The document discusses capacity development efforts in the Asia-Pacific region to strengthen agricultural research and development. It outlines training programs, workshops, and publications conducted by various organizations to build skills in biotechnology, information sharing, and open access. The goals are to enhance capacities in new tools and techniques, promote networking and knowledge sharing, and increase advocacy and awareness of success stories. Outcomes included scientists applying new skills and countries recognizing frameworks to improve access to agricultural information.

1. Putting the GCARD Roadmap into Practice
Enabling Capacity Development
into Practice in the Asia-Pacific
Region
Dr S. Attaluri
APARIS Coordinator
APAARI
GCARD2 Conference, Room Rio De Janeiro C, Conrad Resort and Casino, Punta del
Este, Uruguay, 28 October, 2012

2. OUTLINE
•Capacity Development for Agricultural Biotechnology through
APCoAB:
•APCoAB Training programs on new tools and techniques in
developing NARS.
•Advocacy and awareness building through technical
publications, success stories and status reports.
•Capacity Development for Sharing Agricultural Information and
Knowledge in the Region through APARIS:
•Strengthening APARIS and Implementation of APAARI
Communication Strategy
•Capacity Development for Coherence in Information in AR4D
•Advocacy and Policy Support to ICT/ICM in AR4D through Status
Report, Success Stories and Development of Databases

3. Capacity Development for Agri-
Biotechnology
– Organization of training programs to enhance
capacities of in new tools and techniques on
germplasm conservation, pesticide residue
detection, livestock reproductive technologies and
mushroom production etc., by APCoAB
– Promoting new linkages with scientists working in
biotechnologies in
Malaysia, Iran, Philippines, Oman, Chinese
Taipei, India, Thailand and Vietnam
– Advocacy and awareness building through
technical publications, status reports and success

4. Capacity Development for Agri-
Biotechnology
• Activity
–Training Workshop on Assisted
Reproductive Technologies for
Livestock Genetic
Improvement, with LRI and ILRI in
October 2010, Chinese Taipei.
• Outputs
– 10 scientists attended
– Training imparted on application of artificial insemination in
mammals, poultry, ducks and geese; embryo transfer and in vitro
fertilization; nuclear transfer and somatic cell cloning; genomic
breeding; and animal genetic resources for biomedical research
– Demonstrations held on AI, including equipment and procedures.

5. Capacity Development for Agri-
Biotechnology
• Activity
–International Training Course on
In Vitro and Cryopreservation
Techniques for Conservation of
Plant Genetic Resources with
NBPGR, Bioversity
International, New
Delhi, November 2010 and
• November 2011.
Outputs
– 35 senior scientists from developing countries trained in two
training programs
– Modern techniques of germplasm conservation were imparted
– Hands-on training, kits and laboratory manuals provided to the
participants.

6. Capacity Development for Agri-
Biotechnology
• Activity
–Training course on Edible
Mushroom Production for Asian
Farmers and Entrepreneurs with
TARI, FFTC and SEARCA, Chinese
Taipei n November, 2010
• Outputs
– 15 researchers, officials and extension workers equipped with
improved technologies for mushroom production, value-added
products and market prospects
– Practical demonstrations on tissue isolation, sub-culture and
preservation of cultures
– Exposed to on-farm mushroom farms and interaction with large
and small scale growers.

7. Capacity Development for Agri-
Biotechnology
• Activity
–Workshop on Rapid Bioassay for
Pesticide Residues on Fruits and
Vegetables for Market Inspection and
Farm Education with Taiwan Agricultural
Research Institute, Taichung, June 2011.
• Outputs
– 20 scientific and technical staff from developing NARS trained
– Modern techniques of pesticide residue detection were
imparted
– Hands-on training, kits and laboratory manuals provided to the
participants.

8. Capacity Development for Agri-
Biotechnology
• Outcomes
– A number of participants reported successful application of
the new knowledge and skills in their laboratories while some
could even established new laboratories. These indicate more
lasting benefits of such capacity building programs.
• Lessons learnt
– Asia-Pacific countries can benefit from regional cooperation
in capacity building in number of common priority areas of
agricultural research and development.
– Capacity building programs can make meaningful difference if
an enabling environment for applying the new knowledge and
skills is ensured.

