Assessing impact of rural advisory services on smallholders 

In her presentation to the Policy Dialogue, Dr. Elske Van de Fliert, University of Queensland, Australia highlighted the critical issues of rural advisories for smallholder farmers by defining sustainable development as an increase in production while protecting the environment and ensuring social equity.

Dr. Van de Fliert also explained the sustainable livelihood framework that, according to the DFID integrates human, social, physical and financial capital. At the village level, this means to quantify the impact of these goals according to fair income, sufficient quality food, good health, equitable relations and healthy environment that need to be incorporated in development programmes for smallholders.

The process of technology transfer for enhancing livelihoods and promoting socioeconomic growth should be monitored and evaluated regularly to assess its impact, she pointed out. It is important to note that evaluation needs to be: (i) participatory, to understand the different levels mentioned above; (ii) holistic, to understand the dynamic context, networks and how different systems are interrelated; (iii) critical, to assess inequalities, challenges and contradictions in the process of social change; (iv) realistic, to understand how systems actually behave and are grounded in local realities; (v) learning-based, to provide opportunities to foster continuous learning, evaluative thinking and better communication and trust, as a basis for development of evaluation capacities and learning organizations; (v) emergent,  to reflect social change and continuous feedback loops, and capture unexpected outcomes and ripple effects; (vi) and complex, to understand the dynamic context and outcomes unknown in advance, which require analysis of social norms and mixed evaluation methods.

Fundamental to these processes is the aim to develop mutual trust, partnerships, two-way communication and mutual learning.

Reporter: Suraj Pandey, APCTT-ESCAP

Rising hope for sustainable rice in Cambodia

“Rice production in Cambodia has increased significantly since 2001 reaching 9.3 million tons on 2 million hectares of agricultural land and engaging 80 per cent of farmers in rice cultivation,” said Mr. Dao Cambodochine, Trade Facilitation Consultant, Asian Synergy Consulting Services Co. Ltd, Cambodia, in his presentation on the role of technology transfer in rice sector for sustainable development during the Policy Dialogue. 

Rice is a staple food in Cambodia accounting for 90 per cent of all agricultural production. The country is also the 5^th largest exporter of rice in the world. Since 2009, the trade and marketing of rice in Cambodia is continuously rising due to a huge demand for food across Asia and other regions. The country exports rice to more than 100 destinations from the East to the West.

Rice marketing is the major economic activity in Cambodia being traded as an exchange commodity for many goods and services in informal markets. It was not until 2008 that Cambodia exported its first measurable milled rice surplus. Since then, impressive developments have taken place at all levels of the rice supply chain, with a rapid increase in exports. Therefore, public and private partnership in Cambodia invested huge amounts in technology for rice milling industries to facilitate trade and commerce for export and supply management.

Mr. Dao also pointed out that new technologies of rice mills are highly automated and computer-controlled facilities require increased capacities in Cambodia. Improved quality management in rice production also helps to meet international standards. The inception of seed multiplication projects provided access to higher-quality seeds of the most valuable rice varieties, leading to improved yields of homogenous crop. As a result, Cambodian rice is considered ‘green’ and naturally grown with limited use of chemical fertilizers and pesticides. Subsequently, rice mills are obtaining various quality management and food safety certifications such as ISO, HACCP and GMP.

Furthermore, Mr. Dao also highlighted that rice industry in Cambodia still needs to be uplifted in terms of implementation of the country’s action plan and accountability of logistics such as rejuvenation of water ways for trade, which is under-utilized in the country, maximizing the use of land and improvement of existing waterbodies of Cambodia.

Reporter: Suraj Pandey, APCTT-ESCAP

Evidence-based policymaking – information and data needed for technology transfer 

The gains of technology transfer have not reached all farmers, while productivity growth is declining. The excessive use of pesticides and fertilizers has brought into question the long-term sustainability of Asia-Pacific agricultural production systems. There is also a lack of evidence of what works for smallholders and how the successful use of improved technology can be scaled up. There is, therefore, a need for improved documentation and data management to inform policymaking in support of technology transfer to promote sustainable agriculture, food security and poverty reduction. 

