News
FAO Holds Technical Consultation and Debriefing of Technical Cooperation Project Formulation Mission on Ecological Management and Biological Control of Cassava Pink Mealybug
Bangkok, Thailand, 14-16 June 2010
 Cassava is a major crop used for human consumption, animal feed starch and bioenergy production in the Greater Mekong Subregion. Large numbers of smallholder farmers (2.5 million), individually or as workers in contract/concession farming schemes, derive their livelihoods from cassava production. Cassava production has undergone expansion and intensification in recent years, particularly driven by high demand for raw materials for bioenergy production. The cassava mealybug (Phenacoccus manihoti), which previously devastated crops in large parts of Africa, has recently arrived in Thailand, most likely on imported plant materials and has become a  major pest. Yields during the March/April 2010 harvest reported a drop of about 25% and economic losses resulting from mealybug damage are expected to be 2.8 billion Baht. With the opening up of economic corridors and growing crossborder trade of agricultural products, the mealybug is likely to spread across the GMS. Farmers, for lack of information and alternatives for pest management, have been intensively spraying their cassava crops with toxic pesticides putting themselves, farm workers, agroecosystems and the environment at risk. The practice eliminates beneficial biological control agents and it is likely that pesticides will exacerbate pest population build up.
 FAO fielded a formulation mission, led by Dr. Lim Guan Soon, Cassava Mealybug Ecological Management and Biocontrol Specialist, to determine the feasibility of developing a Regional Technical Cooperation Project for ecological management and biological control to stop the spread and manage mealybug populations. This endeavor culminated in a Technical Consultation and Formulation Mission Debriefing Meeting organized by the FAO Regional IPM Programme for Asia from 14-16 June 2010. Twenty-four participants attended the meeting cum studytour held in Korat, Nakornratchasima and Bangkok, Thailand. Participants included representatives of Governments and National IPM Programmes of six GMS countries (Cambodia, China PR,  Lao PDR, Myanmar, Thailand and Vietnam) and resource persons from national, regional and international NGOs, research and technical organizations (including CIAT and the Thai Tapioca Development Institute), FAO and the APPPC Standing Committee on IPM. Recommendations of the Technical Consultation will be used to finalize the draft TCP proposal for a regional project that will provide technical assistance to countries in the Greater Mekong Subregion to sustainably intensify cassava production through pesticide risk reduction and develop Integrated Pest Management strategies for cassava mealybug. The project would be rooted in successful biological control experiences in Africa and  the promising results seen in initial field releases of the imported parasitoid (Anagyrus lopezi) in cassava crops in Korat by the Department of Agriculture with assistance from IITA and CIAT. The project will assist countries develop pest-spread prevention strategies and ecological pest management approaches for in-situ mealybug management. This technical assistance will include facilitation of introduction of natural biological control options through training programmes for smallholder farmers and contract farming/concession schemes engaged in commercial cassava production, building on management and biological control experiences obtained in Thailand as well as within existing IPM research and training networks across the Greater Mekong Subregion.
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FAO-China Technical Cooperation Project "Action Research and Training for Prevention and Management of Actinidia Root Rot Disease among Smallholder Farmers in LeyeCounty, GuangxiProvince" is declared operational!
 Located in the western, mountainous part of Guangxi Autonomous Region, Leye County has become a major producer of actinidia (kiwi/Chinese Gooseberry). In recent years, crop yields have been seriously reduced due to a root rot, which causes vines to wilt and die. The disease, most likely caused by a complex of soil-borne fungal pathogens (including Phytophthora cinnamomi, Armillaria mellea and Fusarium sp.), has eliminated 30-50% of vines in most of the plantations. It is evident that if this disease is not brought under control, actinidia production will likely fail in Leye County, seriously depriving local farmers of a potentially rich source of income.
In February this year, FAO fielded a TCP formulation mission to Guangxi to assist the Guangxi/Leye Bureau of Agriculture to identify and develop an effective disease prevention and management strategy for kiwi root rot. Recently, the project was announced operational with a duration of July 2010 to June 2012.
 During the 1st TCP year, on-farm action research activities, involving local kiwi farmers, will be implemented to identify, test and develop the disease prevention and management strategy. With action research activities continuing into a 2nd year, capacity building activities for training local extension workers and Leye farmers will be initiated so as to ensure county-wide awareness raising and implementation of the disease prevention and management strategy. The project is designed in such a way that optimal use will be made of existing experience and IPM-FFS networks earlier established by the FAO Regional IPM Programme and Guangxi Plant Protection Station.
