Progress Report: Biotechnology/ Biosafety and Bioenergy Initiative at 8th Meeting of the Working Group on Agriculture (WGA-8) g ( ) (25-26

October 2011, Cambodia)

Ms. Shashi Sareen Senior Food Safety & Nutrition OfficerFAO Regional Office for the Asia & the Pacific E-mail: shashi.sareen@fao.org

Components C t
Component 1: Regional strategic
framework and action plan f f k d ti l for biotechnology & biosafety in the GMS

Component 3: Bioenergy &

renewable energy for rural development & poverty reduction
Accelerating the Implementation of the Core Agriculture Support Program (CASP) (RETA6521), Component 1 and 3

Biotechnology & Biosafety gy y

Component 1 of Accelerating Implementation of CASP CASP (RETA 6521) Expected Outputs:
1) Standardized and effective safety measures implemented 2) Internal & external trade in agricultural commodities & value-added agricultural products complies with international standards 3) Potential of carbon sequestration & possible carbon credit scheme identified & recommended

Implementation in collaboration with parallel projects:

Enhancing food safety by strengthening food inspection systems in ASEAN countries (GCP/RAS/222/JPN) CB in food safety in selected ASEAN countries (GCP/RAS/223/JPN) Area wide Area-wide integrated pest management of fruit flies in Southeast Asian countries (GCP/RAS/268/AIT)

Standardized & safety measures implemented Food Chain approach

Food safety hazards may arise at different stages of food supply Shift from end-product inspection & testing to building safety & quality throughout the food chain A preventative approach b A t ti h based d on risk rather than reactive approach application of GP & pp pp HACCP Food control both public & private level moved to a food chain approach: responsibility for food safety from processor to all actors in the chain govt enabler

Implementation of f d safety measures I l i f food f

Activity 1.1 - Case stud es add ess g b osecu ty & food ct ty studies addressing biosecurity ood safety issues thought supply chain identified & prepared (in collaboration with GCP/RAS222/JPN) Group inspection & certification for small farmers: Gap in p Thailand SALM Inspection & certification scheme of Malaysia

Current Progress - Output 1:

Implementation of food safety measures

Activity 1.2 - Documentation of case studies on QGAP / organic accreditation systems & farmers training programmes in Thailand C Case studies h t di have b been developed St k h ld Stakeholders consultation lt ti session on 25 Aug 2011 in Thailand (>40 participants) Recommendations for Royal Government of Thailand

Current Progress - Output 1: g p

Recommendations for Government

QGAP of DOA to be mandatory and basic for Food Safety in Thailand. Thaigap may be voluntary. A individual certification expensive, G As i di id l tifi ti i Government may support t t One village- One certification program. Also Government to encourage group certification by farmer cooperatives community. Accreditation body in public sector & inspection/certification in private sector. Govt to focus on validation, training & registering auditors; educating farmers & consumers Food safety imp role of government. MoA certifying QGAP, but pesticide residues still high liability of the government for products high. emanating from QGAP system. Government to validate system. Coordination b/w government agencies important. MoPH wants GAP/ organic f&v for critical sectors (hospitals). MOPH annually tests >500 000 samples. inter department committee MOAC to expedite negotiation of equivalence of its standards and accreditation/ certification systems with the importing countries.

Recommendations for the International Organization/ Donors

FAO/ ADB/ others to provide supervision/trg/funding support :
TOT progs for improving inspection & monitoring capacity internal audit. Develop simple programmes for farmers on GAP implementation & for certification bodies on auditing auditing. Establishing model pilots in dedicated area for GAP certified products - Chiang Mai/ Karnchanaburi/ Mae Sod - provinces grow vegs & are suitable for pesticide free & biological control Study on economic aspects namely cost of certification vs economic benefits Thailand may be promoted as Hub for AEC (ASEAN Economic Communities). Communities) Development & implementation of training material as per QGAP for implementing in GMS countries - benefit Food Safety Supply Chain in this area (ASEAN countries)

Steps to strengthen GAP implementation in GMS countries

The countries ready for GAP certification should enable/ support farmers to form clusters so that a group approach implemented Regional cooperation for providing training & technical support. TOT progs for GMS countries esp on g p certification schemes p g p group National GAP programme harmonized with ASEANGAP. Some arrangements worked out so that AB & CB for GMS countries could work across borders. Resources & experiences of each member country shared to promote trust b/w accreditation & certification of other countries. Countries may consider making GAP standards mandatory in GMS countries to enhance competitiveness in the world market. g g p g FAO to bring out a training material on GAP implementation aligned to ASEANGAP, also on certification & accreditation based on Thai & other country experiences