These were among the issues before the second panel discussion during the Policy Dialogue. The panel was moderated by Michael Williamson and included Mr. Kipp Sutton, Agricultural Team Leader, USAID Regional Development Mission – Asia, Thailand; Dr. Mak Soeun, Deputy Director General, General Directorate of Agriculture and In Charge, Food Security, Agricultural Extension and Agricultural Cooperatives, Cambodia; Dr. Ramesh Chand, Director, National Centre for Agricultural Economics and Policy Research, India; Dr. Rozhan Bin Abu Dardak, Director, Economic and Technology Management Research Centre, Malaysian Agricultural Research and Development Institute, Malaysia; and Dr. Virginia Cardenas, Deputy Director-Administration, Southeast Asian Regional Center for Graduate Study and Research in Agriculture, Philippines.

Policymaking information requirements for effective technology transfer 

The discussion began with Mr. Sutton stating: “Farmers need to believe in technology in order to adopt it.” Offering a donor’s perspective, the USAID official said his organization focused on the following questions in its work:

1. What is the exact problem we are trying to address from the farmers’ perspective?
2. What is already out there in terms of agricultural technologies and what has been accepted by farmers?
3. What are farmers’ preferences and socioeconomic circumstances that would provide a basis for technology adoption?
4. Do we have good evidence and data of what is successful and can be scaled up?

Responding, Dr. Dardak defined policy as the setting of a strategic direction for different development sectors. It is, therefore, very difficult for policymakers to obtain information because one policy cannot fit both – communities and governments’ economic direction. There is a need for data that can:

1. indicate the impact of technology transfer on the national economy

2. help farmers to sustainably develop

Policymakers need data that can lead all development sectors and can be used by farmers and government officials. While research generates the key scientific database for technology transfer, the government needs information directly from farmers for a better assessment of how agricultural productivity and produce quality can be improved. 

The evidence base is always growing and evolving because it takes into consideration the socioeconomic and environmental context of agricultural livelihoods. Therefore, it is important for policymakers to be supported and advised by research.

Information needed for enhanced agricultural technology transfer impact 

The many competing criteria for research data requirements include productivity, efficiency, national and regional equity (inclusiveness), self-sufficiency and surplus.  The supply and demand side, intellectual property rights and responsibilities of government and funding agencies, institutions for commercializing research outputs, communications support and advocacy, need to be looked at.

Reducing information gaps 

For Dr. Dardak, the most important challenge for researchers is the sharing of the information because they are reluctant to lose control of ownership of their research. Researchers must be convinced to share their knowledge by ensuring acknowledgement of their ownership.

Dr. Chand added that the biggest technology gap arises from forgetting that adopters need simple and not complex technologies. Understanding the real needs is key to reducing the gap. Evaluation at different stages of technology development and transfer is crucial to understand the adoption of the technology, Mr. Sutton stressed.

There seems to be a lot of information of value to farmers that is not being shared with them. Panelists wondered how information could be taken out of the different silos in which it was slotted and used to promote informed decision-making. It was pointed out that the biggest gap was between what was already out there and what was still needed.

Tools such as the Internet can facilitate information sharing. However, the challenge is to sift through the huge amount of online information. While websites such as Wikipedia are useful, this does not address the needs of those seeking highly specialized information. It was suggested that SATNET could play such a role.

Role of SATNET in improved sharing of knowledge and good practice 

Dr. Cardenas suggested a role for SATNET as the lead knowledge management institution, particularly on issues relevant to agriculture. It could help mobilize global initiatives on and connect with other platforms to share information as well as to create online mechanisms and simple tools for knowledge-sharing. Dr. Soeun added that the primary role of SATNET should be related to networking, followed by policy research. Dr. Chand suggested that SATNET could play a role in sorting out (organizing) information.

Providing information to smallholder farmers in future 

Regional and South-South cooperation can speed up innovation, it was observed. Developed countries do not have a monopoly on innovation, Mr. Williamson said, pointing out that the most innovative ideas were emerging from the least developed countries. This is why international cooperation is important to develop and share knowledge. More knowledge will have to be shared than before to make it easier for farmers to access the information they need. 

Reporter: Martina Spisiakova, Knowledge Management Consultant, SATNET Asia

Data and methodological issues in evaluation of knowledge networks for technology transfer 

Dr. Hannah Jaenicke, Consultant, Project Management and Evaluation, in her presentation to the Policy Dialogue reviewed data and methodological issues in evaluating the role of knowledge networks in technology transfer. Social capital and networks are increasingly recognized as having an important role in promoting sustainable development by speeding up the transfer of knowledge with the participation of the recipients, thereby increasing the sense of ownership of the knowledge. However, the effect of networks in promoting sustainable development is difficult to quantify as compiling data from development work is difficult. Dr. Jaenicke outlined key reasons for networks to be established, such as obtaining and sharing information and advice, and promoting collaboration, trust and friendship among practitioners. Networks can also help build trust across institutional boundaries, which is important for successful technology transfer. 

