“Peter Casier is now delivering the introduction to social media #GCARD3” This was the first tweet about GCARD3 Social Media Training, tweeted by Ratih (@ratatatih) on 7th, December 2015, in Bangkok, Thailand. This training organized by GFAR, covered an overview of all social media tools, their use for nonprofit causes and how to put all these … More YPARD presence at GCARD3 Social Media Training in Bangkok

Bangkok, December 7 2015. 08:30 AM. I look at an empty room. The video projector is humming softly, the WiFi is tested, and the coffee is ready. Within half an hour, this room will be filled with 21 people. All are social media trainees for the “High Level Policy Dialogue on Investment in Agricultural Research … More Social media training – the way (aha, aha) I like it…

Reflecting on discussions at the recent High level Policy Dialogue in Bangkok, Nikita Bhusal, a student of Food Technology from Nepal, believes the transition from traditional and subsistence agriculture in the Asia Pacific region depends on how we attend to a number of “flashpoints” for agricultural development.

Many researchers discuss innovative funding mechanisms to increase finance for agricultural research. Then again, what are the expectations around the impact of investment in agricultural research and innovation that need to be placed on the table? At the High Level Policy Dialogue in Bangkok earlier this month, Chris Jackson, Lead Economist on Agriculture Global Practice … More Putting the case for more investment on the table

If I asked you to picture a farmer, you would probably think of an elderly man strenuously tending to his crops. A perfect example of how agriculture is growing old in our minds. The role of youth in agriculture is one of the major topics being discussed at the High Level Policy Dialogue on Investment … More How old was that farmer again?

Exiting one of the sessions at the High Level Policy Dialogue, I saw a group of nine men and women clustered around two men off to the side. The group spoke with great animation, and I felt an excitement as soon as I stepped into the circle. What were they discussing? Could it be that … More The revolution happens in the hallway and over half-empty cups of tea

“Enough of the jargon, enough of the hierarchies, enough of the competition amongst us. Let us collaborate and serve those who we claim to be serving ,” said Mark Holderness, Executive Secretary of Global Forum on Agricultural Research (GFAR) as the High Level Policy Dialogue came to a close. Is this a call for a … More Is there no cause to disrupt current systems?

Can you imagine a time when farmers will be able to solve almost any problem with a mouse click, accessing information on their soils without even stepping outside, or consulting with agricultural scientists from all over the world without leaving home? New technologies have enormous potential to change the way we farm:  to spur economic … More Virtual farming in the Asia-Pacific

That was a trademark comment from Chef Ron Ben Israel during his Sweet Genius show that aired on the Food Network several years ago. It was a cooking competition that specialized in dessert. The winner was a “sweet genius” for their creativity in producing amazing desserts with unusual ingredients. In a world facing a myriad … More ‘Call it magic, call it genius’

At the High Level Policy Dialogue in Bangkok this week, I put this question to the speakers:  “How will you (policy makers, scientists, members of the academia) encourage youth to get involved in agriculture?” Unfortunately, I didn’t hear the response –  my heart was beating so loudly and rapidly after asking that question that my … More How do we involve youth in agriculture? Eh – wait – what was that again?

Monocultures will one day be our downfall – it’s a well-known fact in the agricultural world. Yet we are still stuck in this one-track, post-Green Revolution chess game, moving one square at a time, with the commodities reigning as king. Many great points were made at the High Level Policy Dialogue on Investment in Agricultural … More Diversification or Desertification?

Climate and agriculture seem to have a love-hate relationship, but if sustainable actions are adopted, then there may be a chance for the two to co-exist happily enough. This relationship was the subject of much discussion by experts at the High Level Policy Dialogue on Investment in Agricultural Research for Sustainable Development in Asia and … More Climate-Smart Agriculture: the key to a happy marriage?

Apps and other forms of Information and Communications Technology (ICT) seem to be cropping up everywhere. Like the most ambitious of weeds, new ones appear almost daily. As a result, people may find it hard to sort out the junk from the gems, especially when it comes to sustainable agricultural development. While smartphones and other … More To App or not to App?

The global divestment in agricultural research is quite startling when one considers how important agricultural production has been as a driver of growth in the developing world. Many countries in Asia are underinvesting in agricultural research. Cambodia, Lao PDR and Pakistan invest less than 0.20 percent of their AgGDP in agricultural research, which is clearly … More Investment on agricultural research fails to shine

At the High Level Policy Dialogue leading up to GCARD3 (The Third Global Conference on Agricultural Research for Development), issues ranging from investment strategies to open access data, to climate smart solutions are hot topics of discussion. But what is missing?

I’m thinking, is the discussion over? No, not yet, and I am not getting what I was expecting. I flew to Bangkok from my home country, Nepal,  to attend the GCARD3 Social Media Training and High Level Policy Dialogue on Investment in Agricultural Research for Sustainable Development in Asia and the Pacific, organized by APAARI … More Is the discussion over?

Like a gift box, as soon as it is opened, buzz words are flying out all over: Sustainable Development Goals, biotechnology, “globesity”, value-added growth and a lot more. Somewhere in the midst of the excitement, the word “women” is mentioned, very quickly, and then left on the ground. If the chatter is about agriculture, shouldn’t … More Don’t leave us behind!

In Indonesia, small farm holdings and a lack of capital are proving to be major obstacles in the fight against poverty. In East Java, Indonesia, the minimum wage is USD 250, but farmers there receive less than USD 40 . That’s common among farmers in Indonesia, especially for those in food production. That’s of major … More Agriculture and Poverty in Indonesia

Climate change, food security and agriculture. It’s a hot topic –  no more so than at the High Level Policy Dialogue on Investment in Agricultural Research for Sustainable Development in Asia and the Pacific. Agriculture is a vulnerable sector and countries with the least ability to adapt to climate change are the ones who are … More Let’s get smart