions. She emphasized the importance of sustainable food production through sustainable agrifood systems as addressed by ASEAN SAS and its contribution to food security. She also stressed that the meetings shall highlight emerging threats to food security such as environmental and climate-related changes and identify sustainable approaches for securing food production in the ASEAN region.

Dr. Matthias Bickel, Project Director of ASEAN SAS underscored in his Introductory remarks the German efforts to strengthen food and nutrition security through the promotion of sustainable agrifood systems to ensure food security at national and regional levels under the ASEAN Integrated Food Security (AIFS) Framework. He highlighted the progress made through the productive collaboration with the Member States to address sustainable food production in three intervention areas of policy frameworks, production technologies and market linkages. Considering ASEAN recognized World Economic Forum (WEF) and supported Grow Asia Partnership, which was officially launched in April 2015 to facilitate multi-stakeholder collaboration to enable sustainable and inclusive agricultural development in 10 ASEAN Member States, he emphasized that collaboration and partnership with private sector is the core factor for a success in achieving our goal. At his end note, Mr. Bickel concluded that this meeting is another important milestone for ASEAN SAS to review past achievements and discuss challenges to develop strategies for project implementation beyond 2015.

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22/11/201508/08/2017

Training on Food and Nutrition Security in Lao PDR

Food and nutrition security remains a priority agenda for the government of Lao PDR. The Lao government has shown its commitment in addressing food and nutrition security in the country by recently launching the National Zero Hunger Challenge aiming to eradicate hunger, food insecurity and malnutrition. At ASEAN level, Lao PDR engaged in the development process of the ASEAN Integrated Food Security (AIFS) Framework and the Strategic Plan of Action on Food and Nutrition Security in the ASEAN Region (SPA-FS) which provide scope and joint pragmatic approaches for cooperation among ASEAN Member States in addressing food security in the region.

At the national level, Lao PDR has developed and implemented a number of policies and strategies to strengthen food and nutrition security, namely the Agricultural Development Strategy to 2025 and Vision to 2030, the National Rice Production for National Food Security Strategy, Development Strategy of the Crop Sector 2025 and Vision 2030, and the National Nutrition Strategy and Plan of Action for 2010-2015.

One of the key recommendations from the Policy Dialogue on Food and Nutrition Security and the ASEAN Integrated Food Security Framework in Lao PDR which ASEAN Sustainable Agrifood Systems (ASEAN SAS) organised in collaboration with the Lao Department of Agriculture, Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry (MAF) on 10 July 2015 in Vientiane is the need for capacity development of government officials and farmers at both national and local levels to ensure effective implementation of relevant food and nutrition security policies and strategies in Lao PDR.

In line with the project strategy to enable ASEAN Member States to implement the AIFS Framework at national level, ASEAN SAS works with Lao government to strengthen capacity of its personnel on food and nutrition security in order to develop and implement effective policies and strategies addressing food and nutrition security in Lao PDR.

The Training on Food and Nutrition Security in Lao PDR co-organised by Department of Agriculture and ASEAN SAS on 5-9 October 2015 aimed to create understanding and enhance knowledge on food and nutrition security and strengthen facilitation skills of participants. 17 young and motivated officials from line Ministries including the Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry, Ministry of Health, Ministry of Education and Sport, Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment and National University of Laos have participated in the training. It is expected that these trainees shall take part in future activities of Lao government to strengthen provincial and district-level capacity in improving food and nutrition security situation of Lao PDR.

by Duangruetai Surasakjinda, ASEAN Sustainable Agrifood Systems

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22/06/201509/08/2017

Expert Group Meeting on framing Guidelines on Soil and Nutrition Management in Brunei

The 1^st National Expert Group Meeting on Soil and Nutrient Management (SNM) was convened on 8^th June 2015 for 3 days at Directorate office of the Department of Agriculture and Agrifood, Ministry of Industry and primary Resources. The Meeting provided face-to-face dialogue among the resource persons to discuss problems and recommendations, to exchange information, share experience and lessons learnt on the management of soil nutrient in promoting sustainable agriculture and food system at national level.

