News 2021

AARDO-EICA Online Regional Workshop on “Women’s Empowerment through Small Projects: Experiences of AARDO’s Arab Member Countries”

19 - 23 December 2021

Women’s empowerment and improvement of their socio-economic status are ultimately linked to the achievement of gender equality, which is one of the high priorities of the United Nation and all countries. Accordingly, women’s empowerment forms an integral part of the national developmental agenda of most of AARDO member countries. Moreover, it is proven that many small projects, economic activities operated by women empower them economically, socially and uplift their lives and that of their families.

Considering the importance of the subject, AARDO, through its Regional Office for North and Eastern Africa and in collaboration with the Egyptian International Centre for Agriculture (EICA), Cairo, Arab Republic of Egypt, organized an online regional workshop titled “Women Empowerment through Small Projects: Experiences of AARDO’s Arab Member Counties” during 19-23 December 2021, exclusively for the Arab speaking member countries. The broad objectives of the programme were to discuss: Maximizing the role of Government institutions and policies in the economic empowerment of women; Introducing some innovative income-generating projects; Marketing methods for small projects/businesses or Value Chain Management.

The workshop was attended by sixty eight (68) participants from seven (7) AARDO members, namely, Iraq, Oman, Sudan, ABS-Sudan, Tunisia and the host country-Egypt and (1) international organization, namely, Arab Organization for Agricultural Development (AOAD), Sudan.

The opening session of the workshop was held on 19 December 2021 with welcoming remarks by Mr. Mohamed Hassan Rashwan, Honorary Regional Representative of AARDO for North & Eastern Africa, followed by the opening address of H.E. Dr. Manoj Nardeosingh, Secretary-General, AARDO, which was read out by Mr. Mohammad Naimuddin, Translation Officer (Arabic) & Coordinator of the program from AARDO, and Prof. Dr. Hani Sabri, Director General, Egyptian International Centre for Agriculture (EICA), Cairo.

The Secretary General, in his address, highlighted the importance of women’s empowerment and improvement of their socio-economic status in the overall development of the country, as well as, achievement of gender equality. He mentioned that AARDO, as part of its mandate, makes efforts to supplement the initiatives of its member countries through human capacity building by organizing training programs, workshops, seminars and thus provides a platform for the exchange of best practices, innovation technologies, experiences in the field of rural and agricultural development, including the advancement of rural women by enhancing their capacity, income and thus makes an effort for their effective empowerment.

Moreover, AARDO has been regularly pursuing to develop networking among rural and agricultural development institutions, universities, research organizations and centers of excellence and creation of knowledge centers and consortium in the African-Asian region for rural development management, research and consultancy with special focus on new and emerging technologies. Accordingly, AARDO is evolving a sustainable ecosystem where a basket of innovative & disruptive technologies called Affordable Technologies Menu (ATM) for Agricultural and Rural Development has been conceptualized. ATM is facilitating to share ICT & technological solutions among AARDO member countries and other concerned stakeholders.

During the technical session of the workshop, experts/resource persons from the Egyptian International Centre for Agriculture (EICA) and other institutes in Egypt, covered pertinent issues related to women empowerment through small projects, including planning and management of small projects for women. The experts/resource persons delivered lectures on the topic of 1) marketing of small projects products; 2) fruit & vegetable drying process; 3) home poultry farming; 4) cheese making process; and 5) role of government institutions in women empowerment.

The valedictory session of the workshop was held on 23 December 2021, wherein Prof. Dr. Hani Sabri, Director General, Egyptian International Centre for Agriculture (EICA), Cairo thanked and appreciated AARDO for coordination with the center for AARDO activities. He reiterated the center’s commitment towards agriculture/rural development and continuing cooperation with partners to achieve SDGs. On his part, Mr. Mohamed Hassan Rashwan, Honorary Regional Representative of AARDO for North & Eastern Africa, in his concluding remarks, thanked AARDO for the collaboration and support for conducting this important workshop on “Women Empowerment” in collaboration with EICA for the larger benefit of AARDO member countries. He further informed that the regional office is in the process of preparing a work plan of the regional office activities for next year, accordingly, it is expected to organize a number of online/offline technical activities on the issues related to rural/agriculture development for the benefit of AARDO member countries in coordination with centers of excellence, like EICA, DRC, Agriculture Research Center (ARC) and other institutes/centers in Egypt. On behalf of H.E. the Secretary General, AARDO, Mr. Mohammad Naimuddin, Translation Officer (Arabic) and coordinator of the program from AARDO, extended his sincere gratitude to the Director General of the Egyptian International Centre for Agriculture, faculty members, resource persons/experts, Honorary Regional Representative of AARDO for North & Eastern Africa and all the participants for their contributions and active participation in making the workshop successful. Highlighting the need and importance of networking in the context of changing global scenario, he urged the participants to keep in touch through virtual platforms and share successful experiences and innovative strategies of their respective countries for greater benefits to flow to all stakeholders in African-Asian countries. Several participants expressed their gratefulness to AARDO, its regional office, and the EICA for organizing this important online training workshop in the Arabic language.

Executive Committee: 74th Session

9 December 2021

The 74th Session of the Executive Committee of AARDO was held at Ghana High Commission, New Delhi, India on 09 December 2021 through virtual/hybrid mode. This was the first session of the 20th Executive Committee. It was chaired by Mr. Raphael Edu-Gyan, Principal Development Planning Officer, the representative of Ms. Marian W. A. Kpakpah, Chief Director, Ministry of Local Government, Decentralisation and Rural Development, Government of the Republic of Ghana and Hon’ble President of the Executive Committee of AARDO.

Twelve Executive Committee members, namely, People's Republic of Bangladesh, Republic of China (Taiwan), Arab Republic of Egypt, Republic of Ghana, Republic of India, Republic of Kenya, Malaysia, Republic of Namibia, Islamic Republic of Pakistan, State of Palestine, Republic of Tunisia and Republic of Zambia attended the Session. His Excellency Dr. Manoj Nardeosingh, Secretary General, AARDO, attended the meeting as the Member Secretary to the Executive Committee. After adoption of the provisional agenda, the Executive Committee, among others, approved appointment of its auditors for the years 2022-2024.