9. Advocacy and Awareness Building for
Agri-Biotechnologies through Publications
Micropropogation of Date
Palm
Micropropagation in
Sugarcane in Asia-Pacific
Region
Micropropagation for
Production of Quality Banana
Planting Material in Asia-
Pacific
Strengthening of Plant
Genetic Resources for Food
and Agricultural Conservation
in the Pacific
Biofuel Growers Market
Network : A Success Story
Bt Cotton in India.
Micropropagation for Quality
Seed Production in Sugarcane
in Asia and Pacific
Commercialization of Bt
Cotton in the Philippines.

10. Capacity Development for Sharing
Agricultural Information and Knowledge
– Development and implementation of APAARI
Communication Strategy to strengthen Asia-Pacific
Agricultural Research Information System (APARIS)
and support Coherence in Agricultural Information
Management in the region
– Promoting participation, collaboration and
contribution of ARD stakeholders to increase
access to agricultural information and knowledge
in the region.

11. Strengthening APARIS - Implementation
of Communication Strategy
• Outputs
– APAARI Communication Strategy 2010-2015
 Mapping Stakeholders, Information
Needs, Information Channels, and
Communication Plan
• Outcomes
– All ARD Stakeholders reached
– APAARI web space improved into a platform for ARD
dialogue / consultation
– Appropriate use of communication and channels and ICM
applications

12. Strengthening APARIS - Implementation
of Communication Strategy
• Impact
– Greater sharing of information and knowledge
– Partnerships among National Information Nodal Points
(NINPs), Information Resources and Experts established.
– Linkages established among ARD Information and
Knowledge Networks in the region.
• Lessons
– Capacities needed to develop and implement
Communication Strategies at the National level.

13. Capacity Development for Coherence
in Information in AR4D
– Strengthening APARIS and develop
capacities of National Information Nodes
for sharing information and knowledge at
the regional and global levels.
– Facilitation of the Coherence in
Information for Agricultural Research for
Development (CIARD) initiative in the
region with the support of GFAR and FAO.

14. Capacity Development for Coherence
in Information in AR4D
• Activity
– “Workshop on CIARD and
Strengthening RAIS in the SAARC
Countries” in May 2011 in
Bangladesh for South Asia sub-
region.
• Outputs
– 38 ICM Managers trained on the concepts
of CIARD, CIARD RING and APARIS
– Proceedings of the workshop published.

15. Capacity Development for Coherence
in Information in AR4D
• Outcomes
– National Agricultural Information Systems joined CIARD RING
– Advocacy for CIARD within the organizations.
• Impact
– Use of Agropedia (India), Institutional repositories (IRRI, ICRISAT)
and open journals (ICAR) increased.
– Creation of national information grid linked to CIARD RING expected.
• Lessons
– Need for advocacy to policy makers, research managers and ICM
specialists on "openness” in sharing agricultural information
– Need for training programs on use of social media and web 2.0 tools
by the national systems.

16. Capacity Development for Coherence
in Information in AR4D
• Activity
– “Workshop on Information and
Communications Management
for Agricultural Innovation in
Southeast Asia” in Sept., 2011 in
Thailand for Southeast Asia.
• Outputs
– 35 ICM Managers, Agricultural Communication
Specialists and Scientists trained on the
concepts of CIARD, CIARD RING and APARIS
– 9 Country papers presented besides papers
from CACAARI, IRRI, CIFOR and WorldFish
– Proceedings of the workshop published.

17. Capacity Development for Coherence
in Information in AR4D
• Outcomes
– National Agricultural Information Systems joined CIARD RING
– Efforts made to improve access to agricultural information by
famers and scientists through CIARD Framework (Thai CIARD);
and knowledge repositories (Rice Knowledge Bank of IRRI).
• Lessons
– Need for use of mobile technologies; advocacy and leadership
development; and availability of content in local language are
key for the success of ICM in agriculture.

18. Capacity Development for Coherence
in Information in AR4D
• Activity
– Workshop on “Moving Beyond Strategy
to Improve Information and Knowledge
Management for Agricultural
Development in the Pacific Islands
Countries and Territories” in
November, 2011 in Fiji Islands for the
Pacific.
• Outputs
– 35 ICM Managers, Agricultural Communication
Specialists and Scientists trained on the concepts
of CIARD, CIARD RING and APARIS
– 9 country papers presented
– Proceedings of the workshop published.