This effort was to provide information and inputs to the ASEAN Expert Group on SNM to develop the ASEAN Guidelines on Soil and Nutrient Management. The scope of the guidelines includes: General property of soils in ASEAN, Soil problems, good soil nutrient and crop management practices, fertilizer regulations and standards, soil pollution and other issues. This initiative is part of the ASEAN Sustainable Agrifood Systems (SAS) project supported by German Ministry of Economic Development and Cooperation (BMZ) and implemented by GIZ in collaboration with ASEAN Member States and the ASEAN Secretariat.

During the Meeting, brief presentation about the project and ASEAN Guidelines based on outcomes from the 1^st and 2^nd Regional Meeting of ASEAN Expert Group were made by a representative from GIZ – ASEAN Sustainable Agrifood Systems (ASEAN SAS), Bangkok. Besides, presentation was also made by officers and resource persons from the Department of Agriculture and Agrifood on soils and various issues like potential acid sulfate soils, soil erosion and on-going activities on soil nutrient management in the country.

Subsequently, discussions were made on good soil management practices, constraints in soil fertility, existing
regulations, standards and market information on fertilizers. During the Meeting, progressive farmers and fertilizer dealers were also participated and exchanged their views with suggestions in formulating national soil and nutrient management plan. The project period is for four years started from 2014 and end by 2017.

The progress of the recommendations of the national expert group will be updated to regional expert group from time to time to facilitate in developing the ASEAN Guidelines. The relevant activities as per their mandate will also be implemented during the project period.

Senior and relevant officers from the department were also attended during the meeting and shared their experiences on soils from crop production perspective.

By Wannipa Soda, ASEAN Sustainable Agrifood Systems

12/06/201509/08/2017

ASEAN Guidelines on Soil and Nutrient Management : Scope and outline finalised

The ASEAN Guidelines on Soil and Nutrient Management (SNM) will not be developed as a text book but recommendations based on best practices and knowledge particularly specific to ASEAN, agreed by senior specialists from eight ASEAN Member States attending the 2nd Meeting of the ASEAN Expert Group on Soil and Nutrient Management recently held in Singapore on 28-29 April 2015.

The primary objective of this two-day consultation meeting was to share knowledge and discuss the draft ASEAN Guidelines on Soil and Nutrient Management.

Dr. Thomas Jaekel, a Chief Technical Advisor of ASEAN Sustainable Agrifood Systems (SAS) project highlighted the need to harmonise thinking on SNM in ASEAN and emphasised the importance of this meeting in refining the scope and contents.

He said the Guidelines should include practical advice and actions and in particular to ensure the recommendations were tangible and applicable not just for policy makers but also for farmers.

The eight senior specialists as members of the Regional Technical Expert Group on Soil and Nutrient Management were from eight ASEAN Member States: Cambodia, Indonesia, Lao PDR, Malaysia, Myanmar, Singapore, Thailand and Vietnam.

“Soil and nutrient management is an integrated system to manage soils, nutrients, water and crops in a sustainable manner to optimize crop production and improve soil health.” The definition for SNM was finalised at the meeting.

The meeting also refined the objectives of the ASEAN Guidelines. They are to emphasise the importance of soil and nutrient management in attaining sustainable agriculture; to provide guidance that helps decision makers to formulate policies that encourage sustainable agriculture, crop production and soil health; and to harmonise recommendations in order to improve soil and nutrient management.

The 1^st draft of ASEAN Guidelines on SNM was presented at the meeting. Discussion was conducted based on contents of the 1^st draft.

The ASEAN Guidelines on SNM will cover issues of soil in ASEAN; good soil management practices; good nutrient management practices; standards, regulations and market information of fertiliser and supplements and recommendations for soil and nutrient management.

The meeting agreed that the members of Regional Technical Expert Group on SNM are responsible for writing up the detailed contents of the five working topics based on their experience and expertise in relation to local condition.

Submission of completed set of the contents for drafting the 2^nd draft of ASEAN Guidelines on SNM is expected by the end of September 2015.