AARDO Conference - 20th General Session

8 - 9 December 2021

The 20th General Session of AARDO Conference was held on 08-09 December 2021, through hybrid mode, at the kind invitation of the esteemed Ministry of Local Government, Decentralization and Rural Development, Government of the Republic of Ghana. The Conference was attended by Twenty Five (25) member countries, namely, People’s Republic of Bangladesh, Burkina Faso, R O China (Taiwan), Arab Republic of Egypt, Republic of Ghana, Republic of India, Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan, Republic of Kenya, Republic of Lebanon, State of Libya, Republic of Malawi, Malaysia, Republic of Mauritius, Kingdom of Morocco, Republic of Namibia, Federal Republic of Nigeria, Sultanate of Oman, Islamic Republic of Pakistan, State of Palestine, Democratic Socialist Republic of Sri Lanka, Republic of the Sudan, Syrian Arab Republic, Republic of Tunisia, Republic of Yemen and Republic of Zambia. In addition, the representatives from Republic of Indonesia and International Tropical Fruits Network (TFNet) attended the Conference as Observers. His Excellency Dr. Manoj Nardeosingh, Secretary General, AARDO attended the Conference as Member Secretary to the Conference.

Following the addresses by H.E. Dr. Manoj Nardeosingh, Secretary General, AARDO; H.E. Dato’ Sri Mahdzir Bin Khalid, Minister of Rural Development, Government of Malaysia, and Honorable President of AARDO; H.E. Mr. Augustine Collins NTIM (MP), Deputy Minister of Local Government, Decentralization and Rural Development, Government of the Republic of Ghana, the Conference was virtually inaugurated by the Hon’ble Chief Guest, H.E. ING. Dr. Nana Ato ARTHUR, Head of Service, Office of the Head of Local Government Service, Government of the Republic of Ghana. Further, Hon’ble Ministers of Republic of Zambia and Syrian Arab Republic, and the Hon’ble Deputy Minister of Republic of China (Taiwan) delivered their statements. The statement of the Hon’ble Minister of Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan was read by the representative of the Middle-East Regional Office (MERO) of AARDO.

The Conference commenced its business session under the presidentship of H.E. Dato’ Sri Mahdzir Bin Khalid, Minister of Rural Development, Government of Malaysia, and Hon’ble President of AARDO. After adoption of the Provisional Agenda, Hon’ble Minister of Local Government, Decentralization and Rural Development, Government of the Republic of Ghana was elected as the President of AARDO; Hon’ble Minister of Social Solidarity, Government of Arab Republic of Egypt and Hon’ble Minister of Rural Development, Government of Malaysia as the Vice-Presidents of AARDO from Africa and Asia, respectively for the triennium 2021-2023 and extended year of 2024, as recommended by the 73rd Session of the Executive Committee. The newly elected dignitaries assumed their respective offices, accordingly.

The Conference unanimously elected members of the 20th Executive Committee as follows: (i) Arab Republic of Egypt, (ii) Republic of Ghana, (iii) Republic of Kenya, (iv) Republic of Mauritius, (v) Republic of Namibia, (vi) Republic of Tunisia, and (vii) Republic of Zambia from Africa, and (viii) People's Republic of Bangladesh, (ix) Republic of China (Taiwan), (x) Republic of India, (xi) Malaysia, (xii) Islamic Republic of Pakistan, and (xiii) State of Palestine from Asia for the triennium 2021-2023 and the extended year 2024.

The AARDO Conference, among others, approved the review of membership contribution and income and expenditure for 2017-2020, Member Relations as well as Work Programme and Budget Estimates for the triennium 2021-2023 and the extended year 2024.

The Conference also approved the AARDO’s Strategic Framework 2030 as presented in the Agenda Notes. The ten year Strategic Framework covers the period 2021-2030 to coincide and conclude with the accounting period of SDGs.

The Conference unanimously accepted the offer of the esteemed Government of Arab Republic of Egypt to host the next (21st) AARDO Conference to be held in 2024 with R O China (Taiwan) as alternate venue.

Executive Committee – 73rd Session, New Delhi

6 - 7 Deecmber 2021

The 73rd Session of AARDO Executive Committee was held on 06-07 December 2021 through hybrid mode under the chairmanship of H.E. Dato’ Ramlan Bin Harun, Secretary General, Ministry of Rural Development, Government of Malaysia and Hon’ble President of the Executive Committee of AARDO. The meeting was attended by all thirteen (13) Executive Committee members, namely, People’s Republic of Bangladesh, Republic of China (Taiwan), Arab Republic of Egypt, Republic of Ghana, Republic of India, Republic of Lebanon, Malaysia, Republic of Mauritius, Sultanate of Oman, State of Palestine, Republic of the Sudan, Republic of Tunisia and Republic of Zambia. While the High Commissioners / Ambassadors and senior diplomats of member countries attended the Session through physical mode in New Delhi, the delegates from the AARDO's nodal ministries attended through virtual mode. H.E. Dr. Manoj Nardeosingh, Secretary General, AARDO, attended the meeting as Member Secretary to the Committee.

While H.E. Dr. Manoj Nardeosingh, Secretary General, AARDO warmly welcomed the Hon’ble President and two Vice-Presidents of AARDO Executive Committee and the distinguished delegates, the Hon’ble President of AARDO Executive Committee, H.E. Dato’ Ramlan Bin Harun, Secretary General, Ministry of Rural Development, Government of Malaysia expressed thanks to the delegates for sparing their valuable time and adjusting to odd hours so as to attend the meeting, in his opening address. After adoption of the Provisional Agenda, the Executive Committee approved the decisions taken by the 74th, 75th and 76th Sessions of the Liaison Committee and adopted their final reports.