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Regional Meeting on Community Education forPesticide Risk Reduction Vietnam, 4-5 June 2010
 The FAO Regional IPM Programme for Asia organized a Regional Meeting on Community Education for Pesticide Risk Reduction on 4-5 June 2010 in Vietnam. The meeting brought together 20 participants representing the National IPM Programmes of Cambodia and Vietnam, the regional CSOs Pesticide Action Network – Asia Pacific (PAN-AP) and The Field Alliance (TFA), local CSOs Center for Rural Progress (CRP) and Center for Gender, Family and Environment Development (CGFED), Hanoi Agriculture University (HAU) and  staff of the FAO Regional IPM Programme for Asia. The meeting was organized to identify areas of future work, including strategies to further strengthen collaboration among all Swedish-funded Chemical Management Programme partners on Regional and National level, especially working together in pilot convergence areas topromote and implement Community Education for Pesticide Risk Reduction initiatives.
A studytour was carried out to Thai Giang commune, Thai Thuy district, Thai Binh province. Thai Giang commune is the site of the FAO/National IPM Programme supported pilot initiative on Community Education Programme for Pesticide Risk Reduction. Participants identified specific activities and strategies for strengthened impact and sustainability of the Pesticide Risk Reduction Community Education initiatives in Vietnam, China and Cambodia.
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BARI Organizes Workshop on Mass Rearing and Utilization
of Earwigs as a Biological Control Agent
Joydevpur, Bangladesh, 20-22 April 2010
 In July 2007, a Regional Workshop on Biological Control was organized in Khon Kaen, Thailand by FAO, in collaboration with the Thai Royal Government. As a follow-up to the regional workshop, the Government of Bangladesh requested the FAO Regional IPM Programme for further assistance to start up work on mass rearing and utilization of earwigs as a biological control agent particularly for insect pest problems associated with the production of various vegetable crops (e.g., beans) and sugarcane for which farmers use chemical pesticides excessively and thus create more field problems. For this reason, the Bangladesh Agricultural Research Institute (BARI) organized a National Workshop on Mass Rearing and Utilization of Earwigs as a Biological Control Agent on 20-22 April 2010 in Joydevpur, Bangladesh. The assistance comes as part of a Letter of Agreement (LoA) that DANIDA had issued to BARI in support of initiatives on vegetable IPM under the Agricultural Extension Component.
 The overall objective of the activity was to provide participants with information, education and training on principles and tools for biological control in order to assist them in the development of national strategies for sustainable development of local biological control programmes. In particular, the Workshop on Mass Rearing and Utilization of Earwigs as a Biological Control Agent was aimed at: (1) raising awareness on the potential use of earwig as pest predators and to provide hands-on training in the identification of earwig species, production and use (including the application of techniques in mass rearing and release of earwigs in the laboratory and field conditions) and on monitoring and evaluation of their effectiveness in the field; (2) identifying learning needs and to generate ideas for methodologies to train farmers on mass rearing and utilization of earwigs within the context of FFS and follow-up training activities; and (3) identifying opportunities and to develop models for private sector involvement in commercialization of earwig production.
 The workshop was attended by 23 participants representing Government (research institutions and the Department of Agriculture Extension), Universities, nongovernmental organizations, private sector, DANIDA and FAO. The main resource person came from the Biocontrol Group, Division of Pest Management, DoAE Thailand.Key activities included lectures and discussions; field work and hands-on exercises on mass rearing, releasing and monitoring earwigs; and visit to the laboratories of BARI and Ispahani Agro Limited, a private company producing biocontrol agents. At the end of the workshop, most of the participants had clear plans about the work that they would undertake relative to earwigs as a predator for insect pests in sugarcane and vegetables. A follow-up workshop with the same group of participants, after one season or later in the year, is planned to evaluate initial results of and design follow up activities.
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Vietnamese IPM farmers reap benefit from Minimum Tillage
Potatoes in Rice-based Farming Systems , Thai Binh,
Vietnam, 12 March 2010
 A few years ago, farmers in Thai Giang village, Thai Thuy district, Thai Binh province stopped growing potatoes because the crop was no longer profitable due to the high cost of labor requirements. The situation was made worse when the men started to find employment in the nearby capital, Thai Binh City, leaving the women behind to carry out the heavy land preparation work. However, for two years now, farmers in Thai Giang – even elderly women - have started to grow potatoes again and this time with an average increase of 30% in yields and 50% reduction in labor costs. This has been possible due to the application of minimum tillage potato production in rice-based farming systems.