In a preview of the SATNET Asia project evaluation she was conducting, Dr. Jaenicke stated that while it had achieved many of the key indicators of success, the data set was too thin. The project has set an indicator that shows that 70 percent of survey respondents from within the SATNET Asia network indicate enhanced regional networking..  At least 10 best practices for technology transfer had been identified and at least 3 trade facilitation measures recommended. There was also indication of an uptake of the new knowledge. Narrative evidence on the importance of networking in gaining and sharing knowledge was important to complement the evaluation findings. Training and capacity-building of intermediaries conducted by the SATNET Asia project was a valuable element in transferring new knowledge, she noted.

Reporter: Maame Agyeben, TID, UNESCAP

Technology transfer in Myanmar fisheries

Fisheries are an important source of food and livelihood for the mainly rural population in Myanmar. Fishing usually provides seasonal employment to small-scale fishers and is regulated by the Government for ecosystem sustainability. In the afternoon of the first day of the CAPSA Policy Dialogue, participants learned about recent successful attempts to develop an institutional regulatory framework for fisheries in Myanmar’s Ayeyarwaddy Delta region.

Located between Bangladesh and Thailand on the Bay of Bengal, Mr. Bobby, Chief Executive Officer, Network Activity Group, Myanmar explained that his country is the largest mainland in South Asia. The country’s agriculture consists of crop production, hunting, fishing, and forestry, which are the pillars of the Myanmar economy responsible for most income and employment in the country. 

Because fishing is an important source of income for small-scale farmers, the government is regulating entire inland fishing rights in Myanmar to ensure sustainability of the ecosystem. The overall profile of the fishery sector in Myanmar is fragile since community-based fisheries have been encroached by tender holders and overfishing, which has led to lower yields and market price. In response, the Government of Myanmar introduced centralized fishing right allocation in 2011 to restore the communal farming. 

In 2011, the Government of Myanmar and Oxfam International jointly initiated a fishery development programme in the Ayeyarwaddy delta. The programme organized civil society and fishing communities in clusters of 100 villages to increase fish production by providing support and improving market access and local governance. This has led to the establishment of a Fisheries Development Association in Ayeyarwaddy, the enactment of a fresh water fishery law and the establishment of communal fishery grounds.

The initiative has resulted in improved coherence and consistency of the state and regional fresh water fishery laws that are now in line with national and international instruments for protection of small-scale fish farmer registration, sea safety and disaster risk reduction.

Reporter: Suraj Pandey, APCTT-ESCAP

Technology transfer to facilitate agricultural trade in Nepal

Mr. Pushpa Raj Rajkarnikar, Chairman, Institute for Policy Research and Development of Nepal, made a presentation to the Third SATNET Policy Dialogue on the problems and potential of agricultural trade in Nepal. The country can export a variety of agricultural and processed food products such as large cardamom, ginger, honey, lentils, tea, medicinal herbs, essential oils and instant noodles, but faces a number of trade constraints. These include challenges to production such as a lack of skills, technology and labour as well as inadequate market access and knowledge. Difficulty in meeting sanitary and phytosanitary (SPS) requirements, problems in obtaining quality certification because of the lack of a recognized accreditation agency, lengthy trade procedures, high transport costs, irregular electricity supply and inadequate use of information technology are also holding back the country from realizing its agricultural export potential. Being a landlocked country is also a hurdle and the Government is working with the Government of India, the main agricultural trade partner of Nepal, to facilitate trade harmonization. 

The Government is using technology transfer for agricultural trade facilitation by developing an integrated strategy for agricultural trade and strengthening trade-related capacities of both the public and private sector. Technology transfer for trade facilitation is focusing on improvement in the transport and communication systems and quality assurance. 