The Committee also noted and adopted the Review of Activities, Membership Contribution, Member Relations for the period October 2019 –June 2021 and audited Income and Expenditure for 2019 and 2020.

The Executive Committee elected the nominee of the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan as the next Assistant Secretary General of the Organization. It also noted seven new MOU's and ratified the memorandum of understanding signed by AARDO with two (02) international organizations.

After deliberations, the Executive Committee recommended, inter alia, the followings to the 20th General Session of AARDO Conference for consideration:

1. Hon’ble Minister of Local Government, Decentralisation & Rural Development, Government of Republic of Ghana as the President of AARDO; the outgoing President, Hon’ble Minister of Rural Development, Government of Malaysia and Hon’ble Minister of Social Solidarity, Government of Arab Republic of Egypt as the Vice -Presidents from Asia and Africa respectively for the triennium 2021-2023 and for the extended year 2024.
2. Work Programme for the triennium 2021-2023 and for the extended year 2024
3. Budget estimates for the triennium 2021-2023 and for the extended year 2024

Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) Signed with Ministry of Rural Development (MoRD), Government of the Republic of India

3 December 2021

The African-Asian Rural Development Organization (AARDO) has signed an Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with esteemed Ministry of Rural Development (MoRD), Government of the Republic of India on 03rd December 2021under which, the Government of India will provide to AARDO additional contribution of US$ 600,000(US Dollars six hundred thousand) for the triennium (2021-2023), amounting to US$200,000 (US Dollars two hundred thousand) per year towards capacity building programmes, by way of organizing short-term training programmes at premier Institutes/ Centres, Post Graduate Diploma in Rural Development Management (PGDRDM) programme at National Institute of Rural Development and Panchayati Raj (NIRD&PR), Hyderabad, workshops/seminars and study visits for the AAARDO sponsored candidates from member countries. The Government of India is providing this contribution since 2009 to AARDO and a large number of policy makers /experts have already benefited from it.

Executive Committee - 72nd Session, New Delhi

24 - 25 November 2021

The 72nd Session of AARDO Executive Committee was held on 24-25 November 2021 through hybrid mode under the chairmanship of Ms. Rafea’ah Haji Nahar, Undersecretary, Strategic Planning Division, Ministry of Rural Development, Government of Malaysia. Twelve (12), out of thirteen (13) members of the Executive Committee, namely, Bangladesh, Republic of China (Taiwan), Egypt, Ghana, India, Malaysia, Mauritius, State of Palestine, Oman, the Sudan,Tunisia,and Zambia attended the Session. The High Commissioners / Ambassadors and senior diplomats / officers of member countries attended the Session through physical mode, whereas other participant attended through virtual mode. H.E. Dr. Manoj Nardeosingh, Secretary General, AARDO, attended the meeting as Member Secretary to the Committee.

While the Secretary General, AARDO, warmly welcomed the Hon’ble President and two Vice-Presidents of AARDO Executive Committee, distinguished delegates and invited guests, the Hon’ble President of AARDO Executive Committee expressed thanks to the delegates for sparing their valuable time and adjusting to odd hours so as to attend the meeting, in his opening remarks.

After adoption of the Provisional Agenda, the Executive Committee approved the decisions taken by the 71st and Special Sessions of the Executive Committee, and 73rd and 74th Sessions of the Liaison Committee and adopted their final reports.

The Committee also adopted the Review of Activities, Membership Contribution, Member Relations for the period Oct’2018-Sep’2019 and audited Income and Expenditure for 2018 and noted that the unaudited report for the year 2019 will be taken up in the following Executive Committee.

The Executive Committee noted that it had approved the Terms and condition of Service Contract of the new Assistant Secretary General, AARDO by circulation. It also ratified the memorandum of Understanding that AARDO had signed with four (04) international Organizations.

AARDO-FERO Online International Training Programme on “Sustainable Practices for Smart Agriculture and Livelihood in African-Asian Countries”

25 - 29 October 2021

An online international training programme on “Sustainable Practices for Smart Agriculture and Livelihood in African-Asian Countries” was organized by AARDO’s Regional Office for FAR East (FERO), Seoul, in collaboration with Korea FAO Association during 25 – 29 October 2021. The main objectives of the programme were:

1. to discuss sustainable agricultural practices
2. to highlight the importance of Bio-resources in sustainable agriculture
3. to enhance understanding on smart agriculture & mechanization
4. to discuss Sustainable Agriculture & Environmental Conservation

H.E.Dr Manoj Nardeosingh, Secretary General, AARDO officiated at the inauguration of the programme, while welcome remarks were delivered by Mr Yoo, Byung-Rin, Chairman, Korea FAO Association and Hon Regional Representative of AARDO for the Far East Region, on 25th October 2021. The programme was attended by 90 participants from 21 AARDO member countries, namely, Bangladesh, R O China, Egypt, Ethiopia, Ghana, India, Jordan, Malaysia, Mauritius, Morocco, Nigeria, Namibia, Oman, Pakistan, Palestine, Sierra Leone, Sudan, Sri Lanka, Tunisia, Yemen, and Zambia.

The major themes of the programme were “Agricultural Mechanization”, “Smart Agriculture”, “Sustainable Agriculture - Climate Change” and “Environment Conservation”. These themes were covered under five lectures by eminent resource persons from Chungnam National University (CNU), Rural Development Administration (RDA), Jeollanamdo Agricultural Research & Extension Centre, Korea Rural Economic Institute (KREI), and Korea Rural Community Corporation (KRC). The lectures on ‘Introducing Korea’s Agriculture and Machinery Policies’ succinctly described the development process of agricultural machineries in Korea and also highlighted the machinery-trade and status in the world market. Considering the specificity of Korean agriculture and small-sized farms, the need of developing appropriate machineries and implements were underlined. Interesting and unique insight of the Korean experiences in agricultural mechanization was praised.

