Working together for successful technology transfer: CAPSA Policy Dialogue opens

Welcoming participants to the CAPSA Policy Dialogue ‘Role of Technology Transfer in Agriculture for Sustainable Development Outcomes’ that opened today in Bogor, Indonesia, CAPSA Head Dr. Katinka Weinberger noted that the landmark 2012 United Conference on Sustainable Development (Rio+20) recognized in its outcome document, ‘The Future We want’, the role of “appropriate and affordable technologies” in revitalizing agricultural and rural development. The 10-11 February Policy Dialogue is the third in the series organized by the European Union-funded ‘Network for Knowledge Transfer on Sustainable Agricultural Technologies and Improved Market Linkages in South and South-East Asia’ (SATNET Asia) project.

Lack of access to modern agricultural technologies is a major constraint to increasing smallholder farm productivity in the Asia-Pacific region. This places particular importance on technology transfer using participatory and community-based approaches, knowledge-sharing networks and capacity-building of national stakeholders.

Asia and the Pacific can be a path-breaker in meeting the commitment to promote technology transfer in agriculture for sustainable development, Dr. Weinberger stated. SATNET Asia looks forward to the Dialogue providing inputs to a regional framework document to be developed at this meeting, the CAPSA Head added.

Reporter: Fetty Prihastini, Public Information Assistant, CAPSA