Webinar – Asia-Pacific Association of Agricultural Research Institutions (APAARI)

Celebrating World Soil Day: How Participatory Approaches can Enhance Soil Health

Vishwanath Sah — Mon, 09 Dec 2024 05:38:45 +0000

World Soil Day, observed annually on December 5, highlights the critical role of soil in sustaining life and ensuring food security. Despite its importance, soil faces significant challenges from degradation, unsustainable practices, and human activities.

Participatory approaches, involving farmers, scientists, and stakeholders, offer a promising way forward. By adopting region-specific solutions, we can restore degraded lands, improve yields, and build resilience against climate change. Successful initiatives, like those in Madhya Pradesh, India, demonstrate how collaboration can boost productivity and sustainability.

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Webinar: Economic performance and climate change mitigation potential of agroecology: evidence and knowledge gaps

Vishwanath Sah — Thu, 05 Dec 2024 11:09:33 +0000

Global Forum on Agricultural Research and Innovation (GFAiR) is announcing an upcoming webinar titled: “Economic Performance and Climate Change Mitigation Potential of Agroecology: Evidence and Knowledge Gaps.”

Date: December 12th, 2024
Time: 10:00 AM CET
Register Here
Live stream: on the GFAiR You Tube page

Key Speakers

Maria Luisa Paracchini (European Commission, Joint Research Centre, Directorate D – Sustainable Resources)
Felix Rembold
Carlo Rega
Caroline Callenius

What to Expect
Maria Luisa Paracchini will present findings from systematic reviews on the impact of agroecology on food security, socioeconomic performance, and food system sustainability. Additionally, she will highlight ongoing reviews on climate change mitigation and adaptation, identify open research questions, and emphasize the need for more quantitative data.

Click Here to read more

APAARI Successfully Organized a Webinar on Effective Risk Communication Strategies for Agricultural Trade and Food Safety

Vishwanath Sah — Wed, 06 Sep 2023 07:41:25 +0000

Under the Pesticide Residue Mitigation Project funded by the Standards and Trade Development Facility (STDF PG 634), the Asia Pacific Association of Agricultural Research Institutions (APAARI), organized a highly informative webinar on August 18, 2023.

Active Participation and Valuable Insights:

The workshop attracted a diverse audience of forty-five participants, including representatives from academia and government. Dr Ravi Khetarpal, Executive Secretary, APAARI provided the opening remarks and set the stage by giving a background on project and the highlighting the importance of the risk communication webinar. Dr. David Stone, Associate Dean from Oregon State University actively participated as a key resource person in the below sessions.

Effective Risk Communication Strategies: Dr. Stone’s 35-minute presentation covered key topics related to risk communication, including distinguishing risk from hazard, understanding drivers of risk perception, a risk communication framework, best practices in risk communication, and specialized strategies for pesticide-related risk communication.

Panel Discussion: A panel discussion moderated by Ms Martina Spisiakova from APAARI touched on different stakeholders’ perspective on risk communication related to pesticide management. The panel explored the significant role of risk communication in enhancing agricultural trade and food safety. The panel included the experts listed below:

KS Varaprasad (Risk Mitigation Coordinator, APAARI)
Jeevani Prasadika Marasinghe (Principal Agriculture Scientist (Toxicology), Office of the Registrar of Pesticides, Department of Agriculture, Sri Lanka)
Elrita Venter (Founder of Alternafruit SA Nursery Ltd and AgriEdge non-profit company)
David Stone (Associate Dean of International Programs at the Oregon State University, USA)

Developing Key Messages: In a concise 20-minute presentation, Dr. Stone shared insights on crafting effective key messages for diverse target audiences. This session covered best practices for science writing, displaying online information, addressing myths, and countering the rise of disinformation.

Positive Outcomes:

Following the presentations, a real-time survey captured the impressions of the participants. They were asked to describe the workshop in a single word, and the responses were overwhelmingly positive. Words such as “informative,” “very informative,” “excellent,” and “relevant” were among the top descriptors. A glimpse of the feedback from the participant collected through the survey is added in the below picture.

Feedback received from webinar participants

Robust Conversation:

The webinar stimulated a robust conversation among the participants. They emphasized the need for further development of risk communication strategies and stressed the importance of discussing pesticide residue and related issues with a wide range of stakeholders, from the general public to policy-makers. The webinar was attended by Dr Dennis Ndolo, Coordinator, Harmonizing regulations and mitigating pesticide residues in the SADC region and Dr Adriana Castaneda, Coordinator, Mitigating Chemical Residues in Latin America through the Promotion of Biopesticides. These three projects complement the activities conducted in Asia and help in sharing knowledge and experience across the region promoting south-south cooperation.

This webinar was a significant step toward advancing effective risk communication in the context of agricultural trade and food safety. It not only provided valuable insights but also highlighted the collective commitment to addressing critical challenges in the field.

For more updates and resources related to risk communication, agricultural trade, and food safety, stay connected with us.