A lecture on ‘Smart Farm Research & Development Status and Future Direction in Korea” highlighted how the agricultural sector evolved through various development stages to attain the current status of Smart Agriculture. It also described as to how the 4th Industrial Revolution has blurred the boundaries between the physical, digital, and biological worlds. The convergence of agriculture and smart technologies such as Artificial Intelligence (AI), Robotics, Internet of Things (IoT), 3D Printing, Genetic Engineering, Quantum Computing, Blockchains has brought about numerous advantages to the Korean agriculture in terms of Smart Farming. The resource person succinctly classified the core technologies in Korean Greenhouses and explained how the Rural Development Administration’s ongoing research & development plans would help making the future course of Korean agriculture.

In a lecture on ‘Smart-farm Applications”, technology development and application cases were discussed by the resource person who further explained the modernization facilities and smart farms needed for the future direction of researches. Another lecture on ‘Addressing Climate Change and Agriculture Policies’ discussed by the resource person on the perception of climate change and how the human activities are fuelling the extreme weather causing irreversible climate crisis. The resource person also talked about the Framework Act on Carbon Neutrality and Korean Green New Deal on climate change mitigation to achieve 35% reduction in agricultural emission by 2030 and Net Zero by 2050. In response to the climate risks, unified efforts for climate change mitigation, adaptation, production and consumption of renewable energy, water-energy-food nexus, green architecture were underlined. The lecture also focussed on environmental threats and risks caused by climate change and on how these challenges could be overcome by prudent resource management through appropriate strategies and policies.

Though ‘Smart Agriculture versus Traditional Agriculture’ is likely to remain an ongoing debate, the convergence of agriculture with technology will continue to help conserving the heritage agriculture.

The programme has succeeded in highlighting innovative technologies, viable solutions and so many successful tech-based Korean models that could be applied and adjusted in many of the AARDO member countries to overcome the impending challenges.

This online training programme successfully concluded on 29th October 2021 with positive feedback of the participants and a promising note that AARDO member countries hold enormous potential to replicate successful Korean models and apply innovative technologies and viable solutions towards Sustainable Practices for Smart Agriculture and Livelihood.

AARDO Online Regional Workshop on “Combating Desertification: Experiences of AARDO’s Arab Member Counties”, Desert Research Center, Cairo, Egypt

24 - 28 October 2021

The United Nation’s 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development puts a strong emphasis on the integrated approach to achieving SDGs. Conservation of natural resources, including land can play an important role in accelerating the achievement of many SDGs. Likewise, maintaining and restoring land resources can play a vital role in tackling climate change. In this context, combating desertification is considered very important as it contributes towards solving the food crisis, rationalizing water consumption, using desalinated or recycled water, preserving the vegetation cover of desert areas and increasing productivity of desert crops.

Considering the importance of the subject, AARDO, in collaboration with its Regional Office of AARDO for North and Eastern Africa, and the Desert Research Center (DRC), Cairo, Arab Republic of Egypt, organized an online regional workshop titled “Combating Desertification: Experiences of AARDO’s Arab Member Counties” during 24-28 October 2021, exclusively for the Arab speaking member countries.

The workshop was attended by fifty eight (58) participants/experts from six (6) member countries, namely Egypt, Jordan, Oman, Palestine, Sudan and Syria; two (2) eligible member countries, Algeria and Somalia; and one (1) international organization, namely, Arab Organization for Agricultural Development (AOAD), Sudan.

The opening session of the workshop was held on 24 October 2021 with welcoming remarks by Mr. Mohamed Hassan Rashwan, Honorary Regional Representative of AARDO for North & Eastern Africa, followed by the opening address of H.E. Dr. Manoj Nardeosingh, Secretary General, AARDO, which was read out by Mr. Mohammad Naimuddin, Translation Officer (Arabic) & Coordinator of the program from AARDO.

The Secretary General, in his address, highlighted that desertification and degradation of agricultural land are some of the major challenges being faced by several AARDO member countries. AARDO, as part of its strategy, makes efforts to support its member countries in human capacity building through training programs, workshops, seminars and research studies and providing forum for exchanging experiences in the field of rural /agricultural development, including combating the desertification occurring due to climate changes. Moreover, AARDO has been regularly pursuing to develop networking among rural and agricultural development institutions, universities, research organizations and centers of excellence and creation of knowledge centers and consortium in the African-Asian region for rural development management, research and consultancy with special focus on new and emerging technologies. Accordingly, AARDO is evolving a sustainable ecosystem where a basket of innovative & disruptive technologies called Affordable Technologies Menu (ATM) for Agricultural and Rural Development has been conceptualized. ATM is facilitating to share ICT & technological solutions among AARDO member countries and other concerned stakeholders.

During the technical session of the workshop, experts/resource persons from the Desert Research Center (DRC) covered pertinent issues related to combating desertification, including the concepts, methods, policies and practices to combat desertification and drought, Egyptian experience in sand dune fixing in desertification and drought condition, Water resources management in desertification and drought condition, Pasture management in desertification and drought condition, and Conservation of Land Resources in desertification and drought condition.

The valedictory session of the workshop was held on 28 October 2021, wherein Mr. Mohamed Hassan Rashwan, Honorary Regional Representative of AARDO for North & Eastern Africa, in his concluding remarks, thanked AARDO for the collaboration and support for conducting this important workshop on “Combating Desertification” in collaboration with DRC for larger benefit of AARDO member countries. Also, he informed that the regional office is coordinating with other centers of excellence, like Egyptian International Center for Agriculture (EICA) and Agriculture Research Center (ARC) in Egypt to organize more online programs on the issues related to rural/agriculture development for the benefit of AARDO member countries. On behalf of H.E. the Secretary General, AARDO, Mr. Mohammad Naimuddin, Translation Officer (Arabic) and coordinator of the program from AARDO, extended his sincere gratitude to the president of the Desert Research Center, faculty members, resource persons/experts, Honorary Regional Representative of AARDO for North & Eastern Africa and all the participants for their contributions and active participation in making the workshop successful. Highlighting the need and importance of networking in the context of changing global scenario, he urged the participants to keep in touch through virtual platforms and share successful experiences and innovative strategies of their respective countries for greater benefits to flow to all stakeholders in African-Asian countries. Several participants expressed their gratefulness to AARDO, its regional office and the DRC for organizing this important online training workshop in Arabic language.