Organic certification & accreditation recommendations : 1

Promote/ support production groups for implementation & g certification pp g g production inputs for entire p Support organic agriculture p supply chain & not only production support R&D activities especially on organic fertilizers & pesticides/ biological control measures/ food product devt & take up at international levels p Establishment of organic agriculture farmers school Setting up funding schemes for farmers during transition period (conversion of conventional to organic farming) D Develop scheme f registration of assessors/ i l h for i t ti f / inspectors t

Organic certification & accreditation recommendations : 2

Trainings to farmers on organic agriculture, group certification, etc; trainings to inspectors/ assessors; trainings to extension workers Studies on specifically areas such as transition period necessary for farms in specific country situations & collect supporting d t b ti data based on which need t work on d hi h d to k equivalence concept E bli h A i standard to i l d 14 countries (ASEAN Establish Asian d d include i (ASEAN, India, China, Korea) and work towards equivalence with importing countries Recommendations for the International Organization/ DonorsDonors Funding & technical support for certification, certification specific R&D needs

Implementation of f d safety measures I l i f food f A ti it 1.3 - R i Activity 1 3 Regional Workshop on promoting lW k h ti food safety in GMS countries
This activity will be implemented in early 2012

Current Progress - Output 1:

Activity 1.4 - Development of distance learning y p g material and programmes on food safety
A Training Manual on Horticultural Chain has been p g published by y FAO. 30 individuals from GMS countries were trained in a regional training programme on Horticultural Chain Management. Ppt presentations corresponding to the training manual were translated into the local languages of Cambodia, Laos, Myanmar & Vietnam. A training manual on implementation of ASEANGAP including certification & accreditation is under preparation

Internal & external trade in agri commodities & value added agri products complies with international standards
Activity 2.1 WS on investment strategies for regional cooperation in y g g p organic biosecurity & food safety in GMS Activity 2.2 - Compilation of inventory studies on newly emerging pest & disease threats Activity 2.3 - Technical consultation on Ecological Management and Biological Control of Cassava Pink mealy bug Activity 2 4 Action A ti it 2.4 - A ti research activities h ti iti Activity 2.5 Development of awareness rising & training materials for p prevention of spread of p p pest & disease Activity 2.6 Local & national WSs presenting results of action research activities & awareness raising/ training materials including eg programs training p g Activity 2.7 Regional end-of-project WS presenting results of project activities supported in the various countries Activity 2 8 Publication f A ti it 2.8 P bli ti of reports, t i i / t training/awareness raising i i materials etc on FAO-IPM website

Activities Output 2:

GCP/RAS/253/ASB Activity Set 2.2-2-8 ct ty 8

Technical assistance for capacity building for prevention and management of invasive plant p g p pests & diseases in the GMS
Key activities:

Technical support for Fruit Fly IPM pp y Inception Workshop (AIT, Bangkok, September 2010) & Regional Training (Tien Giang, Vietnam, Dec. 2010) Formulation regional TCP on Spread, Prevention and Management of Cassava Pi k M l b C Pink Mealybug; operational ti l since Feb. 2011, Inception Workshop (Bangkok, Thailand, 31 May-02 June 2011), Regional Parasitoid Rearing Training (Chonburi, July 2011) Formulation TCP on spread prevention and management of Weligama Leaf Wilt in coconut

GCP/RAS/253/ASB Activity Set 2.2-2-8 ct ty 8

Technical assistance for capacity building for prevention and management of invasive plant p g p pests & diseases in the GMS Implementation Challenges and Action Taken: With the delayed endorsement of the Myanmar Government of its intention to participate in the FAO-RAP supported work y g g (project on area-wide fruit fly Integrated Pest Management (p j GCP/RAS/268/AIT), funding (US$ 15,000) set aside under project GCP/RAS/253/ASB to allow Myanmar to participate in area-wide fruit fly IPM field work has not been disbursed to date. FAO will follow up with Myanmar Government on their intentions to still participate in this regional project & decide accordingly on (re-) allocation of resources. Otherwise, no major implementation problems/challenges with regards to this set of activities.