19. Capacity Development for Coherence
in Information in AR4D
• Outcomes
– National Agricultural Information Systems recognized use and
application of CIARD and CIARD RING.
• Lessons
– Need to involve NGOs and existing networks- local
councils, women groups, church groups, youth
groups, teachers etc.
– Need to promote community e-centers, mixed media at the
community level; use of web 2.0 / social media
– Need to create local contents in local language
– Need for capacity building at different levels in organizations
through sensitization, awareness, training / workshops and
success stories.

20. Capacity Development for ‘Openness’ in
Agricultural Information and Knowledge Sharing
• Activity
– One-day Session on “Openness in
Agricultural Information and Knowledge
Sharing” in November, 2011 in New
Delhi, India in the International Conference
on Innovative Approaches for Agricultural
Knowledge Management: Global Extension
Experiences.
• Outputs
– More than 400 participants sensitized on need
for ‘openness’ in agricultural information and
knowledge sharing
– 12 papers presented
– Proceedings of the session published.

21. Capacity Development for ‘Openness’ in
Agricultural Information and Knowledge Sharing
• Outcomes
– Efforts for ‘openness’ in sharing agricultural research
information and knowledge at the national level initiated –
Open Access India, institutional repositories, journal articles
etc.
• Lessons
– To usher ‘openness’ in agricultural information and
knowledge sharing, we need to consider i) technological
issues, ii) institutional issues, and iii) community issues.
– Increasing investment in ICT/ICM in agriculture
– Policy support and collaboration / convergence in ICM for
agricultural innovation.

22. Advocacy and Policy Support to
ICT/ICM in AR4D
– Production of status reports and success
stories/cases in ICT/ICM for sharing and advocacy
for replication of success stories in AR4D institutes
and organization in the region.
– Development of ARD databases.

23. Advocacy and Policy Support to
ICT/ICM in AR4D
• Outputs
– Status Report on ICT/ICM in AR4D in the Asia-Pacific Region
Assessment of ICT/ICM in 19 NARS:
 ICT infrastructure and Capacity
 Information Systems
 Policy and Strategies
 Contents
 ICT Applications
 Information and
Communication Services
 Information and
Communication Channels