AARDO Online training programme on “Sustainable Food Production through Livestock” (Arabic language), College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Bahri, Sudan

4 - 14 October 2021

One of the most important elements related to sustainable livestock production is animal health. Healthy animals have great contribution to public health, as well as to sustainable food production, which subsequently leads to the elimination of hunger and address to the SDG No. 2.

We need an accelerated but sustainable and inclusive livestock development for which there is a dire need to strengthen the technical capacity, increase productivity, efficiency and competitiveness, review laws and regulations, exploit improved breeds and rearing methods of livestock together with good livestock management practices.

Current situation suggests that there is an urgent need of people, with the knowledge and problem-solving skills, to match the rapid advances being made in animal health, science, and food production. Human capacity building in the field of animal health management and livestock production will contribute in facing the challenges in food security and livestock economic competitiveness in the member countries. It will also contribute in achieving numerous Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) like SDG1 (No poverty), SDG 2 (Zero Hunger) & SDG3 (Good health and well-being), etc.

Considering the importance of the subject, AARDO, in collaboration with the College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Bahri, Khartoum, organized an online training program titled “Sustainable Food Production through Livestock”, in Khartoum, Sudan during 4-14 October 2021. The main objectives of the program were to explore the selective information on animal diseases, animal nutrition, breeding and management and different approaches of livestock systems for sustainable food and nutrition security. Specific objectives of the program were to provide participants with 1) Basic information on animal diseases, 2) Animal nutrition, breeding and management, 3) Livestock systems and their contribution to animal production, and 4) Public health implication and risks of zoonotic diseases.

The programme was attended by Ninety four (94) participants from eight (8) member countries, namely Egypt, Jordan, Oman, Palestine, Sudan, Syria and Tunisia; one (1) eligible member country, Somalia; and one (1) international organization, namely, Arab Organization for Agricultural Development (AOAD), Sudan.

The opening session of the program was held on 4 October 2021, with the welcoming remarks by Dr. Naba Kamaal Badawi, Dean of the College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Bahri followed by the address of Prof. Talaat Dafalla Abdel Magid, Deputy Vice Chancellor, University of Bahri. The opening address of H.E. Dr. Manoj Nardeosingh, Secretary General, AARDO was read out by Mr. Mohammad Naimuddin, Translation Officer (Arabic) & Coordinator of the program from AARDO.

The training program covered the topics like basic information on animal diseases, animal nutrition, breeding and management and different approach of livestock systems and their contribution to animal production and subsequently households’ food and nutrition security. During the technical sessions of the program the faculty members and experts from the College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Bahri and other Sudanese institutes delivered lectures on the subject of sustainable food production through the livestock and discussed pertinent issues in details including “An overview of food production of animal origin”, “Sustainable livestock production systems for human welfare and sound economic status”, “Major animal diseases in rural areas”, “Actions to reduce risks of diseases”, “ Risks associated with poor animal health”, Trans-boundary and zoonotic animal diseases and challenges to food security, public health, and rural livelihood”, “The importance of animal health strategy for a sustainable livestock production in developing countries”, and “Climate change and its impact on animal health and production in low-income countries”.

The valedictory session of the programme was held on 14 October 2021 wherein Dr. Nabaa Kamaal Badawi, Dean of the College of Veterinary Medicine, delivered her concluding remarks and thanked AARDO for the collaboration and support for conducting this important programme at the College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Bahri, Sudan for larger benefit of AARDO member countries. On behalf of H.E. the Secretary General, AARDO, Mr. Mohammad Naimuddin, Translation Officer (Arabic) and coordinator of the program from AARDO extended his sincere gratitude to Dean of the College of Veterinary Medicine, faculty members, resource persons/experts, coordinator and all the participants for their contributions and active participation in making the programme successful. Highlighting the need and importance of networking in the context of changing global scenario, he urged the participants to keep in touch through virtual platforms and share their successful experiences and innovative strategies of their respective countries for greater benefits to flow to all stakeholders in African-Asian countries. Several participants expressed their gratefulness to AARDO and the College for organizing this important online training program in Arabic language. Dr. Mohammad Khider Abd Alrahim, Assistant Professor, College of Veterinary Medicine thanked the Secretary General, AARDO, experts/professors and participants on their contribution in successfully organizing this program.

International Online Training Workshop on Achieving Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs): Financial Inclusion and Rural Transformation

4 - 13 October 2021

Bangladesh Academy for Rural Development (BARD) established in 1959 is a training institute for the practitioners and policy makers in rural development. It has a unified approach of training, research and project experimentation which provides uniqueness to the training curriculum of the Academy. BARD has collaborated with the assistance from World Bank, USAID, UNDP, FAO, SAARC, ILO, COMSEC, CIRDAP. AARDO has signed an MOU with BARD for organization of international training workshop for AARDO member countries on annual basis.

The above international online training workshop was organized at BARD, Comilla, Bangladesh, during 04-13 October, 2021 with objectives to enhance knowledge of the participants on the concepts and cross cutting issues of financial inclusion, poverty reduction and rural transformation. It also aimed at identifying the second-generation problems of microcredit and various other financial products of micro-finance and cost-effective solutions to the challenges faced in delivering financial services to the most vulnerable sections of rural people.

The Programme was attended by one hundred thirteen (113) participants from twenty two (22) AARDO member/countries namely, R O China (Taiwan), Cameroon, Egypt, Eritrea, Ethiopia, Gambia, Ghana, India, Jordan, Malaysia, Mauritius, Morocco, Namibia, Nigeria, Oman, Pakistan, Sri Lanka, Sudan, Tanzania, Tunisia, Zambia and the host country Bangladesh.

