Networks

Asia Pacific Agricultural Extension and Outreach Network

The Asia Pacific Agricultural Extension and Outreach Network (APAEON) was established in December 2014 to contribute to an enhanced linkage between agricultural research and extension to promote sustainable food systems and improve productivity in the region. The main goal is to achieve food and nutrition security in the whole Asia-Pacific region.

Sago Network for Asia and the Pacific (SNAP)

The establishment of SNAP came at the conclusion of a 2-day expert consultation in 2013 on the development of a regional Sago network for Asia and the Pacific hosted by FAO and attended by experts from 18 countries in the region.

When Sago is grown under organized farming practices, it has a potential yield of 10-15 metric tons of dried starch per hectare per year. This starch yield per hectare is approximately three to four times higher than that of rice or wheat and that means Sago can play an important role in promoting food security. The sago palm also provides strong economic, cultural and environmental advantages in rural areas where it is grown. It has high potential for industrial use such as the production of ethanol.

SNAP will act as a neutral forum with a common platform, and will encourage concerned countries in the Asia-Pacific region to promote research, development and conservation of Sago palm and to develop policy measures and strategic approaches that facilitate the promotion of concerted regional efforts geared to the promotion of Sago production.

Sustainable Rice Landscapes Initiative

Launched in 2018, during the 6th GEF Assembly meeting in Danang, Viet Nam, the Sustainable Rice Landscapes Initiative is a unique consortium of public, private and civil society partners, bringing together technological, ecological, policy and market-led approaches to the challenges of rice sustainability.The main objective of the partners in this initiative is to harness multiple opportunities to meet the growing global demand for sustainable rice, using a public-private partnership approach towards achieving the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

Sustainable Mechanization across Agri-Food Chains Network (SMAACNET)

The overarching goal of SMAACNET is to ensure that Sustainable Agricultural Mechanization (SAM) contributes to food security, economic development and ecological balance in Asia and the Pacific Region.

SMAACNET focuses on the needs of smallholder farmers and Small and Medium Entrepreneurs (SMEs).

More specifically SMAACNET aims:

To exchange knowledge, share experience and promote collaboration and concerted efforts among all stakeholders on the use of SAM across agri-food chains
To advocate for the economic, social and environmental values and benefits and trade-offs of using SAM across agri-food value chains.
To promote effective linkages among public and private stakeholders associated with the use of SAM in countries of Asia and the Pacific Region.
To facilitate the implementation of SAM at the regional, sub-regional and national levels as well as the implementation of policies and institutional mechanisms associated with SAM.