9
similar workshop was held in Pakistan on Integrated Pest Management Strategies, attended by Bangladesh, the Republic of Korea, Myanmar, Nepal and Viet Nam. These helped in promoting trade and consumption of maize, groundnut and other commodities.
Agricultural Industries
37.
A Regional Expert Consultation on Sericulture Development in Asia was convened by FAO in February 1989 with experts from Bangladesh, China, India, Indonesia, the Democratic People's Republic of Korea, Malaysia, Philippines, Sri Lanka and Thailand, to consider regional cooperation in sericulture development. The establishment of the Asian Network on Sericulture Research and Development was the major recommendation which is being actively pursued.
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III.
LIVESTOCK
Feed Resources
38.
Field research activities aimed at increasing production of pasture and fodder have been carried out in high-altitude areas of Himalayan countries as well as tropical pastures in Southeast Asian countries. The use of agro-industrial by-products for ruminants through special treatment techniques has been encouraged by research, seminars and publications. Support through TCP projects was provided for better utilization of fodder, straw and sugarcane for animal feeding to Viet Nam, China and Philippines. Animal feed resources in the South Pacific Island countries were reviewed. A global expert consultation on feeding dairy animals in tropical conditions was held in Bangkok in July 1989.
Animal Health
39.
In order to cope with an emergency outbreak of rinderpest, 20 000 doses of tissue culture vaccine were provided to Sri Lanka, though FAO-APHCA Vaccine Bank, and a TCP project to supplement efforts of the Governments was approved. A Sub-regional Training Course for Diagnosis of Rinderpest using ELISA Techniques was organized. Preparations are being made for an early launching of the South-Asia Rinderpest Eradication Campaign (SAREC). Thailand was given assistance under TCP to improve production and quality control of Heamorrhagic Septicaemia vaccine.
40.
Bangladesh, Laos and Myanmar were supported through an emergency TCP project to control the outbreak of FMD. Sub-regional and National Training Courses on Diagnosis of FMD were conducted in India and Pakistan, respectively. A Training Course on Animal Quarantine Management was conducted for the Philippines. Significant progress has been made in implementing a project for the establishment of a high-security animal disease centre in India.
Animal Breeding and Genetic Resources
41. Regional Animal Gene Banks were established to store semen and embryos from endangered breeds of domestic animals on a permanent basis in China and India. The Regional Frozen Semen Bank was established in Thailand to promote exchange of Asian cattle and buffalo semen. The FAO Semen Donation Scheme continues to provide member countries with good quality cattle semen.