Title of document: Policy Brief - Issue No. 1: Promoting an Enabling Environment for the Private Sector for Sustainable Agricultural Mechanization Authors/editor: UN-ESCAP CSAM Journal’s name if any: Ministry/Government Agency/Organization: UN-ESCAP CSAM Year of publication: 2020 Geographic focus: Asia Main issues/ topics addressed (for example: Challenges Facing the Private Sector in Sustainable Agricultural Mechanization in the Asia-Pacific Region; Policy Recommendations…) School of agroecology (if any): Web address to original document (if any): http://www.un-csam.org/Publication/PB202007.pdf Summary: For the purpose of this policy brief, the ‘private sector’ in relation to agricultural mechanization is understood to comprise of four groups of economic actors: (1) farmers, (2) retailers and wholesalers, (3) manufacturers, and (4) importers. As this brief illustrates, the creation of an enabling environment for the private sector for sustainable agricultural mechanization requires related government entities to implement well-delineated policies, provide effectual incentives, and establish accessible communication channels…   Read More

Title of document: Mechanization of Agriculture: Market Dynamics in China, India, Sri Lanka and Thailand Authors/editor: UN-ESCAP CSAM Journal’s name if any: Ministry/Government Agency/Organization: UN-ESCAP CSAM Year of publication: 2020 Geographic focus: Asia Main issues/ topics addressed (for example: The Role of Mechanization in Agriculture; Country Market Dynamics; Summary of Findings and Conclusions…) School of agroecology (if any): Web address to original document (if any): http://www.un-csam.org/Publication/ReCAMA/RF2020.pdf Summary: Given multiple challenges, such as a growing population, poverty, and the adverse impacts of climate change that the farming community faces, agriculture mechanization plays a significant role in ensuring food security. The food production value chain comprises of a wide range of stakeholders who play different roles and contribute in numerous ways. This study was conducted to understand the market dynamics of agriculture machinery trade in China, India, Sri Lanka and Thailand. Such an understanding aims to assist various stakeholders, particularly manufacturers, exporters, importers, distributors, retailers, service providers and end-users, in their trade interactions with each other in different markets as well as exploring new opportunities.   Read More

Title of document: Mechanization Solutions for Improved Livestock Management and Prevention & Control of Zoonotic Diseases Authors/editor: UN-ESCAP CSAM Journal’s name if any: Ministry/Government Agency/Organization: UN-ESCAP CSAM Year of publication: 2020 Geographic focus: Asia Main issues/ topics addressed (for example: …) School of agroecology (if any): Web address to original document (if any): http://www.un-csam.org/Publication/2020/zoonoticpre_ENG.pdf Summary: Animal husbandry plays an important role in the agricultural industry. However, since the outbreak of the Coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic which has become a global crisis affecting human health and economic and social development, increased attention has been devoted to zoonotic diseases and measures for their prevention and control. Due to various factors such as weaknesses in anti-epidemic measures and social and cultural contexts, the Asia-Pacific region has always been an area with a high incidence of zoonotic diseases, causing huge losses to the livestock farming industry, and threatening human health and safety as well as people’s livelihood and food security.   Read More

Title of document: ECHO Development Notes - Issue 149, October 2020 Authors/editor: ECHO Asia Journal’s name if any: Ministry/Government Agency/Organization: ECHO Asia Year of publication: 2020 Geographic focus: Asia Main issues/ topics addressed (for example: Farmer-Centered Climate Change Mitigation; A Seed Trial Report; Upcoming Event: ECHO International Agriculture Conference - ONLINE EVENT…) School of agroecology (if any): Web address to original document (if any): https://assets.echocommunity.org/publication_issue/e414df45-2f56-4112-a601-761992903acd/en/edn-issue-149.pdf Summary: In this issue: Farmer-Centered Climate Change Mitigation: Part 2 of 2 From ECHO's Seed Bank: How Seeds from ECHO Grew in a Dry-Season Garden in Uganda Echoes from our Network: Grafting Tamarillo and OtherSolanaceous Crops for Nematode Resistance Books, Websites, and Other Resources: AT Fair Summary Upcoming Event: ECHO International Agriculture Conference - ONLINE EVENT   Read More

Title of document: Ecological pest control fortifies agricultural growth in Asia–Pacific economies Authors/editor: Kris A. G. Wyckhuys, Yanhui Lu, Wenwu Zhou, Matthew J. W. Cock, Steven E. Naranjo, Atumurirava Fereti, Frances E. Williams & Michael J. Furlong Journal’s name if any: nature ecology & evolution Ministry/Government Agency/Organisation: nature ecology & evolution Year of publication: 2020 Geographic focus: Asia Main issues/ topics addressed (for example: …) School of agroecology (if any): Web address to original document (if any): https://www.nature.com/articles/s41559-020-01294-y Summary: The Green Revolution is credited with alleviating famine, mitigating poverty and driving aggregate economic growth since the 1960s. In Asia, high-input technology packages secured a tripling of rice output, with germplasm improvements providing benefits beyond US$4.3 billion yr–1. Here, we unveil the magnitude and macro-economic relevance of parallel nature-based contributions to productivity growth in non-rice crops over the period 1918–2018 (across 23 different Asia–Pacific geopolitical entities). We empirically demonstrate how biological control resolved invasive pest threats in multiple agricultural commodities, ensuring annually accruing (on-farm) benefits of US$14.6–19.5 billion yr–1. Scientifically guided biological control of 43 exotic invertebrate pests permitted 73–100% yield-loss recovery in critical food, feed and fibre crops including banana, breadfruit, cassava and coconut. Biological control thereby promoted rural growth and prosperity even in marginal, poorly endowed, non-rice environments. By placing agro-ecological innovations on equal footing with input-intensive measures, our work provides lessons for future efforts to mitigate invasive species, restore ecological resilience and sustainably raise output of global agrifood systems…   Read More