 Mr. Bui Dinh Hau is one of the two male participants in a post-FFS group of 25 farmers. He was happy to report that the new system has led farmers to find use for rice straw - that is otherwise burned - in the production of potatoes and for recycling back into the soil to improve soil health. Income from growing 2 sao (0.70 hectares) of potato is enough to be able to buy a television set. With extra money from growing potatoes last year, 15 out of the 23 women in the group were able to buy television sets. After harvest this season, some are planning to buy gas stoves from their savings while others will save the money to send their children to university. The People’s Committee and the Cooperative are very proud of the IPM farmers’ accomplishment.
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ToT Field Day and Stakeholders’ Meeting of Pesticide Risk Reduction
Programme under One UN Plan-2 Held in Thai Binh,
Vietnam on 11 March 2010
 The Stakeholders’ Meeting for the One UN project “Capacity building and policy reform for pesticide risk reduction in Vietnam” (UNJP/VIE/041/UNJ) was held in Thai Binh, Vietnam on 11 March 2010. The meeting was attended by 32 participants comprised of Directors from 25 provincial Plant Protection Sub Departments, officials from the Plant Protection Department, the Hanoi Agriculture University and FAO. The event was organized to introduce the project to the various stakeholders and to elicit their commitment and support for implementation of activities and to achieve the goals of the project.
 The Field Day of the ongoing ToT supported by (UNJP/VIE/041/UNJ) was also held on 11 March. The ToT commenced on 1 December 2009. A total of 35 participants (16 female) from 11 provinces participated in the season-long course. The Field Day programme included: (1) a tour of the field studies being carried out in cabbage, tomato and potato where participants had set up various experiments on fertilizers, management methods, densities, varieties; (2) presentations on results of field studies and insect/disease zoos; (3) presentations on folk media developed by ToT participants; and (4) speeches from guests. The Field Day was attended by Directors of Plant Protection Sub Departments (PPSD) of 21 provinces, the FAO Representative and two members of the FAO Evaluation Team carrying out the Asia Regional Mission of the “Strategy Evaluation of FAO Country Programming, including the NMPTF Mechanism”. A high level of enthusiasm was noted among ToT participants and the presentations indicated that they had learned much from participation in the training course.
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Diadegma Semiclausum Continues to Do Its Work in Doi Angkhang
Chiangmai, Thailand, January 2010
Diamond Back Moth (Plutella xylostella) is a major  pest problem in brassica production in Thailand and elsewhere in the Asia region. The larva feeds on the lower surface of the leaf, sometimes leaving only the leaf veins and can cause serious damage especially to seedlings as well as disrupt head formation. Diadegma semiclausum is a larval parasitoid that provides very effective control of Diamond Back Moth (DBM). The adult female lays a single egg inside the larva of Diamond Back Moth on which it lives until pupation. In the process, the DBM dies and an adult Diadegma semiclausum emerges.
 The FAO Regional Vegetable IPM Programme supported the introduction of the parasitoid (Diadegma semiclausum) for population management of Diamond Back Moth (Plutella xylostella) in Royal Project Foundation (RPF) Doi Angkhang, Chiangmai in 2005. With assistance from CAB-Biosciences and the Malaysia Department of Agriculture, RPF and Thai Department of Agriculture (DoA) staff undertook a study tour to the Cameron Highlands in Malaysia and learned about rearing and field releases of the parasitoid. The move came as a response to the request from the Government of Thailand to address the outbreak of DBM in cabbage fields. Five years later, the parasitoid is still doing its work in the field with parasitization levels reportedly reaching 60% on average. Local contract farmers, who had previously used pesticides to control DBM, now rely on the parasitoids for provision of natural biological control. Whereas aphids and cabbage white butterfly (Pieris brassicae) could still reach damaging populations, these could generally be well regulated with neem and Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt) sprays. With pesticide residues no longer a marketing problem and farmers shifting towards organic production, the brassicas produced by RPF farmers are Q-GAP certified and marketed under the Doi Angkhang quality brand. In 2009, RPF applied for IFOAM organic certification. The cabbages are currently sold at RPF outlets, supermarkets like Makro as well as exported to Taiwan.
