The Asia-Pacific Association of Agricultural Research Institutions (APAARI) is delighted to welcome Dr. Bosibori Bett, Director of Multilateral and Strategic Partnerships at the Australian Centre for International Agricultural Research (ACIAR), as an Ex-Officio member of the APAARI Executive Committee.

Dr. Bett succeeds Professor Lindsay Falvey, who graciously represented ACIAR during his tenure as APAARI’s Chair of the Executive Committee. On behalf of APAARI, we extend our sincere appreciation to Professor Falvey for his leadership and invaluable contributions.

Dr. Bett brings extensive experience in agricultural research, partnerships, and capacity development across the Indo-Pacific. At ACIAR, she leads Australia’s investments in multilateral research organizations, enhancing global and regional collaborations through strategic partnerships. She has previously served with the Australian Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry (DAFF), the Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organization (CSIRO), and the Kenya Agricultural and Livestock Research Organization (KALRO). She holds a PhD in Biotechnology (Agriculture) from the Queensland University of Technology, Australia.

In welcoming Dr. Bett, APAARI’s Executive Director, Dr. Ravi Khetarpal, expressed confidence that her expertise and dedication will further strengthen APAARI’s mission of advancing agri-food research and innovation systems in the Asia-Pacific region.

We also gratefully acknowledge the continued commitment of ACIAR, under the leadership of Prof. Wendy Umberger, CEO, in advancing APAARI’s long-standing partnership. APAARI looks forward to working closely with Dr. Bett and ACIAR to drive sustainable agricultural research and innovation across the region.

Theme: “Accelerating Application of Agricultural Technologies in the Asia-Monsoon Region: Taking Stock and the Way Forward for Enhancing Production Potentials and Sustainable Food Systems”

It has been four years since the UN Secretary-General convened the UN Food Systems Summit (UNFSS) in September 2021, placing food at the heart of global efforts to end poverty, eliminate hunger, reduce inequalities, combat climate change, and protect biodiversity.

Prior to that milestone event, in May 2021, Japan formulated the Strategy for Sustainable Food Systems “MIDORI”, which aimed to enhance agricultural productivity potential and sustainability through innovation.

Since then, the world has witnessed remarkable changes and increasing uncertainties in the global food system landscape. As the world struggled to recover from the COVID-19 pandemic, a series of geopolitical events raised concerns over food security, with the prices of fuel, fertilizer, and food reaching record highs in 2022—particularly in the aftermath of the war in Ukraine.

At the same time, rising global temperatures continue to impact food production. In January 2025, it was confirmed that 2024 was the hottest calendar year on record, with the average temperature exceeding the pre-industrial level by 1.5°C for the first time—the threshold set by the Paris Agreement.

Despite these challenges, momentum is building behind food systems transformation at the global, regional, and national levels. For example:

• At COP28, the Emirates Declaration on Sustainable Agriculture, Resilient Food Systems, and Climate Action was adopted in December 2023, calling for sustainable development of the agri-food sector and stronger collaborative measures to tackle climate change.
• In the Asia–Monsoon region, particularly Southeast Asia, the ASEAN Regional Guidelines for Sustainable Agriculture were adopted in October 2022, followed by the Japan–ASEAN MIDORI Cooperation Plan in October 2023.
• Ahead of COP30, in June 2025, the Japanese Government unveiled the “MIDORI Infinity” initiative (Initiative for Net-zero compatible with Food Security through International expansion of Japan’s Innovative Technology). This aims to scale up Japan’s GHG emission reduction technologies and attract decarbonization investment in the agriculture and food sectors across the Global South.

Amid these developments, the Japan International Research Center for Agricultural Sciences (JIRCAS) has been implementing the Green Asia Project in collaboration with research institutes in Japan and across the Asia–Monsoon region. The project, scheduled to conclude in March 2026, has contributed to advancing research and innovation toward sustainable food systems.

Against this backdrop, the upcoming JIRCAS International Symposium 2025 will take stock of various initiatives driving food system transformation from a global perspective, with a particular focus on the Green Asia Project. The symposium will showcase key achievements and draw lessons applicable to other contexts, offering valuable insights for the future of sustainable agriculture in the region.