Title of document: Delivering on the Promise of Biological Control in Asia's Food Systems: A Humboldtian Perspective Authors/editor: Kris A. G. Wyckhuys, Mauricio González-Chang, Evie Adriani, Annabelle B. Albaytar, Alice Albertini, Gonzalo Avila, Marie Joy B. Beltran, Ariel D. Boreros, Muhammad Z. Fanani, Duc T. Nguyen, Giang Nguyen, Ihsan Nurkomar and Sundar Tiwari Journal’s name if any: Frontiers - Front. Sustain. Food Syst., 11 September 2020 Ministry/Government Agency/Organisation: Frontiers Year of publication: 2020 Geographic focus: Asia Main issues/ topics addressed (for example: …) School of agroecology (if any): Web address to original document (if any): https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fsufs.2020.00140/full#h1 Summary: During the late twentieth century, the “Green Revolution” attained wide-ranging poverty alleviation, food security and improved nutrition across rural Asia. As these achievements were often reached at large environmental costs, “greener” trajectories urgently need to be traced for Asia's agri-food systems. In this sense, agro-ecological and biodiversity-based (ABB) farming systems can provide sufficient food, lift resource-use efficiencies and lower fossil-fuel dependencies while safeguarding the environment. Here, we systematically assess past progress and prospects for biodiversity-based pest management -or biological control (BC)- in five Asian countries.…   Read More

Title of document: Impact Story - AFOSP Authors/editor: AFOSP Journal’s name if any: Ministry/Government Agency/Organisation: AFOSP Year of publication: 2020 Geographic focus: ASEAN Main issues/ topics addressed (for example: …) School of agroecology (if any): Web address to original document (if any): http://www.asiapacificfarmersforum.net/afosp-impact-story/ Summary: Farmers who are coming from 10 member states of ASEAN ,These impact stories of our beneficiaries throughout the four years implementation of AFOSP and how their effort of improving their farming industry impacted the lives of many. This impact story is included: 1.      Chapter 1 | Why It Matters & About AFOSP. 2.      Chapter 2 | AFOSP Journey. 3.      Chapter 3 | Photo of ASEAN - EU. 4.      Chapter 4 | ASEAN Roadmap for Enhancing the Role of Agriculture Cooperative in the Global Value Chain 2018 - 2025. 5.      Chapter 5 | Our Farmers Our Story. 6.      Lesson Learned   Read More

Title of document: ASEAN Action Plan on Fall Armyworm Control Authors/editor: ASEAN Secretariat, FAO Journal’s name if any: Ministry/Government Agency/Organisation: ASEAN Secretariat, FAO Year of publication: 2020 Geographic focus: ASEAN Main issues/ topics addressed (for example: …) School of agroecology (if any): Web address to original document (if any): Summary: The Fall Armyworm (Spodoptera frugiperda) was first reported in Southeast Asia in late 2018 in Thailand and Myanmar. It has since rapidly spread, and its presence is now confirmed in almost all ASEAN countries. The pest, which feeds on more than 350 plant species, can cause major damage, particularly to maize crops. Now it is endemic in the region, management will need to be focused on control rather than eradication. The impact of the Fall Armyworm’s presence in the ASEAN region will be considerable. Estimates using 10% crop damage across ASEAN maize crops indicates an annual US$884 million cost. Both in lost farmer income and as buyers are forced to import maize. ASEAN farmers are in urgent need of effective, locally valid and regionally relevant management solutions. Appropriate, cost-effective and practical integrated pest management (IPM) methods also wait to be developed, validated, promoted and/or scaled up.   Read More

Title of document: ECHO Asia notes ISSUE 42/ 2020 Authors/editor: Patrick Trail, Daniela Riley & Eduardo Sabio Journal’s name if any: Ministry/Government Agency/Organisation: ECHO Asia Year of publication: 2020 Geographic focus: Asia Main issues/ topics addressed (for example: Making On-Farm Pig Feed: Farm-Generated Formulas vs. Commercial Feeds; Integrated Pest Management on the Island of Bali; Coffee Drying ‘Bunk-Beds’ for Vegetable Production…) School of agroecology (if any): Web address to original document (if any): Summary:   Read More

Title of document: Regional Workshop: Scaling-up Agroecology in ASEAN Higher Education to Meet SDGs and Ensure Climate Resilience, Maejo University, Chiang Mai, Thailand   26-27 June 2019 Authors/editor:                                                             Journal’s name if any: Ministry/Government Agency/Organisation: OHEC, CU, MJU, SEARCA, ALiSEA, UNESCO Year of publication: 2019 Geographic focus: Thailand Main issues/ topics addressed (for example: …) School of agroecology (if any): Web address to original document (if any): Summary: With support from the Office of the Higher Education Commission (OHEC) Thailand, Chulalongkorn University (CU) led a small multi-disciplinary policy studies and dialogue project on “ASEAN Way Forward for SDGs and COP21 through Social and Sustainability Sciences” contributing to the ASEAN Work Plan on Education (AWPE), 2016-2020 while Thailand was Chair of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) in 2019 under the theme: “Advancing Partnership for Sustainability.” Final report “Regional Workshop: Scaling-up Agroecology in ASEAN Higher Education to Meet SDGs and Ensure Climate Resilience, Maejo University, Chiang Mai, Thailand   26-27 June 2019”   Read More