Field staff at RPF-Doi Angkhang are clearly excited with the results obtained from the FAO/DANIDA-IPM/DoA-assisted biological control work. RPF has maintained parasitoid rearing activities at basic level with own RPF resources. RPF staff had also organized parasitoid releases in other highland brassica production RPF-sites in Chiangmai (e.g. Doi Inthanon, Wiang Sae, Chiang Dao). This has clearly been a successful project, fully owned and sustained now by local RPF field staff and made possible through timely technical and financial support made available through FAO-RAP’s Regional Vegetable IPM Programme during the period 2005-2008.
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Regional Meeting on Community Education for Pesticide Risk Reduction
Guilin, Guangxi, China PR, 19-23 October 2009
 In consultation with the Pesticide Action Network-Asia Pacific and The Field Alliance, the FAO Regional IPM Programme in cooperation with the Guangxi Plant Protection Station and National Agro Technology Extension and Service Center (NATESC), Ministry of Agriculture, China PR organized a Regional Meeting on Community Education for Pesticide Risk Reduction from 19-23 October 2009 in Guilin, Guangxi, China PR. Some 40 participants from government, CSOs, resource persons and FAO staff particpated in this regional meeting.
The overall objectives of this meeting were: (1) to share highlights of accomplishments in the past years resulting from PRR farmer training and community education initiatives implemented under National IPM Programmes and awareness raising, health and  environmental education and advocacy work carried out by CSOs; (2) to strengthen regional networking on matters concerning IPM, Pesticide Risk Reduction and farmer/community education among nationals, partner organization representatives and FAO staff; and, (3) to assess needs, opportunities and strategies for continued regional and national collaboration for strengthened impact and sustainability of the Pesticide Risk Reduction Community Education initiatives.
The meeting agenda included presentations and discussions on: (1) activities implemented by National IPM Programmes and CSO partner organizations under the Swedish-funded PRR programme; (2) theme presentations and interest-group discussions on emerging issues (such as climate change and invasive pest species) and studies in support of advocacy and policy development for the PRR programme; and (3) field visits to Guangxi IPM field programmes. Country-level strategies and plans for collaboration between National IPM Programmes and partner local CSOs towards a programmatic approach to the design of community education programmes on PRR, similar to the model presented by Vietnam, were to be finalized upon participants’ return to their countries. The  meeting provided the forum to initiate exchange of ideas about studies in support of advocacy and policy development for the PRR programme. A regional workshop on Climate Change Impact on Crop Production and Protection and Adaptation Strategies has been proposed. Feedback on field visits to Guangxi IPM field programmes provided comments on how to improve the activities. A detailed report on the workshop will be prepared and will be available on CD as well as posted on the programme website soon.
The meeting was significant in bringing together GO and CSO partners in the Greater Mekong Subregion, in particular the Working Group on Community Education for Pesticide Risk Reduction, under the Swedish-supported project “Towards a Non-toxic Environment in Southeast Asia”. The meeting facilitated efforts to take stock of achievements in programme implementation from 2007-2009 and identify areas of future work to strengthen the impact and sustainability of community education programmes in view of the development of a 3-year Phase II extension (2010-13).
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Capacity Building and Policy Reform for Pesticide Risk Reduction in Vietnam Under One UN-2 Initiative
Vietnam, September 2009
Vietnam is one of two pilot countries in Asia selected by the UN for its “One UN” exercise. Under “One UN”, the work of 14 resident UN organizations in Viet Nam is integrated into a single planning and programme development framework to improve coordination and coherence, and help the UN in Viet Nam “Deliver as One”. Recently, within the context of the “One UN Plan 2”, FAO assisted MARD’s Plant Protection Department in the preparation of a proposal for support to “Capacity Building and Policy Reform for Pesticide Risk Reduction in Viet Nam”. The project will make available an additional $1.8M for three years (2009-11) to expand work on IPM and pesticide risk reduction and strengthen pesticide policies in Viet Nam under the context of the National Programme for Food Safety. The project builds on capacities and linkages/collaborations established during the implementation of FAO’s Regional IPM Programme’s assistance to the Vietnam National IPM Programme. The “One UN” initiative is seen as a way to expand and complement activities supported by FAO under the current Swedish-funded Pesticide Risk Reduction Programme.
One of the project’s aims is to reduce food safety and environmental risks through policy reform, capacity building and implementation of the Code of Conduct on the Distribution and Use of Pesticides and other conventions. The project will support community-based action research and advocacy activities in support of pesticide risk reduction and local commune council policy development. At national and provincial level, pesticide use surveys and impact assessment studies will be carried out. FAO will also assist in drafting of regulations and standards particularly to support the formulation of a new Plant Protection Law.