The ASEAN Sustainable Agrifood Systems (SAS) project aimed at developing policies and strategies for soil and nutrient management in a form of a guidance document. A Regional Technical Expert Group on Soil and Nutrient Management has been established and meets regularly to develop the guidelines.

By Wannipa Soda and Rojana Manowalailao, ASEAN Sustainable Agrifood Systems

28/04/201510/08/2017

Progress updates on development of the ASEAN’s Soil and Nutrient Management Guidelines

National-soil-and-nutrient-management-experts-met-at-the-consultation-meeting-in-Vietnam

Scope of contents of the Guidelines on Soil and Nutrient Management was finalized at the 2^nd regional meeting of the ASEAN Expert Group on Soil and Nutrient Management (SNM) in Singapore on 28-29 April 2015. The Meeting agreed to shape up the SNM Guidelines content to include: Chapter I: Properties and issues of soils in ASEAN Member States; Chapter II: Good soil management practices; Chapter III: Good nutrient management practices; Chapter IV: Standards, regulations and market information of fertilizer and supplements; and Chapter V: Recommendations on Soil and Nutrient Management.

Brunei News features the national consultation meeting conducted by the Department of Agriculture and Agrifood on 8 – 10 May 2015

Following the Singapore Meeting, the 2^nd national consultation meetings in different ASEAN Member States (AMS) have been expected to be conducted. The consultation meeting aims at sharing and discussion of the key outcomes of the regional meeting. This includes planning of relevant activities and identify respective responsible for preparation of inputs contribute to writing up contents of the ASEAN SNM Guidelines. In Brunei Darussalam the national consultation meeting was conducted by the Department of Agriculture and Agrifood on 8 – 10 May 2015. In Vietnam, the consultation meeting was held by the Department of Crop Production (DCP) on 28 – 29 June 2015.

To steer the process on preparation of inputs, a monitoring process has been conducting through a status report form. Presently, only Malaysia, Myanmar, Thailand, and Vietnam provide feedback in this regard. Base on the status reports obtained fromAMS, Malaysia is the most progressive one followed by Thailand, Vietnam and Myanmar.

AMS are being expected to submit completed draft of country inputs on subject matter by the end of October for consolidation. The contents received from the AMS will be reviewed by experts at the 3^rd Meeting of ASEAN Expert Group on Soil and Nutrient Management to be held in November 2015 in Vientiane, Lao PDR.

By Wannipa Soda, ASEAN Sustainable Agrifood Systems

Group photo of soil and nutrient management experts in Brunei Darussalam

12/03/201509/08/2017

Malaysia Expert Group Meeting on developing ASEAN Guidelines on Soil and Nutrient Management

The 1st National Expert Group Meeting on Soil and Nutrient Management that organized by Soil Resource Management and Conservation Division, Department of Agriculture was held in Malaysia on 12 March 2015 at Department of Agriculture, Putrajaya. National Members Expert from Malaysian Palm Oil Board, Malaysian Agricultural Research and Development Institute, University Putra Malaysia, Malaysian Nuclear Agency, Malaysian Rubber Board and ESPEK Research and Advisory Services Sdn. Bhd. were invited to discuss the draft ASEAN Guidelines on Soil and Nutrient Management; roles of National Expert Group in developing guidelines and exchange information.

The meeting begun with a briefing by Ms. Wannipa Soda, representative from GIZ’s ASEAN Sustainable Agrifood Systems (ASEAN SAS) on scopes of the Soil and Nutrient Management which was finalized at the 2^nd Regional Meeting of the ASEAN Expert Group in Singapore on 28-29 April 2015. The second presentation was delivered by Mr. Borhan Jantan, expert from Department of Agriculture of Malaysia. He described the outline of ASEAN Guidelines on Soil and Nutrient Management towards Sustainable Agriculture and Food Systems. National Members Expert later discussed the contents include:

Chapter 1: Properties and issues of soil in ASEAN

Chapter 2: Good soil management practices

Chapter 3: Good nutrient management practices

Chapter 4: Standard, regulations and market information of fertilizer and
supplements

