the priority list of the ADB study. This is in line with a general change in research orientation/priorities from commodity research to more complex research approaches. Policy research, when tailored to a developing country's specific needs, would take into account the relationship between production and productivity of agricultural resources, marketing and trade, consumption patterns and demand, and the socio-economic environment particularly of small farmers and low-income rural and urban people. Above all, it would determine the governments' policies and strategies on food production and on research specifically.
14.
Agricultural research has so far tended to concentrate on exportable cash crops, superior grains such as wheat and rice, and irrigated areas, in general for cultivation in the more favoured agro-ecological land areas. The vast dryland/rainfed areas which are predominantly inhabited by resource-poor farmers have not received due attention. Although it will be necessary to continue research for irrigated and more favoured areas, more attention must be given to research on agriculture in difficult environment such as rainfed lowlands and uplands, hilly slopes, acid sulphate soils, saline soils, etc. This applies particularly in the context of sustainable development.
15.
Greater attention also needs to be given to developing technologies for integrated pest management. Research on horticultural crops should also be intensified as it has been neglected in the past, both at national and international levels. Further needs are to ensure consideration of impacts of research on social equity and attention to the technological needs of women for their agricultural and household activities.
16.
A new area of research for agriculture is emerging from the availability of new techniques and the greater knowledge of biological processes in a field widely called "biotechnology". FAO is promoting research in this field. In animal production and health a network has already been created in which the larger countries of the region participate. A symposium on plant biotechnologies for developing countries has led to a project to establish in the Region a network on biotechnologies for the improvement of plant production. This project is in the preparatory assistance stage. Document, APRC/90/4, presented to this Conference, deals in depth with the status and prospects of biotechnology in the Region.
17.
FAO's contribution to agricultural research development in the Region is quite considerable. The Organization has carried out numerous regional or national agricultural projects with a substantial research component. These cover crops, livestock, forestry, fisheries and rural development. Twenty of the ongoing projects have, as their direct objective, the strengthening or establishment of national research systems.
18. Furthermore, FAO is currently operating eight regional research networks i.e. on coarse grains and legumes, coconut, highland agriculture, root and tuber crops, buffaloes, rainfed farming systems, rural energy and organic recycling. The projects share the latest research results of the cooperating countries under TCDC (Technical Cooperation among Developing Countries).
19.
FAO is closely cooperating with the International Agricultural Research Centres (IARCs) of the Consultative Group on International Agricultural Research (CGIAR), particularly at field level but also through policy inputs to the Technical Advisory Committee (TAC) and the Group itself. FAO provides also logistic support to the Region's Representatives