Event Details

Date: 27 October 2025 (Mon)

• Time: 13:30 – 17:30 (JST)
• Place: Hybrid (Hitotsubashi Hall & Online)
• Program
• Registration Deadline: 27 October 2025 (Mon), 12:00 (JST)
• Register here

Understanding APAARI’s Role in Scaling

“Many of our colleagues in national systems are already engaged in scaling activities — but they often don’t recognize it as ‘scaling.’”
— Dr. Sartas, Chief Scaling and Impact Officer, APAARI

APAARI plays a critical role in supporting agricultural transformation at the grassroots level by working closely with national agricultural systems, ministries, and partners who are driving implementation on the ground.

As Dr. Sartas explains, one of the early insights was that national actors are already engaged in various forms of scaling — but often under different labels such as dissemination, engagement, or extension. These are all vital components of scaling. However, without recognizing and framing them as scaling, institutions miss opportunities to attract investment, strengthen systems, and showcase their impact.

Strengthening Scaling Management Capabilities

APAARI focuses on working with existing national institutions rather than creating parallel structures. Many national organizations are already mandated to support scaling; the key is to strengthen their capacity to do so strategically.

Through targeted consultations and surveys, APAARI identified the first key demand from national systems: Strengthening scaling management capabilities.

Many countries are developing multiple innovations, but the real challenge lies in identifying which innovations work best for their specific contexts. Scaling management helps navigate this complexity.

APAARI supports national partners to:

• Analyze their innovation portfolios through a scaling lens
• Recognize existing scaling activities, even if fragmented
• Apply global approaches such as:

The Scaling Readiness framework developed by CGIAR

FAO’s Science, Technology and Innovation Portal

This helps organizations systematically operationalize scaling and align their innovations with national and regional priorities.

Measuring Scaling: Smarter and Faster

Measurement is often perceived as one of the toughest parts of scaling, especially in complex systems. However, with advances in Artificial Intelligence (AI) and digital tools, measuring scaling has become faster, smarter, and more cost-effective.

APAARI works with national systems to:

• Introduce suitable indicators and measurement tools
• Enable real-time tracking of scaling progress
• Diagnose underlying reasons for progress or stagnation
• Strengthen data systems for better decision-making

By demystifying measurement, APAARI empowers national institutions to manage scaling with greater confidence and precision.

Beyond Technology: AI as a Tool for Transformation

Across the region, Artificial Intelligence is gaining momentum in agriculture. Yet, it’s often viewed merely as a technology to be developed. APAARI takes a different perspective: the real impact comes not from developing AI, but from effectively using it in the system.

For many low- and middle-income countries, resources are limited. When AI funding becomes available, countries often focus on developing new technologies. While valuable, this may not always yield the highest impact. Instead, integrating AI into existing workflows — in ministries, research systems, and agricultural businesses — offers more immediate and sustainable benefits.

Countries like China, India, and Malaysia are already advancing AI development, which is commendable. But the true potential lies in adoption and practical use across systems.

APAARI collaborates with ministries and its own organizational colleagues to:

• Understand existing workflows (who does what, how knowledge flows, and how funding moves)
• Identify operational gaps and pain points
• Match AI capabilities to specific workflow needs

This approach is what we refer to as “building human-elevating AI capabilities.”

Adaptability: The Real Challenge of AI Integration

While the promise of AI in agriculture is immense, adaptability remains the most challenging part of system transformation.

Integrating AI into national agricultural systems involves more than technical installation. It requires:

• Institutional readiness — Structures and leadership commitment
• Capacity building — training staff to understand and apply AI tools confidently
• Cultural change — shifting organizational mindsets to embrace data-driven decision-making
• Sustainability planning — ensuring tools can be maintained and adapted over time

Many AI solutions fail to generate benefit at scale not because the technology is weak, but because institutions are not strategic enough to deploy the technologies based on the strength and weaknesses of their existing systems and human and financial resources. 