Reporter: Aisyah Wara Khaleda, Bogor Agricultural University (aisyahwarak@gmail.com)

Local farmer organizations strengthen agricultural marketing in Nepal 

In his presentation to the Policy Dialogue, Mr. Komal Pradhan, National Program Director, International Development Enterprises (iDE), Nepal, explained how local farmer organizations are strengthen marketing of agricultural produce by small and marginal farmers in in Nepal. Besides limited marketing opportunities, major constraints to commercial sale of their produce, include the subsistence-oriented nature of local agriculture, farmers’ lack of knowledge, training and skills, difficulty in accessing agricultural inputs from distant district capitals and major towns, and the limited price negotiating ability of farmers.

Marketing and Planning Committees (MPCs) supported by iDE Nepal, work with farmers’ organizations to help farmers in marketing their vegetables and plan production to meet market demand. The MPCs also link farmer groups and local service providers with consumers at the local, district and regional level.

This has assured market access for farmers and fair prices for their produce, enabling them to sell even very small quantities and save time and money on transport. As a result, farmers have been motivated to expand their cropped area. Traders have also benefited as they can buy a variety of crops in large volumes with regularity. The MPCs have also enhanced the social standing of farmers by providing opportunities for participation in programmes they have developed themselves, and guaranteeing sales of produce at a better price.

 Reporter: Aisyah Wara Khaleda, Bogor Agricultural University (aisyahwarak@gmail.com)

Technology transfer to improve agricultural productivity and sustainability in Indonesia

In a presentation to the Third SATNET Policy Dialogue, Dr. Made Jana Mejaya, Director of Indonesian Center for Food Crops Research and Development, Ministry of Agriculture, Indonesia explained how technology transfer is being used to sustainably increase food crop production, in particular rice, to feed the country’s large population at a time when conversion of agricultural land to non-farm use has reduced the number of farmers in Indonesia. 

To attain self-sufficiency in the staple rice which still needs to be imported, the Government has involved the private sector and civil society organizations in agricultural research and extension and dietary change advocacy. The strategies to reach this target include: decreasing yield losses by 1.5 per cent per year, reducing per capita rice consumption by 1.5 per cent per year, establishing about 130 000 ha of new rice farms, increasing rice productivity from 5.2 to 5.5 tons/ha and increasing the planting index from 1.5 to 1.7.

The quality of agricultural produce is also being increased through initiatives such as the Sustainable Household Food Security Program involving women and implemented through the pilot project “Food Smart Village”. This is improving the local ecology by optimizing use of water resources and promoting food diversification, integrated crop-livestock systems, conservation agriculture, zero-waste and climate change adaptation. 

Reporter: Aisyah Wara Khaleda, Bogor Agricultural University (aisyahwarak@gmail.com)

Policy Dialogue discusses impact of Green Revolution on sustainable development

The Green revolution of the 1970s and 1980s increased agricultural productivity with the introduction of high yielding varieties, improved irrigation, intensified use of agrochemicals and supportive government policies. While helping avoid large-scale hunger in the Asia-Pacific region, it resulted in land and biodiversity degradation with agricultural productivity growth declining. The use of chemicals also adversely affected the health of farmers and consumers while small and marginal farmers were unable to take advantage of the gains of the Green Revolution.

The impact of Green Revolution technologies in promoting sustainable development was the topic of the panel discussion “Has the Green Revolution been a boon or a bane for sustainable development?” held on the first day of the 10-11 February Third SATNET Policy Dialogue “Role of Technology Transfer in Agriculture for Sustainable Development Outcomes”. The five panelists included Dr. Iftikar Ahmad, Chairman, Pakistan Agricultural Research Council, Mr. Muhammad Zeshan Saqib, Director Quality Assurance and Traceability System, Star Farm Pakistan (Pvt.) Limited,  Ms. Ranny Mutiara Chaidirsyah, Head of Farming Institution Empowerment Division, Agency for Agricultural Extension and Human Resources Development (AAEHRD), Ministry of Agriculture, Indonesia, Dr. Kong Thong, Dean, Faculty of Agro-Industry, Royal University of Agriculture, Cambodia and Mr. Shimpei Murakami, Chairperson, Asian Farmers Association (Japan/Philippines). The panel was moderated by Dr. Raghunath Godake, Executive Secretary, Asia-Pacific Association of Agricultural Research Institutions (APAARI).

Benefits of Green Revolution technology

Panelists agreed that agricultural technology transfer since the Green Revolution had made a significant contribution to agricultural development, making it possible to address the challenges of food insecurity today. However, the problem has been in the dissemination of the knowledge to farmers.

