In Vietnam rice is grown on 85% of cultivated land. Annual paddy (unmilled) rice production grew from 19.2 million metric tons in 1990 to 42.4 million metric tons by 2011, and in 2012, Vietnam exported eight million metric tons of rice. These yield increases were achieved through improved seeds, but...

This case study is part of the work conducted by the Agroecological Learning Alliance in South East Asia (ALiSEA), in order to showcase outstanding agroecological initiatives at grass root level across the Mekong region (Cambodia, Laos, Myanmar and Vietnam). ALiSEA is an innovative regional initiative supported by Gret, aiming at...

The Green Gate Organic Farm is the farm operation part of the National Environment Centre (NEC), a vocational education facility part of TAFE NSW Riverina Institute in New South Wales, Australia. The farm was set up in the mid 1990’s. In the process of planning a number of uncertainties were...

Since 2012, national teams in eight countries in Asia, Africa and Latin America have been identifying options for policy, legal and administrative mechanisms for the implementation of the multilateral system of access and benefit sharing (MLS) for plant genetic resources. This article summarises if and how access and benefit sharing...

Dado que vivimos en un territorio extenso, prácticamente desierto y, además, con una densidad de población muy baja, desde tiempo atrás los australianos hemos tenido que responder astutamente a los desafíos que nuestra geografía y climas extremos nos presentan. Nos hemos visto obligados a, una y otra vez, definir, concebir...

Public procurement refers to the process through which governments or public agencies acquire goods and services to undertake its daily operations, and deliver basic services to its constituents. Governments buy, lease and/ or secure goods and services through other means of exchange in order to implement their plans and programs....

Despite a growing dairy industry in India, farmers’ lack of access to organized markets and institutional credit remains one of the major hindrances in improving the scale and productivity of dairying. Using data from a survey of 612 households from the state of Punjab, India, this paper evaluates farmers’ choices...

Mountain people learn, live, love and unite for life – to awaken and search for the treasure within the mountain. By combining our wisdom, we can co-exist and develop to our fullest potential, working towards holistic dignity and sustainability. This initiative involves 1,144 families, mainly concentrated in Mae Win, Mae...

India faces a dual crisis related to food and agriculture. First is the malnutrition and hunger crisis. Every 4th Indian is hungry. Every third women is severely malnourished. Every second child is “wasted”. This is not “Shinning India” but “Starving India”. The second aspect of the crisis is the agrarian...

This paper provides a brief overview of agroforestry systems in Vanuatu through case studies on two villages on Efate Island, Etas and Epau. Epau village is longer settled and is characterised by secure property rights, while Etas is a newly settled village with less secure property rights. Common problems facing...

Farming has long been seen as an overworked and underpaid job. Many people, especially the youth in the countryside, choose to leave the fields. Now, the stereotype is changing. A pilot family farm scheme in Shanghai's Songjiang District has made farming a career with a decent income. In 2015, the average...

Tea began its journey towards becoming the most widely consumed beverage in the world, after water, some 5 000 years ago. According to folklore, a few tea leaves accidentally wafted into a pot of water that a Chinese emperor was boiling, giving off a rich aroma and enticing the emperor...

Beginning this year, the Indian government is trying to create a unique brand which will be called “Make in India” which can be applied to 25 sectors such as space, tourism and hospitality, wellness, and many more. Food processing is also one the area of focus. Advantages of development in the food processing...

Integrantes del Comité Técnico de Trabajo (Comité Nacional) de Filipinas, junto con decenas de aliados y colaboradores asistieron a la conferencia de KLM-PE (Knowledge and Learning Market-Policy Engagement) bajo el título AIAF+1, celebrado en Noviembre de 2015 en Quezon City, Filipinas.

The TheruBeedi Seed Bank and Producer Group facilitate informal benefit sharing mechanisms that can be very effective in protecting biodiversity and encouraging farmers to contribute to the genetic pool. The approaches include offering family farmers incentives to cultivate traditional or rare varieties, providing assistance in the marketing of their products,...

Food crops such as rice, maize and cabbage are grown over two-thirds of Korea’s total arable land. Damage inflicted by soil-borne insects threatens yields, with losses of up to 30%. The proliferation of these pests is the result of a lack of safe, feasible control methods. This project aims to...

The Soil Health Card scheme is an initiative launched by the Government of India in February 2015. A soil health card is intended to provide each farmer with information regarding the status of his/her soil as well as providing advice on fertilizer usage and other nutrient recommendations that maintain soil health in the long...

The agriculture sector is the largest employer in developing countries of Asia and in Pacific Island Countries (PICs). Smallholders, landless and marginal farmers and their families, who comprise the main category of the rural self-employed in the sector, face a large number of economic, demographic, social and technical constraints. Strengthening...

To commemorate the International Year of Family Farming, the M.S. Swaminathan Research Foundation (MSSRF), Chennai and the Food and Agriculture Organisation of the United Nation (FAO) Regional Office for Asia and the Pacific, Bangkok, organised an Asia-Pacific Regional Consultation at Chennai in August 2014. Several background papers were prepared for...

Las Kuatras Marias farm is located in San Narcisso village, near Victoria City in Oriental Mindoro, Philippines, where rice monoculture is the main source of income for family farmers in the area. Applying an extensive knowledge of indigenous and organic practices, the farm is strategically structured in distinct components that...