As of 21 October, FAO Rome has approved the project with the designation of operational and budget holder responsibilities to the FAO Representative in Hanoi. Implementation will commence as soon as approval from Vietnam’s Ministry of Planning and Investment is received. The FAO Representation in Hanoi will provide oversight to project implementation by the Plant Protection Department. The FAO Regional IPM Programme is expected to provide technical advice to the IPM project under the One UN initiative.
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APPPC Holds 26th Session in Delhi
31 August-4 September 2009
 The FAO Regional Office for Asia and the Pacific provides the Secretariat for the Asia and Pacific Plant Protection Commission (APPPC). The Commission, established in 1956, comprised of representatives from member countries in the region aims to improve regional cooperation and development in agriculture Sessions are held every bi-ennium. The twenty-sixth session of the APPPC was convened in New Delhi, India from 31 August to 4 September. 72 participants, comprised of Senior Government Officials and Experts, including representatives of 17 APPPC member countries, attended the meeting.
Key items in the 26th Session’s agenda included the adoption of APPPC Rules of Procedure and Financial Rules, which outlines mandatory member country financial contributions for the APPPC bi-ennium workplans, including contributions for IPM. One of two regional standards for phytosanitary measures (RSPMs) was adopted by the Session. The adoption of this Standard, focusing on management of South-American Leaf Blight (SALB) disease, enables all contracting governments to take a further step on acceptance of the substantial amendment of the regional plant protection Agreement in line with WTO-SPS Agreement. In addition to plenary sessions, the three Standing Committees of Plant Quarantine, IPM and Pesticides met and held group discussions. The IPM Standing Committee elected a new Chair (Dr. Jesse Binamira, Coordinator National IPM/ASEAN IPM Knowledge Network, DA, Philippines) as well as two Vice Chairs ( Dr. Yang Puyun, National IPM Deputy Coordinator, NATESC, China PR and Mr. V.K. Yadava, Director IPM, D-PPQS, India). The new Chair will coordinate the IPM Committee's program of work for the 2010-2011 period, which will include a Regional Workshop on IPM as integral part of Sustainable Intensification of Agricultural Production and initial work on assessments and risk mitigation of impact of climate change on crop protection and production. An active coordination role of the IPM Standing Committee with ASEAN and other potential partners for sustainable development of IPM and management of pest outbreaks is expected. Delegates to the meeting also gave short presentations and distributed copies of their respective country’s updated plant protection profile or country report containing general information on organization of plant protection functions; role of the national plant protection organization for the implementation of WTO-SPS rules and international pesticide conventions; and progress in national plant protection since 2007 as well as accomplishments in the areas of plant quarantine, surveillance, pest outbreaks and invasive species management, and pest and pesticide management. The APPPC Secretariat will publish a report of the 26th Session.
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Cambodia Study Tour to Thailand on
Organic Chilli Production and Marketing
Thailand, 25-29 August 2009
 The FAO Regional Vegetable IPM Programme in cooperation with the FAO project Enhancing Agricultural Competetiveness of Rural Households in the Greater Mekong Sub-region (GCP/RAS/217/IFA) organized a Study Tour to Thailand on Organic Chilli Production and Marketing from 25-29 August 2009. The activity aimed to: (1) prepare farmers’ groups from Kampong Cham, Cambodia for organic chilli production; and (2) provide new concepts on marketing and supply chain management, i.e., introduce the  model being used by a Thai export company, SWIFT to officials from the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry (MAFF) as to be able to provide support to farmers’ groups in the future. The ten study tour participants included government officials from Provincial Department of Agriculture, the General Directorate of Agriculture, farmers from Kampong Cham and staff members of the National IPM Programme.
The study tour programme included a visit to Swift Company in Nakorn Pathom for discussions about contract farming model, formation of farmers’ groups, and market  channels for Cambodian products. In Ratburi the group visited organic semi-processing operations of the Thai Organic Farm. In Sakeaw a visit was made to Tubtim Siam 02 Training Center to observe a demonstration on organic fertilizers, Swift’s asparagus collecting and grading station, and a demonstration on preparation of “effective micro-organisms” (EM) and organic repellents products. After the study tour, activities jointly supported by the National IPM Programme and the IFAD-project will commence. Expected project outcomes include increased farmer incomes through adoption of better practices to increase productivity, improve quality and empower producers through group cooperation and training in entrepreneurial skills.
