RATES
Review of AFACI-RATES project interventions in Laos (15-18 November 2024)
AFACI-RATES project in Laos (2023-2025) aims to improve agricultural extension and capacity building of extension staff. The project led by the National Agriculture and Forestry Research Institute (NAFRI) is implemented in collaboration with the District Agriculture and Forestry Office (DAFO). GFRAS/APIRAS is supporting the project implementation and as part of this support, Dr Rasheed Sulaiman V, participated in a review of field implementation of the project in Luangphabang, Xaythany, Hadxyfong and Vientiane during 15-18 November. The project is strengthening capacities of select farmer entrepreneurs to provide extension support to farmers through farmer-to farmer extension approach. These farmer entrepreneurs are supported to establish community learning centres in their farms to training other farmers on Artificial Insemination in cattle and vegetable seed production etc. To strengthen vegetable value chain and promote Good Agricultural Practices (GAP) in vegetables, the project has partnered with AgriLao, a company that procures quality vegetables to supply other business such as hotels (B2B). The company has a mobile app named AgriLao. The project has also started working with agricultural cooperative such as Thongmang Organic Agriculture Cooperatives to help them link with AgriLao. Rasheed also met with Mr Souvanthong Lamvong, Deputy Director Deputy Director for the Department of Agriculture and Extension (DAEC) at the Laos-PDR Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry who is also the Chair of the APIRAS Steering Committee. Special thanks to Dr Phonevilay Sinavong (PI of the Project), Ms Lammone Khamphone, Ms Saetmany Phomphackdee and other team members for all the support..
AFACI Project Evaluation Workshop, August 26-30, 2024, in Hanoi, Vietnam
The "Improvement of Rural Agricultural Technology Extension Systems in Asia (RATES)" project has taken centre stage from August 26-30, 2024, in Hanoi, Vietnam. Supported by the Rural Development Administration, Korea, and implemented by AFACI in collaboration with GFRAS and APIRAS, this initiative spans 12 Asian countries.
This workshop, hosted by the Vietnam Academy of Agricultural Sciences (VAAS), is a vital platform for sharing insights and enhancing rural advisory services. Our Global Forum for Rural Advisory Services (GFRAS)/APIRAS team, represented by Rasheed Sulaiman V and Siti Amanah, is proud to contribute through technical backstopping, knowledge management, and facilitating lesson learning..
Field Visits at Ampara, Sri Lanka (8-11 July 2024)
As part of the implementation support to the AFACI funded RATES (Improvement of Rural Agricultural Technology Extension System in Asia) project in Sri Lanka, visited project locations in Namalthalawa agrarian services division in Ampara District. Ampara produces almost a quarter of Sri Lanka’s paddy production. The project through the Department of Agriculture (DoA) is trying to introduce new technologies in paddy cultivation (eg: seedling broadcasting and machine transplanting); in maize cultivation (eg: ridge and furrow method of planting); grow bag cultivation of chilli and IPM in both paddy and vegetables mainly through demonstrations and use of social media (mainly forming Whatsapp groups of farmers to improve dissemination of new technologies). With the AFACI support, the project upgraded the training facilities at the Namalthalawa training centre for e-extension.
Two extension specialists from the Rural Development Administration (RDA), Korea, Kin Chang-Soo and Roh Sug-won also participated in this visit. The Extension Team at Ampara, led by K A K S Lakmal (Deputy Director, DoA, Ampara) and W Samantha Kumara (Assistant Director, DoA) are implementing the project interventions. Our special thanks to H M S P Herath (Additional Director General, Development) and Nishantha Arunathulaka (Additional Director, Agribusiness) for organizing this visit, accompanying the team and providing all assistance. The project has another 18 months to complete all the activities. AFACI-RATES project is implemented in 12 counrries in Asia.
