NEWS & EVENTS (September 2008)

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Seventh workshop on Rice Technology Transfer Systems in Asia
under way in Korea

Sixteen participants from Cambodia, China, Indonesia, Korea, Lao PDR, Myanmar, the Philippines, Sri Lanka, Thailand, Uzbekistan, and Vietnam are now attending the seventh course offering of the 2-week training workshop on Rice Technology Transfer Systems (RTTS) in Asia, 18 September to 1 October, at the International Technical Cooperation Center (ITTC), Rural Development Administration, Suwon, Korea.

RTTS course, which started in 2002, jointly funded by RDA and IRRI, aims to analyze and identify
the relevant components of Korean agriculture applicable to the participants’ country circumstances;
identify and critically analyze the components of successful research-extension linkage as exemplified by the Korean system; present and analyze successful rice technology transfer case studies/projects throughout Asia; document these case studies to serve as a reference in enhancing technology delivery; improve the technology promotion and delivery knowledge and skills of the participants; and develop an entry plan for the technology transfer components of the participants’ country project.

The course features dynamic methods of teaching and field exposure that will enhance the participants’ learning and appreciation of the concepts and principles, approaches, and case studies of technology transfer in Korea and Asia. It also provides additional skills needed for effective technology promotion and delivery to farmers and various stakeholders. The course is coordinated by Mr. Julian Lapitan of IPMO, IRRI. Dr. Ok-Sun Ahn of ITCC, RDA, coordinates the course, while Mr. Jong-Min Jung of RDA and Ms. Angie Maghuyop of IRRI’s Training Center serve as course facilitators.

Dr. Seung-Yeol Na, director general of the International Agricultural R & D Cooperation Bureau of RDA, and Dr. Kshirod Kumar Jena, IRRI representative to Korea, graced the opening ceremony. In his opening speech, Dr. Na mentioned that the course has already trained 116 trainees from 17 countries from Asia. He said that the course is very relevant in view of the current global reliance on food security. He also underscored the fact that, to increase rice production at the farm level, every government must support an effective technology delivery program through strong linkage between research and extension, with the active participation of farmers. He hoped that the participants would take to their respective countries any relevant technologies and information they learned from the course.

Dr. Jena emphasized that the course was one of the very significant fruits of the Korea-IRRI partnership of more than 40 years. He said that the course provides the opportunity for the participants to gain knowledge on the mechanism of technology transfer in Korea and share their own experiences among themselves. "The course was developed jointly by RDA and IRRI to foster closer international cooperation in rice technology transfer systems among Asian countries," he added. "I encourage all the participants to enjoy the opportunity to interact with fellow participants and Korean people and admire their pristine culture."

Twelve Finish Diagnostics of Seedborne Rice Diseases Training Workshop

The Sanitary and Phytosanitary Capacity Building Program (SPS CBP) is an AusAID-funded, three-year regional program managed by the Office of the Chief Plant Protection Officer within the Australian Government Department of Agriculture, Fisheries, and Forestry. This year, AusAid collaborated with IRRI for a 7-day (30 August - 5 September) Training Workshop on the Diagnosis of Seedborne Rice Diseases.

The program assists ASEAN (Association of Southeast Asian Nations) focal countries, namely, Thailand, Indonesia, the Philippines, Cambodia, Lao PDR, Myanmar, Vietnam, and Malaysia, to describe and manage their animal and plant health status, and implement SPS measures consistent with international standards for phytosanitary measures and the expectations of trading partners.

Further information about the program’s background and activities can be obtained from the SPS CBP Web site.

The workshop focused on identifying seedborne fungal, nematode, and bacterial pathogens with sessions on rice seed health tests--dry seed inspection for fungal seed diseases, incubation methods for fungal infection without symptoms, practical sessions on isolation and pathogenicity tests of bacterial pathogens from rice seeds, seed conditions, contaminants, and rice seed treatment. Also included was a demonstration of the PCR technique for the identification of Xanthomonas oryzae pv. oryzae, which still needs to be standardized. The workshop included a session on diagnostic standards using the International Plant Protection Convention (IPPC) document ISPM No. 27. This enhanced understanding of the concept of diagnostic standards, why these are needed, and what information is to be incorporated into a standard.

Participants from Brunei Darussalam, India, Malaysia, Myanmar, the Philippines, Singapore, Thailand, and Vietnam attended the training workshop which consisted of interactive lectures, individual and group discussions, and laboratory familiarization on instruments, equipment, and facilities used in seed health tests. Resource persons were staff members from the Plant Pathology Cluster of PBGB headed by Dr. Nollie Vera Cruz, the Seed Health Unit headed by Pat Gonzales and Dr. Silvino Merca, seed pathologist (consultant). Training facilitation was done by the TC Training Team led by Angie Maghuyop.