Chapter 5: Recommendations for soil and nutrient management

Based on the differences among the ASEAN Member States, regional mechanism is required for cooperation and coordinating on soil and nutrient management at regional level. In dealing with the issues at regional level, there are needs for ASEAN to provide policy recommendations that support the implementation of effective and efficient approaches in managing soil and nutrient, along with other complementary measures in order to maintain and increase crop productivity, whilst securing productive capacity of soils. This underlines the need for good cooperation among AMS to establish a regional working group to develop a set of recommendation on soil and nutrient management for the region. In response to the needs, ASEAN SAS has an initiative entitled “Development of Regional Guidelines on Soil and Nutrient Management” in 2014.

The meeting also emphasized the importance of soil and nutrient management through diverse farming approaches to promote the sustainable agriculture. Relevant concern and issues had also been discussed and taken into consideration on Soil Quality Standard and how to manage the good soil to sustained the soil including mangrove area.

The recommendations and relevant activities of the National Expert Group will be updated to Regional Expert Group for development of ASEAN Soil and Nutrient Management Guidelines.

Supported by ASEAN SAS, it is expected that ASEAN Guidelines on Soil and Nutrient Management will provide regionally coordinated guidance to facilitate decision makers in formulation of policy recommendations on soil and nutrient management that will promote sustainable agrifood systems in the region.

15/12/201409/08/2017

The 5th Project Partner Meeting and related Meetings in Nay Pyi Taw, Myanmar from 2-4 December 2014

Four Regional Meetings to Agree Step Forward in Addressing Food Security

Authors:
Pouchamarn Wongsanga
Duangruetai Surasakjinda

During 2-4 December 2014, the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN), GIZ together with the Department of Agriculture of Myanmar’s Ministry of Agriculture and Irrigation organized the 5^th Project Partner Meeting (PPM) of the “ASEAN Sustainable Agrifood Systems (SAS)”, The 6^th Meeting of the ASEAN BCA Expert Groups on Application and Regulation, The 1^st Meeting of the ASEAN Soil and Nutrient Management Expert Group, and The Dialogue on ASEAN Integrated Food Security (AIFS) Framework at in Nay Pyi Taw, Myanmar.

Attended by over 60 participants from nine ASEAN Member States, with the exception of Brunei Darussalam, the meetings highlighted progress of activities and discussed strategies and project activities as step forward for activities implementation at regional and national levels from 2015-2017.

Overview of the implementation strategies of the ASEAN Sustainable Agrifood Systems

The 5^th PPM agreed with the overall implementation strategies of SAS project outlining key activities and their linkages across the three intervention areas, namely policy framework, production technologies (i.e. biocontrol agents, soil and nutrient management), and market linkages. Project implementation strategies appears below.

The 5^th PPM recognized that other GIZ partner projects could provide complementary support in the implementation of SAS Project. These projects include:

Forestry and Climate Change (FOR-CC) (Climate Smart Agriculture Component)
Better Rice Initiative Asia (BRIA)
ASEAN Food Standard
Remote sensing-based Information and Insurance for Crops in Emerging Economies (RIICE)

Outcomes and Recommendations of the 6^th Meeting of ASEAN BCA Expert Groups on Application and Regulation

The proposed activities and interventions namely, policy frameworks, implementation of production technologies, and market linkages were discussed and agreed. Complementing the interventions at national level for achieving the project goals of SAS, there are some regionally integrative elements that support the implementation of the AIFS and also relate to ASEAN standards like ASEAN Good Agricultural Practices (GAP) and Organic.

Outcomes and Recommendations of the 1^st Meeting of ASEAN Soil and Nutrient Management (SNM) Expert Group

The Meeting agreed on the following.

Draft definition of the term “soil and nutrient management” for ASEAN Guidelines as “Soil and nutrient management is an integrated measure to manage soils, nutrients, water and crops in a sustainable manner to optimize crop production”;
The tentative scope of ASEAN Guidelines on SNM; and
To include general role concerning the bio-input database after the scope is defined.