GCP/RAS/253/ASB Activity Set 2.2-2-8 ct ty 8

Technical assistance for capacity building for prevention and management of invasive plant p g p pests & diseases in the GMS
Workplans:

Continued tracking of spread of invasive pest & diseases thro GIS thro Regional Curriculum Development Workshop for mini-TOTs & Farmers Field Schools on Cassava Pink Mealybug Management y g g (Houaybong, Nakhon Ratchasima, Thailand, 21-25 Nov 2011) In-country action research & training activities aimed at spread prevention & management of invasive pest species in GMS; Various training materials (posters, training manuals, brochures) to be developed & di t ib t d t extension workers & f b d l d distributed to t i k farmers. E-versions of training materials & regular news releases are /& will be- regularly posted on the FAO-IPM project website: www.vegetableipmasia.org

Carbon s C b sequestration & Carbon credit scheme st ti C b dit s h

Activity 3.1 - Case studies on production of compost & its use & potential for soil carbon sequestration implemented Case studies & assessments of the current
situation & potentials of soil carbon sequestration through composting p q g p g & its potential credit scheme for small holder farmers in the GMS countries completed & final report submitted in February 2011.

Current Progress Output 3:

Activity 3 2 - Potential implementing partners for case 3.2 studies on carbon credit schemes
a)Final, completed University of Edinburgh case study report on the G Greenhouse-Gas Reduction Potential of Chemical Fertilizer G fC Replacement with Bio-slurry in Vietnam submitted. b) Texas Agrilife Research has submitted draft findings of regional bio-slurry bio slurry capacity assessment & draft report/materials (15/9/2011)

Activity 3.3 Development of distance learning materials and programmes - Training WS manual on
composting & carbon market prepared

Component 3
Bioenergy & renewable energy for rural development & poverty reduction in the GMS
CASP Planned Activities: 1. Designing conceptual framework for integration of policies 2. Best practice case studies 3. Country workshops 3 in target GMS countries 4. 4 National Plans of Action 5. Regional workshop findings of case studies & deliberations of national WS studies 6. Regional information sharing

Component 3 - Progress
Outputs: Conceptual framework short term study to pilot conceptual framework for analysing links b/w Bioenergy & Food Security (BEFS) www.fao.org BEFS piloted in Thailand 5 GMS country workshops C b di L t k h Cambodia, Laos, M Myanmar, Thailand, VN outcome is National POA for rural bioenergy & renewable energy devt/ case studies 4 national bioenergy & renewable energy activity databases 5 GMS country publications highlighting areas for action

Targeting gaps on food security & small scale

Component 3 - Progress p g
Bioenergy Policy Dialogues:
June 2010 (bioenergy & FS) February 2011 (regional partners meet promoting climate f i dl bi ti li t friendly bioenergy & FS i in GMS June 2011 (Regional sustainable bioenergy symposium & regional bioenergy policy dialogue
Participants from nine countries Partner organizations Training on FAO BEFS methodology Information sharing Policy analysis & comparison

Regional Information Sharing

Component 3 - F t C t Future Work W k

Sustainable Bioenergy Publication
Challenges in replicating small

scale bioenergy projects Opportunities for biochar Bioslurry Wood briquettes industry q y Challenges to financing bioenergy in Lao PDR & Vietnam

FAO expanding regional p g p g g program on BEFS in 2012

Budget g
Budget (Component 1): $ 603,784
ADB: $ 369,284 (released: 129 500/-) FAO: $ 234 500 (cash: 104 500/-; kind 130 000/-) 234,500 500/ ; 000/ )
Enhancing food safety by strengthening food inspection systems in ASEAN countries (GCP/RAS/222/JPN) Capacity building in food safety in selected ASEAN countries (GCP/RAS/223/JPN) Pesticide risk reduction in Southeast Asia (GCP/RAS/3229/SWE) In-kind (professional officers staff time, associated clerical support & miscellaneous cost etc t i ll t t

Budget g Budget (Component 3): $ 551,998 g ( p )

FAO: BEFS Thailand - $202,250; TCP/RAS/3202D - $349 49 $349,749
Original FAO allocation for CASP Component 3 - $278,200 FAO additional spend $273 798 $273,798 All funds spent or fully committed

Thank You