Mr. Saqib pointed out that agricultural technology has negative impact when farmers lack knowledge of proper use of the technology as a result of the lack of protocols for using this knowledge. Dr. Thong agreed and added that this results in farmers facing acceptance issues during technology transfer.

Another issue is that the technology model that has been followed since the Green Revolution comes from development economists. Dr. Ahmad offered an alternative perspective on how Green Revolution technology transfer mechanisms were actually designed from the bottom up and not based on Western models.

Mr. Murakami argued that farmers understand nature and have knowledge and experience to make food systems sustainable. However, they listen to extension workers and depend on external technologies, such as fertilizer and seeds, which diminishes their confidence in their ability to control their natural resources. The problem, therefore, lies in a lack of real scientific knowledge, he added. As a consequence, technology creates ecological degradation and is not sustainable.

Ms. Chaidirsyah pointed out that Indonesia realized that Green Revolution technologies alone would not be sufficient to make the country self-sufficient in rice and shifted from technology transfer for rice intensification, to improving research-extension linkages and bringing research institutions together with extension workers. It is crucial to educate and empower farmers to verify suitable agricultural technologies, while encouraging local extension and research institutions to adapt to local conditions, improve their approach and build farmers’ confidence in technology, she added. 

More technologies or improved processes?

In discussing whether better technologies or better technology transfer processes were more important, the panelists agreed that improved processes, models and policies can be very effective. Mr. Ahmad emphasized that if government policies are not supportive of smallholders, farmers will be helpless. Policy, therefore, has to be pro-poor for technology transfer to be effective.

Lessons learned

The panelists also reflected on issues that governments, civil society and the private sector should keep in mind to ensure that technology transfer promotes sustainable development. Firstly, multinationals should accept that developing countries where they invest have their own traditional knowledge and understanding of sustainable development. As such, private stakeholders should provide stewardship. On the other hand, civil society has to help guide government policy in the right direction.

The panelists agreed that the Post-2015 development agenda offers an opportunity for better technology transfer by bringing the Asia-Pacific region together to share national strengths and knowledge on sustainable agricultural development. 

Reporter: Martina Spisiakova, Knowledge Management Consultant, CAPSA

Local service providers promote climate-resilient agricultural technologies in Bangladesh

In a presentation on technology transfer for agricultural adaptation to climate change in Bangladesh, Mr. Md. Shamim Hossain, Head of Food Security and Livelihoods Unit, Concern Universal told the Policy Dialogue about his organization’s innovative use of community-based service providers as agents of agricultural technology transfer to farmers.

The service providers association, which includes local service providers based in villages, is linking the Department of Agriculture, private sector, producer groups, microfinance and other services with farmers. Local service providers acquire agricultural knowledge and skills developed by the public and private sector and pass it on to rural producers. Local service providers are also used by the private sector as agents for transfering agricultural inputs and services to farmers. 

An example of climate-resilient agricultural technology is ‘Floating vegetable bed’ which makes it possible to cultivate vegetables during the recurring floods in Bangladesh. The technology has multiple benefits for rural households in the country, including nutritional gains from vegetable consumption during flooding, income from the sale of vegetables, production of organic fertilizer and control of aquatic weeds in water bodies.

Concern Universal has arranged a collection point where farmers bring their produce for sale and meet with agricultural business representatives for market negotiations. The collection point has significantly reduced transaction costs for private organizations and transport costs for producers.

                                                                       

Reporter: Ratri Virianita - Bogor Agricultural University (ratri_virianita@yahoo.com)

Lao PDR addresses challenges to agricultural trade facilitation

In a presentation to the Policy Dialogue session “Good practices in agricultural trade facilitation”, Mr. Chanhphasouk Vidavong, Deputy Director of Technical Division, Economic Research Institute for Trade, Ministry of Industry and Commerce, Lao People’s Democratic Republic (PDR), outlined good practices and challenges to trade facilitation in agricultural products in his country.

Seventy per cent of the country’s population depends on agriculture for a livelihood, the majority being smallholders. There is little value-addition for agricultural products and many agribusinesses lack production expertise and innovation capacity. There is limited understanding of the implications of technical barriers to international agricultural trade, including sanitary and phytosanitary measures. Being landlocked and with limited trade facilitation infrastructure, is also a major challenge.