Contact: Dr Sasireka Rajendran, Project Manager, APAARI, s.rajendran@apaari.org

Inaugural International Webinar on Collective Action on Transformation of Agricultural Education

Vishwanath Sah — Thu, 31 Aug 2023 12:12:18 +0000

Join us for the inaugural international webinar on September 14, 2023, as we introduce the “Collective Action on Transformation of Agricultural Education.” This groundbreaking initiative, known as the “Global-Inter Regional Collective Action on Transformative Learning of Higher Education Institutions (HEIs),” is dedicated to reshaping higher education in agriculture. By spotlighting inspiring cases of educational transformation, this effort aspires to craft a new paradigm termed “agricultural universities without walls.” This innovative model hinges on student-centered experiential learning, ethical leadership, participatory curriculum development, co-innovation, and integration of trans-disciplinary methodologies.

Concept Note

Agenda

International Year of Millets Global Webinar Series | 3rd Webinar: “Climate Resilience of Millets”- 5 September 2023

Vishwanath Sah — Thu, 17 Aug 2023 05:00:51 +0000

Date: 5 September 2023 | 14:00-15:00 CEST

Location: Online

Register here

The United Nations General Assembly at its 75th Session in March 2021 declared 2023 the International Year of Millets (IYM 2023). As part of the IYM2023 celebration, the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) is organizing a “IYM Global Webinar Series” to shed light on the various environmental, social and economic benefits of millets, their rich heritage and their vast potential.

Dr Ravi Khetarpal, Executive Secretary of the Asia-Pacific Association of Agricultural Research Institution (APAARI) will shed light on the multifaceted benefits of millets, setting the stage for a captivating discourse. Beyond their nutritional value and ability to stave off food insecurity, millets hold a rich heritage and immense untapped potential that encourages us to explore further.

Join this webinar to learn more about the climate resilience characteristics of millets, the FAO Agro-Ecological Zones (AEZ) modelling framework developed for millets and farmers’ experience in growing millets in drylands.

AGENDA

14:00–14:05: Opening remarks by Mr Ravi Khetarpal, Asia-Pacific Association of Agricultural Research Institution (APAARI)
14:05-14:15: Climate resilient characteristic of millets by Ms Damaris Odeny, International Crops Research Institute for the Semi-Arid Tropics (ICRISAT), Kenya

14:15 –14:25: Agro-Ecological Zones (AEZ) modelling framework and millets by Mr Matieu Henry / Ms Federica Chiozza, FAO Land and Water Division

14:25 –14:35: Millets production in dry zone areas by Ms Megha Desai, Self employed women’s association (SEWA), World Rural Forum

14:35 –14:55: Q&A session

14:55 –15:00: Closing remarks by Mr Fenton Beed, FAO Plant Production and Protection Division

The webinar will be moderated by Mr Fenton Beed, Agricultural Officer, FAO

Register now for the upcoming IYM 2023 webinars: 19 September 2023 14:00-15:00 CEST – Opportunities for processing millets

Cultivating Safe Agriculture: Enhancing Trade and Food Safety through Pesticide Risk Communication

Vishwanath Sah — Wed, 09 Aug 2023 07:14:30 +0000

Date: 18th August 2023
Time: 6:30 PM Bangkok Time

Agriculture plays a vital role in ensuring food security and supporting global trade. However, it is crucial to maintain safe agricultural practices to protect consumers and the environment. We are excited to invite all agricultural enthusiasts to join our upcoming webinar on “Enhancing Agricultural Trade and Food Safety: Risk Communication on the Use of Pesticides.”

About the Webinar

In today’s interconnected world, safe agricultural practices are vital for trade and food security. Join us as we delve into the critical topic of risk communication on pesticide use. We will explore how effective communication can ensure the responsible and safe application of pesticides, promoting food safety and enhancing agricultural trade. This webinar will explore the importance of risk communication in promoting food safety and enhancing agricultural trade. Our expert speakers will shed light on best practices for responsible pesticide use, navigating challenges, and misconceptions in pesticide application, and strategies to promote sustainable agricultural trade.

Meet Our Expert Speakers

Dr. David Stone, Associate Dean of International Programs, Oregon State University, USA.
Ms. Martina Spisiakova, Strategy and Innovation Coordinator, APAARI, Thailand.

Who Should Attend?

This webinar is open to farmers, agricultural entrepreneurs, policymakers, researchers, and anyone interested in fostering safe agricultural practices and ensuring food safety in the market. Whether you are directly involved in the agricultural sector or simply passionate about sustainable farming, this webinar will provide valuable insights.

Registration

Don’t miss this incredible opportunity to gain valuable insights into enhancing agricultural trade and food safety. Secure your spot now by registering for the webinar using the following link: https://us06web.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZIpcumhrjIqE9Ephf1yijXz1dBwejAU92yw

The Agenda is available for download here

For further information or inquiries, please contact:

Sasireka Rajendran
Project Manager, APAARI
Email: s.rajendran@apaari.org

WEBINAR: Loss and damage in South Asia: What COP28 needs to deliver for the region

Vishwanath Sah — Fri, 04 Aug 2023 11:42:51 +0000

The Hindu Kush Himalaya region and South Asia are especially vulnerable to climate hazards due to development constraints and the prevalence of climate-sensitive livelihoods. The resulting loss and damage already being inflicted on people and nature is set to escalate as the world warms.

