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: NAFRI Research Brief: Leveraging Geo-Economic Proximity and Agricultural Commercialisation Authors/editor: Mr. Khamphou Phouyyavong, (PhD), Deputy Director of ERDRC, NAFRI; Ms. Isabelle Vagneron (PhD), Policy Research Specialist; Ms. Sengphachanh Sonethavixay, Technical Advisor; Mr. Anthony M. Zola, Development Economist Journal’s name if any: Ministry/Government Agency/Organization: NAFRI - MAF Year of publication: 2020 Geographic focus: Lao PDR Main issues/ topics addressed (for example: …) School of agroecology (if any): Web address to original document (if any): Summary: The purpose of this research brief is to synthesize the findings of ten policy research studies conducted by NAFRI’s Policy Think Tank (PTT) research team between 2016 and 2020, and complementary research studies. The research was related to commercialisation of agricultural products in Lao PDR…   Read More

Title of document: Building an Evidence Base for Policy Formulation in the Agriculture and Rural Development Sector in Lao PDR Authors/editor: NAFRI Journal’s name if any: Ministry/Government Agency/Organization: NAFRI - MAF Year of publication: 2020 Geographic focus: Lao PDR Main issues/ topics addressed (for example: Sustainable Commercial Agricultural Production: A Case Study of Commercialized Banana Production; Development of Benzoin Upstream Value Chains for Uplands of The Lao PDR; Cassava Value Chains in Champasak and Salavan Provinces…) School of agroecology (if any): Web address to original document (if any): Summary: In June 2012, the Government of the Lao PDR, with the support of development partners, established a Policy Think Tank as part of the Sector Working Group on Agriculture and Rural Development. The Policy Think Tank is led by NAFRI, the National Agriculture and Forestry Research Institute, which is under the Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry. The aim of the Policy Think Tank is to engage government ministries and private sector stakeholders in dialogue and consensus building to address critical national policy issues that impact actions at the provincial and district levels to support the improvement of livelihoods among the rural poor…   Read More

Title of document: Lao People’s Democratic Republic: Sustainable Commercialization in the Coffee Value Chain Authors/editor: UNCTAD Journal’s name if any: Ministry/Government Agency/Organization: UNCTAD Year of publication: 2020 Geographic focus: Lao PDR Main issues/ topics addressed (for example: Organic Agriculture in Lao; Coffee Value Chain Actors …) School of agroecology (if any): Web address to original document (if any): Summary: Sustainable commercialisation of agriculture for the local market and for exports is one of the key pillars of the sustainable development policy of Lao People’s Democratic Republic. Relevant policies and guidelines have been developed to enhance the production capacities of value chain actors and facilitate the access of local agricultural products, including coffee, to international markets…   Read More

Title of document: The management of an improved pasture and the selection of the animal shelter (Lao language) Authors/editor: Agrisud International Journal’s name if any: Ministry/Government Agency/Organization: Agrisud International, SNV, SDC Year of publication: 2020 Geographic focus: Lao PDR Main issues/ topics addressed (for example: …) School of agroecology (if any): Web address to original document (if any): Summary: The first series of Master-Farmers booklets published on ALiSEA is to support the establishment and management of improved pastures for big livestock.   Read More

Title of document: Harvesting the fodder seeds (Lao language) Authors/editor: Agrisud International Journal’s name if any: Ministry/Government Agency/Organization: Agrisud International, SNV, SDC Year of publication: 2020 Geographic focus: Lao PDR Main issues/ topics addressed (for example: …) School of agroecology (if any): Web address to original document (if any): Summary: The first series of Master-Farmers booklets published on ALiSEA is to support the establishment and management of improved pastures for big livestock.   Read More

Title of document: Planting fodder crops (Lao language) Authors/editor: Agrisud International Journal’s name if any: Ministry/Government Agency/Organization: Agrisud International, SNV, SDC Year of publication: 2020 Geographic focus: Lao PDR Main issues/ topics addressed (for example: …) School of agroecology (if any): Web address to original document (if any): Summary: The first series of Master-Farmers booklets published on ALiSEA is to support the establishment and management of improved pastures for big livestock.   Read More

Title of document: The Lao Coffee Notebook Authors/editor: RURAS and Comma Coffee Journal’s name if any: Ministry/Government Agency/Organization: RURAS and Comma Coffee Year of publication: 2020 Geographic focus: Lao Main issues/ topics addressed (for example: Coffee Production, processing roasting and brewing, including a map, statistics…) School of agroecology (if any): Web address to original document (if any): https://laocoffee.org/2020/10/03/lao-coffee-notebook/ Summary: The Lao Coffee Notebook is now available! Produced by LURAS in cooperation with Comma Coffee, this unique notebook is packed with information about coffee production, processing roasting and brewing, including a map, statistics and a Lao-English wordlist, all of which has been beautifully illustrated by Tina at Helvetas.   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