A number of ministries, such as those dealing with agriculture, fisheries, industry and commerce are formulating policies to accelerate technology transfer for trade facilitation. A national trade facilitation body is being set up to improve coordination among government agencies responsible for border management issues. Lao PDR is also implementing a national single window for export and import and has set up the Lao Trade Information Portal to enhance trade transparency and predictability. It is necessary to develop private sector capacity to comply with trade rules and regulations.

The Lao PDR experience with agricultural trade facilitation has shown the need to increase marketing knowledge and upgrade information and communications technology (ICT) capacities.

 Reporter: Maame Agyeben, TID, ESCAP

Participatory approach to empowering farmers’ organizations

In a presentation to the Policy Dialogue, Ms. Mag T. Catindig, Program Officer, Asian Partnership for the Development of Human Resources in Rural Asia (AsiaDHRRA) Philippines, explained the DHRRA approach to empowering farmers’ organizations that is implemented in partnership with 11 DHRRA members and other civil society organizations in 11 Asian countries.

DHRRA follows the “mushawarah”, meaning “I” and “We” as a community, approach to farmer empowerment. This requires working at the grassroots level to better understand local needs and find appropriate solutions to farmers’ problems. 

Ms. Catindig also informed the Dialogue about good practices in empowering farmers based on the group development model, such as farmers-to-farmers (F2F), farmers’ organization-to-farmers’ organization (FO-FO) and participatory technology development. The F2F and FO-FO offer farmers an effective channel for expressing their needs. Such a participatory approach helps increase the outreach of agricultural extension.

Reporter:  Ratri Virianita – Bogor Agricultural University (ratri_virianita@yahoo.com)

Participatory technology transfer in Cambodia improves rice productivity and incomes

In her presentation during the session “Good practices in agricultural technology transfer through participatory and community-based approaches”, Ms. Chantheang Tong, Senior Program Officer, Cambodian Centre for Study and Development of Agriculture (CEDAC), shared the CEDAC experience in promoting the system of rice intensification (SRI) in Cambodia. Approximately 70 per cent of the country’s population depends mainly on agriculture for a livelihood and 60 per cent are rice farmers. A major constraint to improving rice productivity is that 80 per cent of rice farms are rain-fed. Moreover, the average rice farming household has 1.2 ha of land, although 48 per cent of farm households own less than 1 ha. The average rice yield of 3.3 tons per hectare is less than the potential.

The SRI programme began in Cambodia in 2000 with 28 farmers and over 100,000 farmers have adopted SRI with CEDAC support since then. SRI has become a national programme, supported by the Ministry of Agriculture. Farms using SRI techniques have improved yield by 60 per cent, while reducing expenses on fertilizer and seeds.

Following successful dissemination of the SRI technology, CEDAC has been supporting farmers in marketing organic rice to earn higher incomes. About 2,000 organic rice producers have adopted SRI and more than 200 farmers have obtained organic and fair trade certification for international export.

CEDAC worked with innovative farmers in setting up a demonstration SRI farm and organized farmer visits there to learn about SRI. Intensive training in SRI techniques is being provided to farmers. The programme is flexible and allows farmers to choose the measures that they can implement. Follow-up visits and additional training is also provided. Successful farmers are selected to train other farmers.

The technology transfer process involves changing the mindset of farmers by demonstrating the benefits of simple and incremental changes in farming techniques such as planting, irrigating and weeding. Farmer-to-farmer training has been an effective method for technology transfer. However, technology alone is not enough and market linkages should be developed to bring more benefits to farmers.

Ms. Tong described the CEDAC Strategic Plan, which includes making farmers self-reliant and market-oriented. CEDAC is also strengthening networking between local leaders and rural entrepreneurs to promote learning and empower rural communities.

Reporter: Maame Ayegben, TID, UNESCAP

Innovative flood-proof and farm-friendly rural sanitation system in India 

In a presentation during the Policy Dialogue session “Good practices in agricultural technology transfer for climate resilient food production technologies”, Mr. Eklavya Prasad of India’s civil society initiative, Megh Pyne Abhiyan (MPA) or Cloud Water Campaign, explained the innovative sanitation technology it is promoting in five flood-prone northern districts of the country’s Bihar State. The initiative uses the flood-resilient and eco-friendly toilet Phaydemand Shauchalay (PS) which produces humuanure from human excreta to improve agricultural productivity and food security of small and marginal farmers. 