The inaugural session of the programme, held on 04 October 2021, was graced by the Chief Guest, Mr. Md. Mashiur Rahman, Honorable Secretary, Ministry of Local Government, Rural Development and Cooperatives, Government of the People’s Republic of Bangladesh. His Excellency Dr. Manoj Nardeosingh, Secretary General AARDO virtually attended the session as Special Guest. This session was presided over by Mr. Md. Shahjahan, Director General of BARD. Dignitaries delivered their addresses. Besides, Mr. Mohammad Abdul Quader, Director (Training) and Workshop Coordinator, Dr. Mohammad Mizanur Rahman, Workshop Director, BARD, delivered their welcoming & introductory addresses. Dr. Khushnood Ali, Head, Research Division, AARDO presented vote of thanks.

The technical sessions discussed, inter alia, rural transformation through Financial Inclusion; Challenges of Rural Transformation and Strategic Framework; Financial Inclusion through Cooperative Movement: Financial Inclusion and Rural Women; Stakeholder Analysis for Need-based Financial Inclusion of the Rural Poor; Micro Savings and E-Inclusion; Innovative Model for Generating Additional Fund for Financial Inclusion; Financial Inclusion through Specialized Banking: Experience of Grameen Bank, BRAC; Mobile Banking: An Innovative System for Financial Inclusion; Role of the Central Bank and the Microcredit Regulatory Authority for Financial Service Delivery.

Valedictory session held on 13 October 2021, was graced by Dr. Atiur Rahman, Former Governor of Bangladesh Bank as Chief Guest and Dr. Khushnood Ali, Head, Research Division, AARDO attended the session as Guest of Honour. Mr. Md. Shahjahan, Director General of BARD presided over the session. It was also attended by Mr. Mohammad Abdul Quader, Director (Training) & Workshop Coordinator, Dr. Mohammad Mizanur Rahman, Workshop Director, BARD. At the occasion, participants from Egypt, Ghana, Malaysia, Morocco, Nigeria, Oman, Pakistan and Zambia shared their experiences and gave important feedback on the programme.

AARDO Liaison Committee: 77th Session

07 October 2021

The 77th Session of the Liaison Committee of African - Asian Rural Development Organization (AARDO) was held on 07th October 2021 at the Claridges Hotel, New Delhi, India under the chairmanship of H.E. Mrs. Santi Bai Hanoomanjee, G.C.S.K., High Commissioner of Republic of Mauritius to India, and Hon’ble Chairperson of the 77th Session of the Liaison Committee. All the necessary protocols relating to COVID-19 were strictly adhered to

The Session was attended by twenty eight (28) delegates from twenty one (21) member countries, namely, Republic of China (Taiwan), Egypt, Gambia, Ghana, India, Iraq, Jordan, Kenya, Lebanon, Libya, Mauritius, Morocco, Namibia, Nigeria, Oman, Pakistan, Sri Lanka, Sudan, Tunisia, Yemen and Zambia. In addition, delegation from the International Commission on Irrigation and Drainage (ICID) attended the meeting as Observer. His Excellency Dr. Manoj Nardeosingh, Secretary General, AARDO, attended the meeting as Member Secretary to the Liaison Committee.

The Session commenced with the address of H.E. the Secretary General, AARDO, who warmly welcomed the Chairperson and other distinguished delegates to the 77th Session. It was followed by inaugural address by H.E. Mrs. Santi Bai Hanoomanjee, G.C.S.K., High Commissioner of Republic of Mauritius to India, and Hon’ble Chairperson of the 77th Session of the Liaison Committee.

The quorum being complete, the Business Session commenced with the Committee adopting the Provisional Agenda and Summary Report of the 76th Session of Liaison Committee. The Committee thereafter, was apprised of the follow-up actions taken/proposed to be taken by the AARDO Secretariat on the decisions/recommendations of the 76th Session of Liaison Committee.

The Committee equally took note of the review of AARDO activities relating to the Human Resource Development (HRD) Programmes, Development Pilot Projects and the Regional Offices. The Committee was informed about the status of Membership Contribution and initiatives taken by the AARDO Secretariat to strengthen the Member Relations and expand membership of AARDO for the period, October 2020 – June 2021. It took cognizance of the projected programmes scheduled from July 2021 to March 2022. Moreover, the Committee decided to hold its next (78th) Session on 6th April 2022 and accordingly approved a list of Special Invitees to attend therein, as Observers. Most of the agenda items had a comprehensive audio visual presentation by H.E. the Secretary General, AARDO.

Besides the Business Session, the AARDO Secretariat also organised presentations on ‘Appropriate Technologies: Facilitation and Transfer to AARDO Member Countries’ and ‘Innovative e-Solutions to the Rural Health Care’ to apprise the distinguished delegates about the possibilities of technologies transfer to their countries.

The meeting concluded with a note of thanks to the participating delegates and Observer.

International Online Training Programme on “Food and Nutrition Security in a Post-Pandemic World”.

14 - 23 September

AARDO, in collaboration with the CTARA - IITB organized a two week Online International Training Programme on " FOOD AND NUTRITION SECURITY IN A POST-PANDEMIC WORLD”, at IITB, Mumbai, India, between 14-23 September 2021 to discuss the challenges on food and nutrition, emerging in the post Covid19 situation.

A total number of 105, from 27 AARDO member and prospective member countries across Africa and Asia, registered for this programme

The programme was virtually inaugurated on 14th September 2021. The delegates were welcomed by Prof. Anand B. Rao, Head, Centre for Technology Alternatives for Rural Areas (CTARA), IIT Bombay. H.E. Dr. Manoj Nardeosingh, the Secretary General of AARDO inaugurated the program. In his inaugural address, he stated that technologies and technological solutions are the most effective ways to solve contemporary and impending challenges, pertaining to food and nutrition securities in rural communities in both Africa and Asia. The ceremony was also graced by Prof. Subhasis Chaudhuri, Director, IIT Bombay. He pointed out that while the theme of the training program is in the domain of the SDG-2, its ramifications are cross cutting”. He hoped that “the outcomes of the training program and the improved understanding of the participants, holding different roles in government, NGOs, and private institutions, would definitely helped in addressing the problems of food and nutrition securities in post-pandemic times". A keynote address was delivered by Mr. Bishow Parajuli, World Food Program (WFP), Representative and Country Director in , India, who focused on the important issues related to world food security, climate change and the coping mechanisms during the pandemic and its aftermath.

Food and nutrition security are important pillars of the Sustainable Development Agenda. The second Sustainable Development goal in particular seeks to end hunger and all forms of malnutrition, and double agricultural productivity in the next 9 years. However, during post the COVID-19 pandemic, many countries are facing growing levels of acute food insecurity and have lost years of development gains. According to a report cited by World Bank, 30% of the global population lacked access to adequate food in 2020 – a rise of 320 million in just one year. The food and nutrition security agenda also requires communities to be effectively empowered for better nutrition service delivery. It is also critical to identify tools and methods that support programs to achieve food and nutrition security. Keeping the cross country, regional and rural context in mind, AARDO and IIT Bombay have developed an e-training program that included exposure to innovative technology practices, pedagogical tools for community outreach and models of nutrition and food security.

The programme was designed to sensitize participants about innovative technology practices, pedagogical tools for community outreach and models of nutrition and food security. During the course of deliberation, important issues such as: Agriculture and Food Security Nutrition Security – Conceptual Framework; Awareness Generation on Best Practices/Models On Food And Nutrition Security; Community Outreach New Pedagogy / Technology; Food & Nutrition Security During and Post Disasters (Natural Hazards , Pandemic, Conflicts, War etc.); Identification of Key Challenges and Opportunities Policy Makers are Facing in Transforming Food and Nutrition Security in the Context of Rural Areas were discussed. The programme made participatory by involving participants through country situation presentations and posters on best practices.

The valedictory session of the programme was held on 23 September 2021 and it begun with recap of the programme by Prof. Parameshwar Udmale, CTARA. Dr. Ashok Dalwai, CEO, National Rainfed Area Authority (RAAR), Government of India. He applauded both the institutions, AARDO and IITB for organising training programme on such an important theme before elaborating on how COVID pandemic was emphasising food and nutrition security. He hoped that the world could only overcome through collective efforts present and impending challenges and therefore, such programmes were need to be organised to create a roadmap in order to achieve food and nutrition security. Prof. Amit Agrawal, Dean (International Relations) & Institute Chair Professor Department of Mechanical Engineering IIT Bombay also addressed the participants. , During his address, Prof. Amit offered participants to peruse higher education with IITB through, scholarship, international student exchange and paid fellowships. Prof. S.B. Agnihotri gave his concluding remarks by thanking participants, AARDO officials, Dr. Sanjeeb K Behera, Head, IEC Dvision and Mr. Kamal Dhameja, Technical Officer for collaboration with IITB for online training programme. He also extend his thanks to IITB faculty members and students for effective contribution during the whole programme. On behalf of AARDO, Dr Sanjeeb K Behera, Head, IEC Division thanked Dr. Ashok Dalwai, CEO, NRAA for sparing his valuable time from his busy schedule and sharing valuable thought with participants. He also extended his thanks to Prof. Anand Rao, Head of CTARA, moderators, Prof. Satish Agnihoti, Prof. Prameswar Udmale and Prof. Amit Arora of IIT Bombay, Dr. Rupali Khanolkar for their efforts to make this programme a big success. He also thanked his team members Mr. Kamal Dhameja, Mrs. Sonam Gupta and Mr. Dinesh Chand from AARDO for their tireless efforts behind the screen to make this program a grand success. The programme concluded with a photo session of all participants.

Online International Training Programme on " Value Chain Management in Fisheries”, at ICAR-CIFT, Kochi, India

13 - 16 September

AARDO, in collaboration with the ICAR-Central Institute of Fisheries Technology (CIFT), organized an online International Training Programme on " Value Chain Management in Fisheries”, at ICAR-CIFT, Kochi, India between 13-16 September 2021 to share the different innovative approaches and programmes adopted for marketing of fisheries by CIFT/India with the participants of AARDO member countries.

The virtual inauguration of this international training program was held on 09th September 2021 with a welcome address by Dr Nikita Gopal, Principal Scientist, EIS Division & Course Coordinator followed by programme highlights by Dr. A. K. Mohanty, HOD, EIS Division & AARDO Programme Coordinator. The Presidential address was delivered by Dr. C.N. Ravishankar, Director, ICAR-CIFT, Cochin followed by a Special address by Shri K. S. Srinivas, IAS , Chairman, MPEDA, Cochin, Kerala (Guest of Honour) and the inaugural address by H.E. Dr. Manoj Nardeosingh, Secretary General, AARDO (Guest of Honour). The Inaugural Session concluded with the vote of thanks by Dr. Suresh, A., Principal Scientist, EIS Division & Course Coordinator.

During the inauguration session Shri K. S. Srinivas, IAS, Chairman, MPEDA, Cochin, Kerala (Guest of Honour) emphasized the use of innovative technologies for value addition and to reduce the post-harvest losses for sustainable food security. H E the Secretary General, in his address, mentioned that innovative and affordable technologies developed by ICAR-CIFT, which are integral part of AARDOPedia may play an important role not only for the transformation of sustainable food value chain, but also in several other aspects of the marine fishery sector through harvest and post-harvest technologies, vessel manufacturing/ servicing units, net fabrication and maintenance units, new and improved fish culture methods, Ornamental fishery, development of detection/ diagnostic kits, waste utilization, quality management and test laboratories, processed food products including ready to eat and ready-to-cook product, development of machines for descaling fishes, quality management, food packing material manufacturing, input supply, etc.

The programme was attended by seventy six (76) participants, working in relevant fields, from twenty two (22) AARDO member countries, namely, Bangladesh, Burkina Faso, R.O. China (Taiwan), Egypt, Gambia, Ghana, India, Jordan, Kenya, Lebanon, Liberia, Mauritius, Morocco, Namibia, Nigeria, Oman, Pakistan, Palestine, Sierra Leone, Sri Lanka, Sudan, Tunisia, Yemen, and Zambia.

The broad objectives of the programme were to sensitize the participants on : Methods of marketing research, supply chain analysis and management forecasting tools; Export markets and competitiveness; Issues in domestic and export marketing; ICT & GIS applications ; and Market Decision Support Systems etc.

During this four days programme, consisting of 06 technical sessions, eminent resource persons from ICAR-CIFT have shared their valuable experiences and elaborated on innovations and technologies to study trends in world seafood trade; Domestic market for fish and fishery products; Quantitative methods for analysis of marketing related data; Supply chain management and analysis; Market Information Systems (MIS)/ Decision Support Systems; and Consumer Behaviour Analysis .

The Valedictory Session was held on 16th September 2021, wherein Dr Nikita Gopal, Principal Scientist, EIS Division & Course Coordinator, on behalf of Dr. C.N. Ravishankar, Director, CIFT, thanked AARDO and the participants for making this training program successful and hoped that the collaboration between the two institutions will continue for larger benefits of member countries. She also extended her welcome to all participants to visit CIFT once the situation becomes normal. Dr. A.K. Mohanty, Principal Coordinator of the program from CIFT expressed his satisfaction on the successful completion of the programme and sincerely thanked all participants and all those associated in organizing the programme. Several participants thanked AARDO for organizing a training program on such a theme and expressed their interest to visit the training institute for more learning and collaboration in future. On behalf of AARDO, Dr Sanjeeb K Behera, Head, IEC Division, in his concluding remarks thanked the CIFT Director Dr. C.N. Ravishankar, Course Director Dr Nikita Gopal and Principal Coordinator Dr. Amulya Kumar Mohanty, learned faculty members for sharing valuable information on value chain management in fisheries, including challenges and opportunities among the participants, during the technical sessions and making this training programme successful. He further mentioned that the participants may reach to the nodal ministry of AARDO in their respective country for possible transfer of technologies which they found relevant to their country. On request from the member countries, AARDO would take necessary steps in this regard. He also thanked Mr. Kamal Dhameja, Technical Officer of AARDO and Mr. Chandrasekhar of CIFT for their tireless efforts behind the screen to make this program a grand success. A Vote of Thanks was given by Dr. Suresh, A., Principal Scientist, EIS Division & Course Coordinator.

The programme ended with a photo session of all participants.

AARDO - 2nd International Webinar Series of e-Lectures

AARDO organized its first series of e-Lectures in March/April 2021 to provide a platform for policy dialogue for high-level officers and capsule exposure to policymakers, researchers, and technicians working in the areas of agriculture and rural development. In continuation to this, AARDO is organizing the second International webinar series of e-Lectures which covers vital thematics such as Agriculture Promotion Policy, Sea Food Technologies, Micro-Finance in Poverty Alleviation and Income support programme during September 2021.

02 September

Nigeria Agriculture Promotion Policy 2016-2020

The AARDO Secretariat started its second series of e-Lecture with a presentation by Dr. Olufemi A.Oladunni, Executive Director/Chief Executive Officer, Agricultural and Rural Management Training Institute (ARMTI), Nigeria on “Nigeria Agriculture Promotion Policy 2016-2020” on 02 September 2021. Click to Download

07 September

Sea Food Technologies: Experiences of Taiwan

Pursuing its 2nd International Webinar e-lecture series, AARDO successfully organized its second e-Lecture on “Sea Food Technologies: Experiences of Taiwan” on 07 September 2021. The e-Lecture was presented by Dr. Kao, Yi-FENG, Ph.D. Associate Researcher, Fisheries Research Institute, Council of Agriculture, Taiwan. Click to Download

15 September

Role of Micro-Finance in Poverty Alleviation: Experiences of Bangladesh

In continuation to the 2nd e-Lecture series, the third e-Lecture on “Role of Micro-Finance in Poverty Alleviation: Experiences of Bangladesh” was held on 15 September 2021. The lecture was presented by Mr. Ranjan Kumar Guha, Director (In-Charge), Bangladesh Academy for Rural Development (BARD), Bangladesh and attended by AARDO member countries and partners from Africa and Asia. Click to Download

20 September

Benazir Income Support Programme

The second e-Lecture series ended with a Lecture on “Benazir Income Support Programme” given on 20 September 2021. The lecture was presented by Mr. Naveed Akbar, Director General, National Socio–Economic Registry (NSER), Benazir Income Support Programme, Islamabad and attended by thirty-two (32) participants from AARDO member countries and partners from Africa and Asia. Click to Download

Online International Training Programme on " Advanced Techniques in Fishing and Fish Processing”, at ICAR-CIFT, Kochi, India

31 August -09 September

AARDO, in collaboration with the ICAR-Central Institute of Fisheries Technology (CIFT), organised an Online International Training Programme on "Advanced Techniques in Fishing and Fish Processing”, at ICAR-CIFT, Kochi, India between 31 August-09 September 2021 to share the innovative technologies developed by CIFT with other member countries in Africa and Asia.

The programme virtually started on 31st August 2021 with a welcome address by Dr Leela Edwin, HOD, Fishing Technology & Course Coordinator, followed by programme highlights by Dr. A. K. Mohanty, HOD, EIS Division & AARDO Programme Coordinator. In the inaugural session, the participants were addressed by Dr. Ravishankar C.N., Director, ICAR-CIFT, Cochin, Dr. J. K. Jena, Deputy Director General (Fisheries Science), ICAR, DARE, Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers’ Welfare, Govt. of India and H E Dr. Manoj Nardeosingh, Secretary General. Dr. Ashok Kumar K., