NEWS 2018

The Far East Regional Office of AARDO (FERO) Delegation visited AARDO Secretariat

24 December 2018

A two-member delegation comprising Ms. Kristy (Sung-hee) Seo, Manager and Ms. Lena Kim, Assistant Manager, Regional Office of AARDO for the Far East, Republic of Korea, called on the Secretary General on 24 December 2018 for discussions on various important matters. The meeting was also attended by Assistant Secretary General and senior officers of the AARDO Secretariat. The delegation was extended a warm welcome and pleasantries exchanged.

The meeting had a wide range of discussions on further strengthening the existing cordial relationship between AARDO and the FERO, including organisation of training programmes in Republic of Korea for the benefit of AARDO-sponsored nominees, how AARDO and the Government of the Republic of Korea could assist some member countries of AARDO through the organisation of need-based capacity building programmes and development projects.

The Secretary General visited Bangladesh

18 - 19 December 2018

At the kind invitation from the esteemed University of Dhaka, Bangladesh, H.E. Eng. Wassfi Hassan El-Sreihin, Secretary General, AARDO paid a visit to Bangladesh to attend the "5th International Integrative Research Conference on Governance and Modernization", held at Bangladesh Academy for Rural Development (BARD), Comilla on 18 - 19 December 2018. He presented a Keynote Paper on "Agriculture and Rural Development in African - Asian Countries with Special Reference to Governance and Modernization in Changing Environment: AARDO's Experiences".

The Conference was jointly organized by the Netinsearch International Network for Integrative Research, University of Dhaka, Stamford University Bangladesh, Asian Conference on Population and Development (ACPD) China, GAIN International and BARD. The Conference primarily laid focus on issues like governance, public policy, leadership, innovation and change, environment, energy, climate change, disaster management, women empowerment, information technology, tourism, eco-tourism, etc.

While at BARD, the Secretary General met with the Director General and faculty of BARD and discussed matters of common concern with them. In Dhaka, the Secretary Genera visited the Headquarters of Bangladesh Rural Development Board (BRDB) and met with its Director General. A meeting was arranged in the Conference Hall with the Directors, and other senior officials of BRDB, and also heads of prominent associations & cooperatives in the country.

International Training Programme on “Agricultural Engineering Technologies for Enhancing Productivity & Profitability in Agricultural Sector”

27 November - 11 December 2018

The above titled training programme was organized by AARDO, in collaboration with the Ministry of Rural Development, Government of India, at Central Institute of Agricultural Engineering (CIAE), Bhopal, Madhya Pradesh, during 27 November - 11 December 2018.

The Inaugural Session of the programme was held on 27 November 2018 under the chairmanship of Dr. K.K. Singh, Director, CIAE. It was attended by 09 participants from AARDO member/ countries, namely, Republic of China (Taiwan), Egypt, Oman, Sri Lanka, Sudan (Agriculture Bank of Sudan) and Syria.

The closing ceremony of the programme was held on 10th December 2018 and graced by H.E. Eng. Wassfi Hassan El-Sreihin, Secretary General, AARDO and Dr. K.K. Singh, Director, CIAE. The dignitaries delivered their closing addresses and distributed the certificates of participation to the participants. Earlier, the participants shared their experiences on training and expressed that they could gather a lot of new information which would prove very important for rural development in their respective countries. They also expressed that getting to know geographical and social framework of central India and relishing local cuisine has been a memorable experience for them. On this occasion, the Course Coordinator, Dr. Nachiket Kotwaliwale presented a detailed report on the proceedings of 14-days training and Dr. KP Singh and Dr. SK Chakraborty presented vote of thanks to the sponsors, participants, training faculty and all the dignitaries.

The Secretary General Visits The Gambia

26 to 28 November 2018

At the kind invitation of the Ministry of Lands and Regional Government, Government of the Republic of the Gambia, H.E. Eng. Wassfi Hassan El-Sreihin, Secretary General, AARDO has paid a visit to The Gambia from 26 to 28 November 2018 to discuss matters of mutual interest.

Accompanied by Her Excellency Ms. Jainaba Jagne, the High Commissioner of the Republic of the Gambia to India, New Delhi, the Secretary General paid a courtesy call on H.E. Mr. Alh Musa Drammeh, Minister of Land & Regional Government, and had constructive discussions on issues of common interest between AARDO and The Gambia. The Hon'ble Permanent Secretary and senior officials of the esteemed Ministry were present in the meeting. The Secretary General apprised the Hon'ble Minister of the activities and programmes of AARDO and urged the esteemed Government to derive benefits from AARDO's different programmes such as capacity building, development pilot projects, study visits, ministerial level visits, deputation of experts, etc. At the end of the meeting, the Secretary General presented a set of AARDO publications to the Hon'ble Minister.

The Secretary General paid a courtesy call on H.E. Dr. Mamadou Tangara, Minister of Foreign Affairs, International Cooperation & Gambians Abroad and held discussions on matters of mutual interest. He also apprised Hon'ble Minister of the activities and programmes of AARDO, besides discussing matters of common concerns. The Secretary General has had the opportunity to meet His Excellency Mr.Lamin N. Dibba, Minister of Agriculture to apprise him about the AARDO's role in promoting agriculture and rural development among African-Asian member countries.

While in Banjul, the Secretary General also had a meeting with Mr. Ansumana K. Jarju, Director General, National Agricultural Research Institute (NARI) in the gracious presence of Her Excellency the High Commissioner of the Republic of the Gambia to India and the Deputy Director General and explored the possibility of collaboration between AARDO and the NARI in the future. He also met Dr. Bamba A. M. Banja, Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Fisheries, Water Resources and National Assembly Matters and discussed with him, among others, possibilities of further strengthening fisheries sector in the AARDO member countries.

Study Visit Programme of Experts to Republic of China (Taiwan)

28 October – 03 November 2018

The organization of the study visit in the field of agriculture and rural development is one of the important activities of AARDO. AARDO, in collaboration with the Council of Agriculture, Executive Yuan, Government of Republic of China (Taiwan), organized a specialized study visit on "Agribusiness and Value Chain Management" in Republic of China (Taiwan), on 28 October – 03 November 2018 with the objectives: i) to study the policies, best practices and application of new technologies used for sustainable agriculture and rural development; ii) to study the models of small and medium on Farm and off Farm agro-based enterprises; iii) to examine the marketing and value chain management system; and iv) to explore the possibilities to adapt and implement such policies and technologies, wherever possible.

Under the programme, six (06) participants from AARDO member countries, namely, Bangladesh, India, Jordan, Sri Lanka and Sudan attended the programme. Besides, a senior AARDO official attended the programme. The study visit programme involved plenary sessions and field visits to research institutions, as well as enterprises, with successful processing and marketing strategies, in different areas of agriculture. This helped in acquainting the participants with various technologies used in food processing and marketing of agricultural products in R.O. China (Taiwan).

During their stay, the participants were visited the number of Institutions/ projects such as Council of Agriculture (COA), Executive Yuan; Baoshan Township Xincheng Community and Wind Sugar Company; Hsinpu Township Farmer's Association; Adan Fruit and Vegetable Production Cooperatives; Leadray Livestock Company; Mushroom Farm; Nantou County Puli Township Yihsin Community and Enterprises; and Huei-Shiang Organic Farm.

According to the feedback received from the delegates, the study visit was very enlightening and educative and its objectives were achieved fully. The programme was well balanced both in material content and course schedule. It provided an insight into the latest advances in Agribusiness and Value Chain Management of fresh horticultural produce, as well as processed products of Mushroom, Bamboo shoots, Oranges, along with Poultry and Sugarcane.

The Council of Agriculture, Government of the Republic of China (Taiwan) has started a Rural Regeneration Programme in order to retain rural youth in villages and transforming rural areas of the country. Taiwan has succeeded in establishing a well-organized food processing and marketing sector. The lessons learnt are very important pointers on how AARDO member countries can grow their food processing and value chain for agricultural produce of the small farmers.

The study visit ended by a closing ceremony at the Council of Agriculture (COA), Taipei during which participants shared their experiences from the study tour. It was graced by Hon'ble Deputy Director General Mr. Vincent Lin, Department of International Affairs, Council of Agriculture (COA), Executive Yuan. After the discussion and feedback, certificates were distributed to the participants by Hon'ble Deputy Director General and Dr. Khushnood Ali, Head, Research Division & Programme Coordinator, AARDO.

Follow-up Workshop on AARDO-KOICA Joint Training Programme on "Sustainable Agricultural and Rural Development (SARD)

29-30 October 2018

AARDO and Korea International Cooperation Agency (KOICA) jointly organised a country specific training programme on "Sustainable Agricultural and Rural Development (SARD) for exclusive participation of senior officials of the Government of India at Rural Community - International Education and Exchange Centre (RC-IEEC), R O Korea consecutively in 2017 and 2018

