11.
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IV.
RESEARCH AND TECHNOLOGY DEVELOPMENT
Strengthening National Research Capabilities
49.
Support was given to China, India, Laos, Western Samoa and Viet Nam to strengthen their national agricultural research systems. A project preparatory survey was made on adaptation and transfer of dryland farming technology for small farmers as practised in satellite experiment stations of agricultural research institutions of Bangladesh, China, Indonesia, Myanmar, Nepal, Thailand and Viet Nam. The draft inter-country project document was prepared and discussed at a workshop held in Bangkok, and was subsequently finalized. Thailand was assisted in improving food and agricultural production and storage with nuclear and related technologies which have helped in development of new varieties and prevention of food losses. Four countries were assisted to strengthen research and development related to use of isotopes for improved agricultural production and protection.
Research Cooperation
50.
The legal framework, the mode of operation, and the priority areas of research cooperation were finalized at a Government Consultation on the Establishment of the Asia-Pacific Association of Agricultural Research Institutions. Five countries have endorsed the by-laws and agreed to abide by the rules relating to contributions.
Biotechnology
51.
The status of plant biotechnology was analysed in China, India, Indonesia, Malaysia, Philippines, Republic of Korea and Thailand. Successful experiences of use of biotechnology in improved production and protection of crops were documented and disseminated. A regional workshop on animal biotechnology was organized and several country projects, finalized during the workshop, have become operational.
Remote Sensing
52.
Assistance was given for: the application of remote sensing technology in agriculture, fishery and forestry resources in Bangladesh; the preparation of land use and forest maps using high-resolution data in Bhutan; the development of an opto-electronic laboratory in China; remote sensing technology for land development in India; estimation of grazing capacity in high altitude rangeland using remote sensing in Nepal; configuration of land resources information system in the Philippines; the utilization of remote sensing data for assessing agricultural and natural resources in Viet Nam; and for flood damage assessment in Thailand. These have considerably improved capacities of governments for forecasting food production, land use planning and disease and pest management. Support was also given to national forest inventory programmes in China, Indonesia, Mongolia and Thailand. Application-oriented remote sensing training courses were held in Bhutan and China.
53.
Participants from the Region attended the Headquarters-based international remote sensing training courses on water resources applications (China, New Zealand, Papua New Guinea, Philippines, Thailand) and on land resources applications (China, India, Indonesia, Mongolia, Nepal, Thailand, Viet Nam).