24. Advocacy and Policy Support to
ICT/ICM in AR4D
Table 4. Policy and strategy support to ICM in NARS
Increased political commitment to transform AR4D
S.no NARS ICM policy at ICT/ICM Metadata ICT/ICM Separate Centralised Appointment Adoption of Implementa Implemetation
oragnisational strategy in standards rules provision for ICM Unit of ICTM global tion of Info. of IPRs
level the investment in experts standards for System
organisation ICT/ICM managing security
ARD info.
1 Bangladesh ↑ ↑ ○ ○ ↑ ○ ○ ↑ x ○
systems with appropriate policies and strategies
2 Bhutan ↑ ↑ ○ ○ ○ ○ ↑ ○ ↑ ○
3 Cambodia ↑ ↑ ↑ ↑ ↑ ↑ ↑ ↑ ↑ ↑
4 Chinese Taipei √ √ √ √ √ √ √ ○ √ √
5 Fiji ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ↑ ↑
6 India √ √ ↑ √ √ √ √ √ √ ↑
7
Indonesia ↑ ↑ ↑ ↑ ↑ ↑ √ ↑ √ ↑
8 Japan √ √ √ √ √ √ √ ↑ √ √
9 Loa PDR ○ ↑ ○ ↑ ○ ↑ ○ ○ ○ ○
Increased, improved and targeted investment in
10 Malaysia √ √ √ √ √ √ √ ↑ ↑ ↑
11 Myanmar ○ x x x x x ○ x ○ x
12 Nepal ○ ○ x x x ↑ ○ x x x
13 Pakistan ↑ √ ↑ √ ↑ √ √ √ ↑ ↑
14 Papua New ↑ ↑ ○ ↑ ↑ ↑ ↑ ↑ ↑ ○
ICM for agricultural development at the national level 15
16
17
Guinea
Philippines
Samoa
Sri Lanka
√
x
↑
√
x
↑
√
○
○
√
x
↑
√
x
○
√
x
↑ ↑
√
x
↑
x
↑
√
↑
x
↑
x
√
18 Thailand ↑ ↑ ↑ ↑ ↑ ↑ ↑ ↑ √ ↑
19 Vietnam ↑ ↑ ↑ ↑ ↑ ↑ ↑ ↑ ↑ ↑
Development of capacities in ICM in the areas of
Table 10. ICM applications that enable farm advisory, extension and marketing
Info. Info.needs Info. Networki ng Ma rket Li nki ng i nput- Onl i ne e-Aucti oni ng Commodi ty Trecea bi l i ty
needs of of fa rmers needs of a gri . i nfo. fa rmers output ma rkets excha nges a ppl i ca ti ons
NARS extens i on Agri entre ma rkets to ma ngt.
a gents preneurs ma rkets
infrastructure, hardware, software, connectivity, skills, ge
1 Ba ngl a des h ○ x x x ○ x x x x ○ x
2 Bhuta n ↑ ↑ ↑ ↑ ↑ ○ ○ x x x x
3 Ca mbodi a ↑ ↑ ↑ ↑ ↑ ↑ ↑ ↑ x ↑ ○
4 Chi nes e Ta i pei √ √ √ √ √ √ ○ √ √ √ √
○ ○ ○ ○
neration and dissemination of relevant content in weak
5 Fi ji ↑ ↑ ↑ ↑ ↑ ↑ ↑
6 Indi a √ √ ↑ ↑ ↑ ↑ ↑ ↑ ↑ ↑ ↑
7 Indones i a ↑ ○ ○ ↑ ↑ ↑ ↑ √ x ↑ x
8 Ja pa n √ √ √ √ √ √ √ √ √ √ √
9 Loa PDR x x x x x x x x x x x
NARS in the region 10
11
12
Ma l a ys i a
Mya nma r
Nepa l
↑
↑
○
↑
○
○
↑
○
○
↑
○
○
√
x
○
√
x
↑
x
x
○
√
x
↑
x
x
x
x
x
x
x
x
x
13 Pa ki s ta n ↑ ↑ ↑ ○ ↑ ○ ○ ○ x x x
14 Pa pua New ↑ ↑ ↑ ○ ○ ↑ ↑ x x ↑ x
Gui nea
15 Phi l i ppi nes ↑ ↑ ↑ ↑ ↑ ↑ ↑ ↑ ↑ ↑ ↑
Improving governance of agricultural information
16 Sa moa ↑ ↑ ↑ ↑ x x x x x x x
17
Sri La nka √ ↑ ↑ ↑ ↑ ○ ○ ↑ ○ ○ ○
18 Tha i l a nd ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○
19 Vi etna m √ √ √ ↑ ↑ ↑ ↑ ↑ ↑ ↑ ↑
systems at the national level including those of national Table 10. ICM applications that enable farm advisory, extension and marketing
Info. Info.needs Info. Networki ng Ma rket Li nki ng i nput- Onl i ne e-Aucti oni ng Commodi ty Trecea bi l i ty
systems of agricultural research and innovation systems 1
NARS
Ba ngl a des h
needs of
extens i on
a gents
○
of fa rmers needs of a gri .
x
Agri entre ma rkets
preneurs
x x
i nfo.
○
fa rmers
to
ma rkets
x
output ma rkets
ma ngt.
x x x
excha nges a ppl i ca ti ons
○ x
2 Bhuta n ↑ ↑ ↑ ↑ ↑ ○ ○ x x x x
3 Ca mbodi a ↑ ↑ ↑ ↑ ↑ ↑ ↑ ↑ x ↑ ○
4 Chi nes e Ta i pei √ √ √ √ √ √ ○ √ √ √ √
5 Fi ji ↑ ↑ ↑ ↑ ↑ ↑ ↑ ○ ○ ○ ○
Collective actions for enabling greater sharing of √ √
6 Indi a ↑ ↑ ↑ ↑ ↑ ↑ ↑ ↑ ↑
7 Indones i a ↑ ○ ○ ↑ ↑ ↑ ↑ √ x ↑ x
8 Ja pa n √ √ √ √ √ √ √ √ √ √ √
9 Loa PDR x x x x x x x x x x x
10 Ma l a ys i a ↑ ↑ ↑ ↑ √ √ x √ x x x
data, information objects and information across 11
12
13
14
Mya nma r
Nepa l
Pa ki s ta n
Pa pua New
↑
○
↑
↑
○
○
↑
↑
○
○
↑
↑
○
○
○
○
↑
x
○
○
x
↑
○
↑
x
○
○
↑
↑
x
○
x
x
x
x
x
x
x
x
↑
x
x
x
x
Institutes and information systems at national, regional 15
16
Gui nea
Phi l i ppi nes
Sa moa
Sri La nka
↑
↑
√
↑
↑
↑
↑
↑
↑
↑
↑
↑
↑
↑
x
↑
x
○
↑
x
○
↑
↑
x
↑
x
○
↑
x
○
↑
x
○
17
and global levels. 18 Tha i l a nd
19 Vi etna m
○
√
○
√
○
√
○
↑ ↑
○ ○
↑
○
↑ ↑
○
↑
○ ○
↑ ↑
○