Following the successful completion of these two programmes, AARDO, KOICA and RC-IEEC jointly organized a "Follow-up Workshop" at New Delhi during 29-30 October 2018 for the participants who attended the training in R.O. Korea, with a view to evaluate the impact of the programmes, and identify the potential areas for interventions in the fields of agriculture and rural development and strengthening cooperation.The inaugural session of the Follow-up Workshop held on 29th October 2018, was graced by Hon'ble Mr. Amarjeet Sinha, Secretary, Ministry of Rural Development, Government of India as Chief Guest, Mr. LEE Hai-kwang, Minister, Embassy of the Republic of Korea and Guest of Honour, and His Excellency Eng Wassfi Hassan Elsreihin, Secretary General, AARDO. The Secretary General extended a warm welcome to the guests and thanked the distinguished delegates from R O Korea, resource persons and participants who had specially come to evaluate the impact of the SARD training programmes in the follow-up workshop and explore areas of cooperation and intervention in the fields of agriculture and rural development. He further extended his sincere gratitude and profound thanks to both the esteemed Governments of India and R O Korea for their unstinted support to AARDO in achieving its noble objectives over the years.

Following the welcome address, Mr. LEE Hai-kwang, Minister, Embassy of the Republic of Korea, and Guest of Honour, in his remarks, mentioned that, being part of the official assistance programme of the Government of Korea through KOICA, the follow-up workshop was conducive and significant to further strengthen Korean relationship with India. He appreciated AARDO and KOICA for organizing the follow-up workshop and sincerely hoped that it would be very productive for sustainable development in rural areas.

The Hon'ble Secretary and Chief Guest, in his inaugural address, mentioned that AARDO provides a platform for learning experiences and skills across nations, especially the developing world, which otherwise may not have been possible. He extended a warm welcome to the Korean delegation for their partnership with developing nations thus promoting sustainable, equitable and inclusive growth. The Hon'ble Secretary briefly touched upon some of the schemes launched by the Government of India to alleviate poverty. He also hailed the role of women in accelerating economic growth of India with their greater economic participation. The Hon'ble Secretary thanked AARDO for inviting him to grace the follow-up workshop as its Chief Guest. He also thanked KOICA and the AARDO Secretariat for organizing the workshop.

The inaugural session was attended by a delegation of distinguished experts from Yeungnam University, National Seoul University, and Kyung Hee University, officials from KRC-IEEC and International Exchange Promotion Association (INEPA), R O Korea; experts from National Institute of Agricultural Marketing (NIAM), distinguished participants of the SARD programmes, invitees and officials from AARDO Secretariat and the Ministry of Rural Development, Government of India.

It was followed by business sessions, which consisted of presentations by RC-IEEC and AARDO on brief introductions of their respective organizations, the SARD training programme and its evaluation. The session also consisted of the presentations by distinguished participants on action plans implemented in their respective states. The evaluation report presented by AARDO, based on feedback of the participant, highlighted their learning from the training programmes and respective experiences through implementation of action plans.

The second day of the workshop, 30th October 2018, was dedicated to the lectures by the distinguished experts from R O Korea and India. The workshop provided a forum for fruitful deliberations and successfully concluded with a set of recommendations for interventions in some specific areas through capacity building, transfer of technology, project implementations, research and institutional networking in the areas of agricultural and rural development.

The Secretary General Visits Pakistan

10-13 October 2018

At the kind invitation of Mr. Israr Mohammad Khan, Director General, AHK National Centre for Rural Development (AHK NCRD), & Honorary Regional Representative of AARDO for South and Central Asia, Islamabad, Pakistan, H.E. Eng. Wassfi Hassan El-Sreihin, Secretary General, AARDO paid a visit to Pakistan from 10 to 13 October 2018 to grace the inaugural session of the Regional Workshop on "Disaster Risk Reduction and Management", held at AHKNCRD from 10 to 17 October 2018. The Regional Workshop was inaugurated by Lt. General Omar Mahmood Hayat, Hon'ble Chairman, National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA), Islamabad, on 11 October 2018.

During the visit, the Secretary General had a meeting with Director General, AHK NCRD and discussed matters of mutual interest, including further strengthening of the regional office. He called on Dr. Ijaz Munir, Hon'ble Secretary, Establishment Division, Government of the Islamic Republic of Pakistan, and discussed issues of common concern. Dr. Muhammad Azeem Khan, Member, Food Security, Ministry of Climate Change, Government of Pakistan called on the Secretary General at the AHK-NCRD office and discussed matters of mutual interest.

The Secretary General utilized his presence in Pakistan to meet with Dr. Tariq Banuri, Chairman, Higher Education Commission (HEC), Islamabad and held discussions on issues of common interest. He also visited Dr. Muhammad Amjad Saqib, Executive Director/Founder, Akhuwat Foundation, in his office and explained about AARDO, its objectives and activities. Dr. Saqib also explained about the Foundation and its activities for the benefit of the poor in the country and possibility of cooperation between the two organizations. While in the country, the Secretary General met with many high dignitaries of the Government of Pakistan and diplomats and held discussions on matters of common interest.