6
1
Crop Improvement and Management
21.
India, Thailand and Vietnam were assisted for preparation of national projects on hybrid rice. Assistance was given to Sri Lanka to strengthen research and development of rainfed rice; to Bhutan in management of irrigated rice, including fertility improvement through the use of Sesbania green manuring; and to the Democratic People's Republic of Korea to increase rice productivity by upgrading rice breeding programmes.
22.
Member countries benefited from a Regional Expert Consultation on Rainfed Agriculture during which they shared successful experiences, including contigency crop planning in the event of droughts and floods, and watershed management. A regional network on rainfed agriculture was established for promoting TCDC. Assistance provided to Bangladesh, Indonesia, Laos, Nepal, Pakistan, Philippines, Sri Lanka, Thailand and Viet Nam has helped in increased and sustained production of grain legumes and coarse grains in these countries.
23.
As regards diversification of the agricultural economies of the developing countries, Thailand was assisted in introducing safflower production. Constraints to and possibilities of improved oilseed production were examined through a FAO-organized expert consultation. Experts from nine countries participated and a Regional Network was established. Technical support was given to India for oil palm production in irrigated areas, and Simarouba glauca was introduced to Myanmar as a new source of edible oil. Coconut-producing countries in the Region were assisted through germplasm exchange, workshops and training under the regional project on coconut, resulting in increased adoption of improved management practices and new varieties, including hybrids.
24.
A strategy for research and development of minor high-value tropical fruits in humid and sub-humid regions of South Asia, temperate fruits and nuts in hilly and mountainous zones of Asia, and tropical fruits in the Pacific Island countries, was developed and finalized at a regional expert consultation. Bangladesh, China, the Democratic People's Republic of Korea, Fiji, Indonesia, Laos, Mongolia, Pakistan, Sri Lanka and Viet Nam were assisted in the establishment and implementation of national projects on fruits. Production manuals on selected fruits were prepared and distributed, helping member countries to adopt improved practices. A regional network on fruits was established. Catalysed by the various FAO activities, countries are giving greater attention to improved production of fruits.
25.
Root crop production was further promoted through assistance to Bangladesh, Malaysia, Philippines and Sri Lanka on potato cultivation, resulting in economical production of this crop under warm and humid conditions. Indonesia and Sri Lanka were assisted in preparation of integrated multidisciplinary projects on cassava.
26.
China, the Democratic People's Republic of Korea, and Pakistan were given assistance to strengthen vegetable production programmes through a regional project, and new technologies and breeding lines were adopted by these countries. A regional network on vegetables was established after an expert consultation attended by 12 countries and an expanded regional project to include additional countries was prepared. Assistance was given to Bangladesh, Myanmar and Nepal for the multiplication and dissemination of improved vegetable varieties, and to China and Thailand in soil-less culture of vegetables. Training workshops were organized on tissue culture and breeding of vegetables in three countries which resulted in increased use of