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Vietnam’s PPD Holds National Workshops on Strengthening the National Food Safety Programme through Pesticide Risk Reduction and Safe Vegetable Production
Vietnam, 31 July 2009
 The IPM Unit and the Inspection Unit of the Plant Protection Division under the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development (MARD) jointly facilitated two National Workshops on Strengthening the National Food Safety Programme. The workshop for northern provinces was held in Thai Binh on 21 July and for central and southern provinces in Lam Dong on 31 July . Participants included leaders from provincial Departments of Agriculture and Rural Development (DARD), Plant Protection Sub Departments (PPSD), Departments of Crop Production (DCP), Departments of Food Safety (DFS), representatives from Commune People’s Committees and Cooperatives and farmers.
The FAO-supported Community Education Programme on Pesticide Risk Reduction was highlighted in both workshops in presentations delivered by the National IPM Programme Coordinator, the Chief of Dang Xa Cooperative (Hanoi) and the Chairman of Thai Giang People’s Committee (Thai Binh). Presentations were also given on the current pesticide management situation in Hanoi and Thai Binh provinces. Participants expressed interest in the Community Education Programmes on PRR and planned to develop proposals for strengthening pesticide management and safe vegetables in their respective provinces.
 In his concluding remarks, the Director General of the Plant Protection Department, Mr. Nguyen Quang Minh, mentioned the need to: (1) restore the short list of pesticides for vegetable for MARD’s approval; (2) develop a training manual on pesticide management regulations and safe vegetables/GAP for community leaders and other stakeholders; (3) strengthen dissemination of information to raise awareness on pesticide management regulations and safe vegetables/GAP in communes; (4) strengthen linkages with international organizations and NGOs for support to activities on pesticide management and food safety; (5) implement measures, such as the use of test kits, for checking pesticide residues on vegetables; (6) carry out surveys at commune level on the current situation of pesticide management and vegetable production; and finally, (7) expand the implementation of Community Education Programmes (including farmer training) on Pesticide Risk Reduction and Safe Vegetable Production in compliance with VietGAP/GAP.
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Cambodia National IPM Programme Collaboration with FAO GCP/RAS/217/IFA on Organic Chilli Production and Marketing
Cambodia, 7 July 2009
 The Regional Coordinator of the IFAD-funded project on “Enhancing Agricultural Competitiveness of Rural Households in Greater Mekong Subregion” visited Phnom Penh during the period 7-10 July 2009. Meetings were held with government officials from the General Directorate of Agriculture (GDA) and with Provincial Department of Agriculture (PDA) officials in Kampong Cham. Several groups of chilli-growing farmers and two traders were also met and visits to chilli fields in Kampong Cham province were made. The activities were carried out to explore synergies between farmer training work on IPM and pesticide risk reduction being implemented by the Vegetable IPM Programme and collaborative work on improving livelihoods, income and agricultural competitiveness of rural households in the context of  regional (Greater Mekong Sub-region) integration under the IFAD project. Rokarthom village, Chiror I commune, Tbong Khmum district in Kampong Cham province has been identified as the pilot area for the proposed collaborative work. In this context, the IFAD-supported project will: (1) introduce new/improved production, handling and processing technologies for important poor rural households commodities --- in this case, organic chilli; (2) make commodity chains more rewarding for poor producers by promoting balanced partnerships between buyers and producers; and (3) facilitate expanded trade - of chilli -for small producers within neighboring countries of Cambodia, Laos and Myanmar by explorinig new ways to assess market demand and address trade constraints.
 In the selected pilot area, 101 farmers are involved in chilli production. There farmers only started growing the crop last season. There is a huge potential to improve chilli production and the farmers demonstrated a keen interest to learn. Farmers do not use chemical fertilizers and pesticides. The entry point for the IPM Programme will not be reduction of pesticide use but to provide farmers with skills for better production for better income and marketing. The initial field visit and meetings will be followed by a Study Tour to Thailand now planned for the period 25-30 August for selected farmers, trader, and government staff. Purpose of this study tour will be to learn about organic chilli production, preparation of organic fertilizer and biopesticides, pre- and post-harvest treatment for chillies, farm management, certification processes and contract farming agreements. Among others, the collaboration between the National IPM Programme and the IFAD-project expects to increase farmer incomes through adoption of better practices to increase productivity, improve quality or add produce value among producers, transporters and processors and empower producers through group cooperation and training in entrepreneurial skills.
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