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: Resolving the twin human and environmental health hazards of a plant-based diet Authors/editor: Kris A.G.Wyckhuys, Alexandre Aebi, Maarten F.I.J, .Bijleveld van Lexmond, Carlos R.Bojaca, Jean-Marc Bonmatin, Lorenzo Furlan, Jairo A.Guerrero, Trinh V.Mai, Hoi V.Pham, Francisco Sanchez-Bayo, Yoshinori Ikenaka Journal’s name if any: Environment International, Volume 144, November 2020, 106081 Ministry/Government Agency/Organisation: Year of publication: 2020 Geographic focus: Global level Main issues/ topics addressed (for example: Fruits and vegetables constitute core constituents of ‘planetary health’ diets…) School of agroecology (if any): Web address to original document (if any): https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0160412020320365 Summary: Food can be health-giving. A global transition towards plant-based diets may equally help curb carbon emissions, slow land-system change and conserve finite resources. Yet, projected benefits of such ‘planetary health’ diets imperfectly capture the environmental or societal health outcomes tied to food production. Here, we examine pesticide-related hazards of fruit and vegetable consumption, and list proven management alternatives per commodity, geography and chemical compound. Across countries, pesticide use in these alleged healthful foods is extensive with up to 97% food items containing residues and up to 42% posing dietary risks to consumers…   Read More

Title of document: LIVING LANDSCAPES Embracing Agro-Biodiversity in Northern Laos Authors/editor: Andrea Rodericks Journal’s name if any: Ministry/Government Agency/Organisation: TABI 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): https://www.phakhaolao.la/publications/living-landscapes-embracing-agro-biodiversity-northern-laos?fbclid=IwAR1PdBY2QRGw9A9Yqunt03SZTJw7EqO1gJnHpI7250CwFQD9CNP9O9qgh_c Summary: The Lao uplands have long been recognized for their rich agro-biodiversity. Home to globally important species of animals, plants, and micro-organisms, this agro-biodiversity is the legacy of the upland farmers’ agricultural knowledge and practices passed down over generations. Towards the end of the 20th century and the start of this one, the agrarian transition and the integration of Laos into the regional and global economy brought economic opportunity to upland communities. It also brought challenges and contradictions for traditionally subsistence farmers and threats to the biodiversity of the region.   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: Rapid Assessment of Food Security and Agriculture in Lao PDR Authors/editor: WFP, FAO, MAF Journal’s name if any: Ministry/Government Agency/Organisation: WFP, FAO, MAF Year of publication: 2020 Geographic focus: Lao PDR Main issues/ topics addressed (for example: markets, trade, investment, food security, nutrition…) School of agroecology (if any): Web address to original document (if any): Summary: While there have been just 19 confirmed cases of the Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID19) to date in Lao PDR, the country – as with other countries around the world – has been affected by secondary social and economic impacts as a result of measures instituted to stop the spread of the virus. This survey seeks to measure the impact of the crisis on food security and agriculture in order to identify bottlenecks and affected populations/provinces, and ultimately guide any required response…   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: Pesticides uses and risk perceptions Authors/editor: Eve Bureau-Point Journal’s name if any: Ministry/Government Agency/Organisation: CNRS, CNE Year of publication: 2019 Geographic focus: Cambodia Main issues/ topics addressed (for example: risk perception, the strategies of control…) School of agroecology (if any): Web address to original document (if any): Summary: The presentation for the workshop “Pesticides, Agriculture and Food: Multiple and Growing concerns in Cambodia”, 28th of November 2019   Read More

Title of document: EFICAS Know-How Series “Community-based Agricultural Development Planning (CADP)” Authors/editor: Jean-Christophe Castella, Pascal Lienhard, Hoa Tran Quoc, Chanthasone Khamxaykhay, Sisavath Phimmasone, Soulikone Chaivanhna, Chanthavone Phonekhampeng Journal’s name if any: Ministry/Government Agency/Organisation: EFICAS Year of publication: 2020 Geographic focus: Lao PDR Main issues/ topics addressed (for example AGROECOLOGICAL INNOVATION FARMERS OWN EXPERIMENTS ENGAGE …) School of agroecology (if any): Web address to original document (if any): Summary: An emphasis was given over the past decade to participatory land-use planning (PLUP), with strong policy support, development of methods and tools. Land-use planning has gradually improved with increased farming communities' participation and ownership of the planning process, and improved techniques for data collection and mapping. Initial participatory diagnostic usually includes an inventory and prioritization of village problems, a description of village history and demography, the identification of farming practices, of constraints to local development, as well as technical and organizational levers to improve systems performance. Unfortunately, the PLUP process usually ends with a PLUP report and map set at the entrance of the village, whereas it should be the starting point towards the effective implementation of the plan. Land use planning is not only about supporting the initial diagnosis but also about supporting the implementation of a collectively-agreed territorial plan, which still remains a challenge. Over the past 5 years, the Eco-Friendly Intensification and Climate-resilient Agricultural Systems (EFICAS) project have been working on how to translate these PLUP into action plans and notably into Community-based Agricultural Development Plans (CADPs). A CADP is an action plan: 1) that engages the whole village over several years, 2) that is negotiated and implemented by the village community and district extension agents together, 3) that (hopefully) receives the support of multiple partners/projects for implementation, and 4) that provide clear indicators to monitoring implementation and impacts. This is an adaptive learning process in which the planning, implementation, and monitoring activities are highly inter-related. This manual aims to provide field practitioners with basic information and tips on how to plan, implement, and monitor a CADP.   Read More