Outcomes and Recommendations of the Dialogue on ASEAN Integrated Food Security (AIFS) Framework

The Dialogue discussed on what and how “ASEAN Sustainable Agrifood Systems (SAS)” can support ASEAN and ASEAN Member States. The recommendations for activities have been provided in relation to the two topics discussed i.e. a) Synergizing food security policy (national and regional) as well as develop and promote Sustainable Agrifood Systems; and b) Developing/promoting market linkages.

Challenges and Way Forward for the ASEAN Sustainable Agrifood Systems

SAS project should give focus in the promotion of sustainable agrifood systems and how it will contribute to food security in ASEAN;
Sustainable agrifood systems should target on GAP products by improving integrated pest management (through the use of bio-inputs), better soil and nutrient management, and market linkages. Organic products could be considered if they are considered high priority in the country(s);
Policy dialogue on food and nutrition security at both regional and national levels are important to raise awareness on the AIFS Framework, linkages and contribution of sustainable agrifood systems to food security and other issues of importance (i.e. food trade, nutrition, etc.);
Planning and implementation of SAS activities across intervention areas at both regional and national levels should be coordinated to ensure interlinkages, synergies and greater impacts; and
Capacity development is considered a cross-cutting issue across intervention areas and should be designed and developed to suit the target groups and context.

Launching and handing over of the translation AIFS Framework and ASEAN BCA Guidelines

In conjunction with four meetings, the translation the ASEAN Integrated Food Security (AIFS) Framework and the ASEAN Guidelines on the Regulation, Use and Trade of Biological Control Agent (BCA) was launched and handed over to Head delegations from Cambodia, Lao PDR, Myanmar and Thailand for the implementation by the ASEAN Member States at national level.

ASEAN Integrated Food Security (AIFS) Framework and the Strategic Plan of Action on Food Security in the ASEAN region (SPA-FS)

The translation of AIFS Framework and SPA-FS has been accomplished for Cambodia, Lao PDR, Myanmar and Thailand with a view to facilitating the implementation at the national level and promoting awareness and understanding among concerned stakeholders, which need multi-disciplinary and multi-stakeholder approaches and collaboration.

It is hoped that AIFS Framework provides a useful basis for mutual understanding on food security and the development of policies and strategies to improve food security situation at national level and contributes to ASEAN integration and community-building process.

ASEAN BCA Guidelines

The ASEAN Guidelines on the Regulation, Use and Trade of Biological Control Agent (BCA) describes ways to improve sustainable crop protection through more extended use of BCA in concert with the principles of “integrated pest management”. A working definition, focusing on BCA within the context of internationally-recognized IPM narratives. BCA encompass a wide range of products. It is acknowledged that they are not applicable to all pest management situations, so specific case studies, where application appears effective and feasible; regulations and how they might develop in future, with necessary improvements, rationalization and harmonization; and suggestions for improvement that integrate aspects of regulation and use of BCA in details are described in the Guidelines.

It is hope that the Guidelines provides an agreed framework for future development of BCA: specifically creating a regional blueprint for national regulation and implementation strategies. In addition, harmonization of registration requirements would make regulation of BCA easier, less costly and promote their trade between ASEAN Member States.

06/12/201409/08/2017

1st ASEAN Expert Group on Soil and Nutrient Management

The First Meeting of ASEAN Expert Group on Soil and Nutrient Management

German International Cooperation (GIZ) through the ASEAN Sustainable Agrifood Systems (ASEAN SAS) project hosted the First Meeting of the ASEAN Expert Group on Soil and Nutrient Management (SNM) for the ASEAN Guidelines on Soil and Nutrient Management (SNM), from 3^rd – 4^th December 2014 in Nay Pyi Taw, Myanmar. The two-day meeting was attended by delegates from the nine ASEAN Members States (AMS).