Over 80 per cent of the people in Bihar depend on agriculture for a livelihood, the overwhelming majority of them being small and marginal farmers whose fields are affected by floods and waterlogging every year. The PS, which translates into “beneficial toilet”, has not only improved the environment around local habitations but also helped reduce the use of chemical fertilizer, biological and chemical contamination of groundwater, while improving soil health.

A total of 33 PS units have been installed in the State. A researcher from the University of Hohenheim, Germany is documenting the technology as an innovative agricultural practice under the SATNET Asia programme.

Reporter: Fetty Prihastini, Public Information Assistant, CAPSA

Cambodian farmers‘ federation shares experience in  technology transfer

In a presentation to the Policy Dialogue, Mr. Yap Thoeurn of the Cambodian Farmers Association Federation of Agricultural Producers (CFAP Cambodia) shared his organization’s experience with technology transfer for promoting sustainable agriculture development. CFAP Cambodia has 19 farmer cooperatives and associations from 5 of Cambodia’s 24 provinces as members. 

Lack of access to information, extension services, irrigation, capital and online connectivity are challenges facing CFAP member farmers. To address this, the organization conducted training workshops on soil improvement, water and pest management as well as farmer field schools (FFS), and organized farmer contests. The farmers were also taken on field visits, encouraged to share knowledge and provided face-to-face extension advice. Mr. Thoeurn also shared the lessons learned from the CFAP initiatives and listed targets to be achieved by the organization by 2017.

Reporter: Simone Kathrin Kriesemer, Consultant, SATNET Asia

CAPSA Director outlines technology transfer issues in strengthening sustainable agricultural systems

The opening presentation by Dr. Katinka Weinberger, Director of CAPSA set the context for the substantive discussion to take place during the 10-11 February SATNET Policy Dialogue on the Role of Technology Transfer in Agriculture for Sustainable Development Outcomes. It focused on the challenges and opportunities for sustainable agriculture as well as the role of science, technology and innovation in promoting sustainable agricultural production.

Dr. Weinberger stressed the urgent need to transform global agricultural systems to meet the food needs of a growing world population and help address persistently high levels of poverty, particularly in rural areas as well as inequality. Furthermore, climate change and resource degradation call for making agricultural systems sustainable.

The CAPSA Director said that the ongoing global deliberations on the post-2015 development agenda offered an opportunity for seeking a transformative approach to sustainable development, integrating the economic, environmental and social dimensions. 

  

Dr. Weinberger noted that technology alone is not sufficient to make agriculture sustainable. New agricultural technologies are also not inherently more sustainable, nor is there a ‘one-size-fits-all’ model. Technologies must be adaptable to local circumstances and have flexible criteria for determining sustainability thresholds. As this is an emerging field, there are still data and metric issues that need to be addressed to assess the impact of agricultural technology transfer. Working through the SATNET Asia project, CAPSA has developed a composite sustainability indicator of agricultural technologies to address these gaps.

Given the wide range of stakeholders, research and development must address the effectiveness of different innovation strategies for technology transfer and ways to ensure technology adoption by the greatest possible number of farmers. Asia-Pacific stakeholders need to promote technology transfer and remove bottlenecks to the sharing of information. Effective coordination among stakeholders and better monitoring and documentation of the impact of technology transfer are also needed.

The Policy Dialogue was expected to showcase agricultural technology innovation and transfer by various stakeholders in the Asia-Pacific region and assess its impact and shortcomings, to better address food insecurity, poverty and environmental degradation, Dr. Weinberger noted. Another aim of the Policy Dialogue was to review national and regional policy options to support agricultural technology transfer for sustainable development and prepare a regional framework for this purpose. 

Q&A

During the ensuing Question and Answer session, it was pointed out that researchers can have very different perspectives on technology transfer and technologies may not be fully transferred to farmers. Limited communication between researchers and extension workers was acknowledged as an issue of frequent concern. However, it was observed, there are also many opportunities to enhance stakeholder engagement in the innovation process. Research must be cognizant of the needs of farmers who should be regarded not merely as final beneficiaries of technologies but also as active clients, providing research guidance and feedback.

In response to a question on the impact of policies on technology transfer and innovation, it was noted that policies affect innovation systems by influencing the quality of research and extension as well as investment in research and development. Policies to create an enabling environment are also required as are investments in infrastructure and incentives for business innovations. 

Reporter: Maame Agyeben, Trade and Investment Division (TID), UNESCAP