25. Advocacy and Policy Support to
ICT/ICM in AR4D
• Outputs
– Success Stories on ICT/ICM in AR4D in Asia and the Pacific Region
(2011)
Bangladesh: Empowering Farmers through
Information and Communication Technology (ICT): A
Success Story on Mati-O-Manush (Land-and-Farmer)
Public Television Program in Bangladesh
India : aAQUA: ICT-enabled Knowledge Services to
Farmers in India
Nepal: Impact of Community Radios on Technology
Adoption and Marketing Efficiency of Vegetable
Crops in Nepal
Philippines: Inter- Farmers' Information and
Technology Service (FITS) Trading through
Information and Communication Technology (ICT)
Sri Lanka: ICT initiative for Agriculture Extension by
the Department of Agriculture – Sri Lanka.

26. Advocacy and Policy Support to
ICT/ICM in AR4D
• Outputs
– Agricultural Information and Knowledge for All- Success Stories on
ICT/ICM in the Asia-Pacific Region (2012).
India: Open Access to Agricultural Research
Information in ICAR
India :Empowering Farmers through Rice
Knowledge Management Portal in India
Malaysia : AGROBIS: Tools for Managing
Agrobiodiversity Data and Information Sharing
in Malaysia
Philippines :Knowledge Networking for
Agricultural Research for Development: The
Philippines K-AgriNet Program.

27. Advocacy and Policy Support to
ICT/ICM in AR4D
• Outcomes
– Increase of understanding on the status of ICT/ICM in AR4D in NARS
• Impacts
– findings and lessons have been used for improving capacities,
investment in ICM and advocacy.
• Lessons
– Increased, improved and targeted investment in ICM in agriculture
– Improving governance of agricultural information systems and capacity
development
– Enabling greater sharing of data, information.
– Need documentation of success stories and cases from other countries
to disseminate proven technologies and bright spots.

28. Advocacy and Policy Support to
ICT/ICM in AR4D
– Development of database of institutions and
experts to provide access to existing ARD
Institutions / Scientists.

29. Development of ARD Databases
• Activity
– Creation of ARD database platforms
• Outputs
– Database platform for
Contacts, Experts and Projects
created on APAARI website at
www.apaari.org/ard-database/
 250 contact details of ARD
experts and 150 ARD
institutions.

30. Development of ARD Databases
• Outcome
– National Agricultural Information Systems able to collaborate
and contribute to the databases.
• Impact
– Research and development links in the area of ICT
strengthened through APARIS activities.
– Databases are expected to grow with more information on
contacts, scientists and projects on continuous basis.
• Lessons
– Important activity to bridge knowledge gaps.
– Needs to popularize databases for collaboration and use.

31. Enabling Capacity Development into
Practice
• Partnerships and Linkages established among Scientists and
Institutions
• Successful application of new tools and techniques in agricultural
biotechnologies by developing NARS
• Institutions at National level recognized the use and application of
CIARD initiative in improving access to agricultural information
• Sharing of Agricultural Information and Knowledge Improved
through strengthening APARIS
• Increase of Awareness and Understanding on latest developments
in Agri-biotechnologies and uses and application of ICM in AR4D
through through Status Reports and Success Stories.

32. Visit APAARI Stall B16
in the Market Place
TITLE OF THE TOPIC
(example: Biodiversity: Actions and Contributions by Rural
Communities especially resource poor small holder farmers )