Food security has been recognised as an importance agenda of ASEAN. In addressing long term food security and improve the livelihood of farmers in the region, there are need for ASEAN to provide regionally coordinated policy recommendations in particular to support sound management of soil and nutrient in promoting sustainable agriculture and food production systems in the region.

In order to achieve this, the project aims i) to establish the Regional Technical Expert Group on Soil and Nutrient Management; and ii) to develop the ASEAN Guidelines on Soil and Nutrient Management.

The First meeting of ASEAN Expert Group on SNM served as a face-to-face dialogue platform for ten senior experts from AMS to brainstorm ideas and discuss on the scope of guidelines, objectives, and target user. The Meeting also discussed their roles and responsibilities in drafting the ASEAN Guidelines. Thandar Nyi from Myanmar and Dr. Varughese Philipfrom the Philippines were elected as the chairperson and the vice chairperson of the Meeting, respectively

The key outcomes from the First meeting include:

Tentative scope of the Guidelines to cover general property of soils in ASEAN; soil problems in ASEAN; good soil, nutrient and crop management practices; fertiliser regulations and standards.
Term of Reference (TOR) of the Regional Technical ExpertsGroup in writing up the ASEAN Guidelines with support from national experts through national consultation meetings and fora.

The next expert group meeting will be held in April 2015 to discuss further on the draft outline of contents of ASEAN Guidelines on soil and nutrient management.

By Wannipa Soda, ASEAN Sustainable Agrifood Systems

23/04/201411/08/2017

ASEAN Biocontrol Strengthens the Capacity of the National Trainer Pool for Food Security and Nutrition in Cambodia

8.-Activities-Cambodia23-25.04.2013-640×360

The ASEAN Biocontrol Project and the Council for Agricultural and Rural Development (CARD) jointly organized a three-day Refresher Training Course for the National Trainer Pool in PhnomPenh, Cambodia from April 23–25, 2013. The training is one of the project activities to support the implementation of the ASEAN Integrated Food Security (AIFS) Framework and its Strategic Plan of Action for Food Security (SPA-FS).

Aimed at strengthening the capacity of the National Trainer Pool for Food Security and Nutrition in Cambodia, the training introduced emerging topics in food security and nutrition such as climate change and social safety nets.

Additionally, the trainers were acquainted with the AIFS Framework, which is a joint approach for cooperation among the ASEAN member states in dealing with the food security issues in the region to ensure long-term food security and to improve the livelihoods of farmers. The AIFS Framework was adopted at the 14th ASEAN Summit in 2009.

The National Trainer Pool for Food Security and Nutrition, officially established in 2009, comprises members of government, development partners, institutions, civil society and NGOs.

The Trainer Pool, which is managed by CARD, plays a vital role in strengthening human resource development in the field of food security and nutrition in Cambodia. Eighteen trainers from the Pool actively participated in the three-day training.

A representative from the Department of Agriculture, Lao PDR also attended to learn how the Trainer Pool functions and exchange experiences. The Trainer Pool plans to organize 12 training sessions at the national, sub-national and community levels before the end of 2013.

27/03/201411/08/2017

The 5th (Joint) Meeting of the ASEAN BCA Expert Groups on Application and Regulation in Phnom Penh, Cambodia from 12 March 2014

The Fifth Meetings of the ASEAN BCA Expert Groups on Application and Regulation are jointly organized on 12 March 2014 in Phnom Penh, Cambodia.

ASEAN BCA Expert Groups on Application and Regulation convened to review the draft of the ASEAN Guidelines on the Regulation, Use and Trade of Biological Control Agents (BCA) which would be further submitted to the ASEAN Working Group on Crops (ASWGC) for approval.

The Experts discussed and provided comments on the ASEAN Guidelines and agreed to include a short message from Myanmar who recently participated in the Meeting of ASEAN BCA Expert Groups.

There are ongoing field trials in Cambodia and Thailand to evaluate the effectiveness of BCA for pest and disease management in which the progress on the field trials has been reported to the Meeting. The results from the field trials would also be incorporated into the ASEAN Guidelines.

The Expert Groups proposed to meet again after the endorsement of the ASEAN Guidelines.