APAARI’s focus is to bridge this gap by working from within organizational and national system workflows, identifying what can realistically be adopted, and building step-by-step pathways for integration. This human-centered, adaptive approach ensures that AI does not remain a high-level concept but becomes a practical tool that improves efficiency, transparency, and impact.

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Written By : Ms. Darshika P. Senadheera, Communication officer, APAARI
Dr. Murat Sartas, Chief Scaling & Impact Officer, APAARI

The Asia-Pacific Association of Agricultural Research Institutions (APAARI) and the Global Crop Diversity Trust (Crop Trust) have expressed a shared interest in exploring a strategic partnership aimed at advancing their mutual goals and strengthening agri-food systems globally. Collaboration will generate mutual benefits and contribute to the achievement of their respective programmes and long-term objectives.

Both organizations already maintain strong collaborative linkages with regional and international bodies, non-governmental organizations, research institutions and universities worldwide. Building on these foundations, the APAARI and Crop Trust will seek to enhance their knowledge base and foster cooperation, knowledge exchange and innovation.

About Asia-Pacific Association of Agricultural Research Institutions (APAARI) 

Founded in 1990 by the FAO, the Asia-Pacific Association of Agricultural Research Institutions (APAARI) is a membership-based, apolitical, and multi-stakeholder organization that promotes agricultural research and innovation across the Asia-Pacific region. APAARI unites National Agricultural Research Systems (NARS), international research centres, universities, NGOs, and private-sector actors from 33 countries. Its mission is to strengthen agri-food research and innovation systems for sustainable development and food security in the region.

About Crop Trust 

Crop Trust is a non-profit international organization dedicated to conserving crop diversity and making it available for use globally, forever, for the benefit of everyone. Crop Trust works with donors and partners to deliver global projects and resources that protect crop diversity, conserve wild relatives and develop technology to make this diversity accessible worldwide.

The Centre on Integrated Rural Development for Asia and the Pacific (CIRDAP), an intergovernmental and autonomous organization established in 1979 under an international agreement facilitated by the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) of the United Nations, continues its mission to improve rural livelihoods across the Asia-Pacific region. Headquartered in Dhaka, Bangladesh, CIRDAP currently comprises 15 member countries: Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Fiji, India, Indonesia, Iran, Lao PDR, Malaysia, Myanmar, Nepal, Pakistan, the Philippines, Sri Lanka, Thailand, and Vietnam, and actively works toward expanding its membership.

Since its inception, CIRDAP has been dedicated to promoting integrated rural development through knowledge sharing, policy support, and capacity-building initiatives. Its programs focus on enhancing the quality of life of rural communities and fostering sustainable, inclusive growth across member countries.

In line with this mission, CIRDAP, in collaboration with its MoU partner Rural Economic and Educational Development Society (REEDS), has recently launched the International Rural Development Innovation Challenge 2026. This initiative aims to identify, support, and promote low-cost, locally driven innovations emerging from CIRDAP Member Countries (CMCs) that address complex rural challenges while strengthening regional cooperation.

The Challenge invites participation from all 15 member countries. Submissions will be evaluated by an eminent jury committee, and the five most promising innovations will each receive a cash award along with Certificates of Recognition. An additional ten innovations will be honored with Certificates of Appreciation. All submissions will be documented and published in an international compendium, highlighting innovative practices across the region.

• Last Date of Submission : 28 February 2026

Awardees will also have the unique opportunity to present their innovations at an International Conference in Sri Lanka, where they can engage with policymakers, entrepreneurs, investors, and experts, sharing their work and scaling its impact.

For more information, including guidelines for participation, please refer to the brochure and poster available on the CIRDAP website.

CIRDAP encourages active participation and invites stakeholders to share this initiative widely to foster collaboration and innovation across the Asia-Pacific region.

Contact Details: 

Ms. Hurain Jannat, Communication Officer, CIRDAP communication
communication_officer@cirdap.org
WhatsApp: +880 1741589228

Bioeconomy strategies allow catalyzing the transition to more efficient and responsible agrifood value chains, while reducing pressures on the global environment (like climate change, and biodiversity loss) concurrently. Global interest in bioeconomy is accelerating but cooperation remains fragmented, prompting calls for more coherence and cooperation. The G20 Initiative on Bioeconomy agreed on ten high-level principles to guide the development of sustainable, inclusive, and innovation-driven bioeconomy pathways. COP30 (Brazil) features bioeconomy, and UNEP’s Climate Technology Progress Report 2025 focuses on bioeconomy.

Cutting food loss and waste (FLW) and enhancing circularity are strategic entry points. Countries in Asia and the Pacific (China, Thailand, Malaysia, Japan, Republic of Korea, India) have taken significant steps forward, complemented by ASEAN frameworks such as the Framework for Circular Economy and the ASEAN Action Plan on Sustainable Agriculture. Bioeconomy is also part of the Jaipur Declaration on 3R and Circular Economy (2025–2035). FAO has made bioeconomy a Programme Priority Area under its “Better Environment” pillar of the Strategic Framework 2022–2031.

Visit here for more details :  FAO Bioeconomy in Asia and the Pacific – BIIF 2025

Date: 27th-28th October 2025
Time: 20:00 CET
Hosted by: International Safe Cassava Network and The Global Plant Council
Chair: Prof Ros Gleadow

• Day 1: Konzo is a poorly understood neurological disease linked to exposure to cyanogens from improperly processed cassava. This session will explore konzo from a clinical perspective, and provide insights into its pathophysiology and treatment options.
  – Register here 
• Day 2: Cassava is a highly productive and important food security crop. It is also the only staple crop that can be toxic to humans under certain conditions. Cassava contains cyanogenic glucosides which can release toxic cyanide. This session will discuss the importance of cassava and ways to improve its safety through breeding and genome editing.
  – Register here

Main Language: English

Knowledge Management (KM) plays a pivotal role in connecting research and policy, ensuring that evidence and innovations effectively inform decision-making. This session will highlight strategies, tools, and practical cases where KM has driven agricultural transformation through stronger research–policy linkages.

The webinar will provide participants with fresh insights into how KM strengthens evidence-informed policymaking and contributes to sustainable agricultural development across Africa.

This session is designed for KM professionals, agricultural researchers, policymakers, regional networks, development partners, and donor agencies.

The Knowledge Management for Agriculture Development (KM4AgD) Community of Practice (CoP), hosted by the Forum for Agricultural Research in Africa (FARA), is pleased to invite you to its upcoming bi-monthly webinar:
Theme: Bridging KM, Research and Policy for Agricultural Transformation
Date: Thursday, 11 September 2025
Time: 10:00 – 11:30 GMT+0
Venue: Virtual via Zoom

Register here to join the conversation.

Guest Speaker

• Michael Victor – Head of Communications, Advocacy & Knowledge Management, International Livestock Research Institute (ILRI)

Facilitators

• Mabel Lum Shu – CoP Facilitator, WACSI
• Bebel Nguepi – CoP Facilitator, AFAAS

Host

• Benjamin Abugri – Cluster Lead, Knowledge Management, Digitalization & Learning (KMDL), FARA

Why Attend?

Explore the role of KM in strengthening research uptake and policy influence
Learn practical strategies and tools for linking KM to policy processes
Gain insights from lived experiences and institutional best practices

Read more and check the agenda

Dates: November 2–7, 2025
Venue: Agharkar Research Institute (ARI), Pune, India

The International Fusarium Laboratory Workshop 2025 will be hosted at the Agharkar Research Institute (ARI), Pune, India, from November 2 to 7, 2025. This important scientific event is organized by:

• National Fungal Culture Collection of India (NFCCI), Agharkar Research Institute
  
• ICAR – National Bureau of Agriculturally Important Microorganisms (NBAIM)
  

The Asia-Pacific Association of Agricultural Research Institutions (APAARI) is pleased to co-organize this event and support efforts to strengthen diagnostic and research capacities in fungal science across the region.

This intensive workshop will be led by internationally recognized experts in Fusarium research and diagnostics. Participants will receive hands-on training in morphological, genetic, and molecular biological techniques used to identify and characterize Fusarium strains relevant to agriculture, medicine, and allied sectors.

Key learning areas will include:

• Identification of Fusarium species based on morphological traits
  
• Vegetative Compatibility Group (VCG) and cross-fertility assays
  
• DNA extraction, PCR amplification, sequencing, and phylogenetic analysis
  

The program will be entirely dedicated to laboratory-based training using standard Fusarium strains, providing participants with practical skills and foundational knowledge to support research and diagnostic work in their respective institutions.

Click here to read more

Contact:
Dr. Sanjay Singh
Scientist ‘G’
Biodiversity and Palaeobiology
Agharkar Research Institute
Gopal Ganesh Agarkar Road
Pune 411004, India
sksingh@aripune.org 

Bangkok, Thailand – 25 July 2025 – The Asia-Pacific Association of Agricultural Research Institutions (APAARI) held its 18th General Assembly Meeting (GAM) in Bangkok, Thailand, in a hybrid format. The meeting brought together representatives from 11 member countries and 6 associate members, under the chairmanship of Prof. Lindsay Falvey, Commissioner for International Agricultural Research, ACIAR, Australia. The Assembly reviewed progress, endorsed key governance decisions, strengthened partnerships, and elected new leadership to guide the organization through 2026.

Newly elected member countries and institutions and New Executive Committee leadership include:
Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, Samoa, Papua New Guinea, South Korea, The Philippines, and from the higher education sector – Vignan University, India.

• Chairperson: Dr. Reynaldo Ebora, Philippine Council for Agriculture, Aquatic and Natural Resources Research and Development (PCAARRD)
• Vice Chairperson: Dr. Prabhath Wimal Kumara, Sri Lanka Council for Agricultural Research Policy (SLCARP)

Visit here to read the full proceedings

Acknowledgements

Dr. Ravi Khetarpal, Executive Director, APAARI, and his team gratefully acknowledge the contributions of the following representatives:

• Ms. Susmita Islam, Ministry of Agriculture, Bangladesh
• Dr. Md. Mustafizur Rahman, Bangladesh Agricultural Research Council (BARC)
• Dr. Shalendra Prasad, Ministry of Agriculture and Waterways, Republic of Fiji
• Dr. Aniadila Binti Kamaruddin, Malaysian Agricultural Research and Development Institute (MARDI)
• Dr. Peter Aglua Gendua, National Agricultural Research Institute (NARI), Papua New Guinea
• Dr. Tran Minh Tien, Vietnam Academy of Agricultural Sciences, MARD, Viet Nam
• Dr. Fiame Leo, The Scientific Research Organization of Samoa (SROS) / Ministry of Agriculture and Fisheries (MAF), Samoa
• Dr. Tick Nouanthavong, National Agriculture and Forestry Research Institute (NAFRI), Lao PDR
• Dr. Kyung-Tai Lee, Rural Development Administration (RDA), South Korea
• Dr. Chanthy Pol, Cambodian Agricultural Research and Development Institute (CARDI)
• Dr. Rinzin Wangchuk, Department of Agriculture, Ministry of Agriculture and Forests, Bhutan
• Dr. Babar Bajwa, Centre for Agriculture and Biosciences International (CABI)
• Dr. Sabyan Faris Honey, Centre for Agriculture and Biosciences International (CABI)
• Dr. Norihito Kanamori, Japan International Research Center for Agricultural Sciences (JIRCAS)
• Dr. Francios Stepman, Global Forum on Agricultural Research and Innovation (GFAiR)
• Dr. Rida Shibli, Association of Agricultural Research Institutions in the Near East & North Africa (AARINENA)
• Dr. Botir Dosov, Central Asia and the Caucasus Association of Agricultural Research Institutions (CACAARI)
• Dr. Abid Hussain, International Centre for Integrated Mountain Development (ICIMOD)
• Dr. Jeya Kumar, Tamil Nadu Agricultural University (TNAU)
• Dr. Ramesh Babu, Vignan’s Foundation for Science, Technology & Research