At COP27, countries agreed to set up a new fund and funding arrangements to assist vulnerable developing countries in responding to loss and damage. A transitional committee was set up to figure out the details, with the aim of finalising the fund at COP28 in Dubai.

The Santiago Network on Loss and Damage was also established at COP27 to help mobilise technical assistance to vulnerable countries. Progress on this has been delayed following a disagreement on where the network should be hosted.

This webinar, organised in partnership with Climate Analytics, will discuss priorities and challenges in relation to the new fund, the Santiago Network, and other key loss and damage issues to be agreed at COP28.

This is the second webinar facilitated by Climate Analytics in a series of webinars in the lead-up to COP28. You can rewatch the first webinar ‘The Road to COP28: Climate Action Priorities in South Asia’ here.

When: 8 August 2023, 15:15 NPT
Where: Online (Zoom) | Register here

Organised by: International Centre for Integrated Mountain Development (ICIMOD) and Climate Analytics

Read more here

Tiny Microbes with Big Business Impact: The Economic and Health Implications of Food Safety

Vishwanath Sah — Tue, 27 Jun 2023 04:34:32 +0000

Through biological and chemical contamination, tiny microbes have massive impacts on human health and global economies.

This webinar will explore the links between food safety programming and impacts on human health and nutrition, including the long-term effects of food poisoning. We will also explore the economic impact of unsafe food that must be discarded, undermining efforts to increase the availability, access, and affordability of safe and nutritious food.

Evidence-driven decision-making and strategic investments to prioritize food safety to improve food security is the key.

June 28, 2023
10:00 am – 11:00 am ET
Online only

Webinar on “Linking with Universities & Research Institutions on the PID Approach”

Vishwanath Sah — Wed, 19 Apr 2023 04:01:38 +0000

The Prolinnova network, through some of its members, is organising a series of three webinars for network members to share experiences in linking with universities and research institutions in the promotion of the Participatory Innovation Development (PID) approach. The first of these 2-hour webinars is planned to take place on Wednesday 19 April 2023 starting at 12:00 EAT/ 11:00 SAT / 9:00 WAT. Please save this date and time to join us in sharing and learning from each other about how we have linked with universities and research institutions in promoting the PID approach.

This will be a webinar internal to the Prolinnova network as an exchange and capacity-building activity. The experiences of the Prolinnova Country Platforms in Burkina Faso, Kenya, Nepal, South Africa and the UK will be presented.

Further information can be found here in English and French.

Empowering Women Farmers: SEWA’s Two-Day Workshop on Revitalizing Forgotten Food Crops and Amplifying the Voices of Family Farmers

Vishwanath Sah — Mon, 23 Jan 2023 10:45:26 +0000

Self Employed Women’s Association (SEWA) is organizing a two days workshop on “Forgotten Food Crops and Food: Voices of Family farmers under the leadership of women farmers” on 24th & 25th January 2023 at Modasa Taluka Panchayat Office in Gujarat. Participants can share insights and offer helpful advice on the supply chains of the various forgotten foods over the two days. Farmers’ voices will open each session, and then participants will interact under the kind supervision of the research scientists.

The workshop deliberates on the forgotten crops and food from the perspective of small and marginal women farmers, why they had been forgotten, how to address the challenges and ways to improve the market potential to strengthen the supply chain and bring those forgotten crops and food back into the mainstream to ensure food and nutrition security and lessen farmers’ vulnerability to climate change.

The workshop is a component of the Manifesto on Forgotten Foods by Global Forum on Agricultural Research and Innovation (GFAR) and partners, which is the outcome of an extensive consultation process conducted in Africa, Asia-Pacific, Europe, and the Middle East. A coalition of regional research organisations, including Association of Agricultural Research Institutions in the Near East and North Africa (AARINENA), Asia-Pacific Association of Agricultural Research Institution (APAARI), Forum for Agricultural Research in Africa (FARA), is in charge of this as part of GFAR’s Collective Actions to Empower Farmers at the Center of Innovation, with the support of Crops For the Future (CFF), the Alliance of Bioversity International, and International Center for Tropical Agriculture (CIAT).

As a member of the Asian Farmers’ Association For Sustainable Rural Development (AFA), SEWA contributes to the GFAR Collective Action on Forgotten Foods, which takes specific steps to create a policy environment that is supportive of more sustainable production methods. This global movement unites stakeholders around the pursuit of diversified agri-food systems that help realize SDG1: eradicating poverty in all its forms.

To discuss and connect to strengthen the supply chain market and the production and use of forgotten foods, farmer representatives from nine districts of Gujarat (India) will attend the event along with researchers, government officials, academics, young farmers, and market players.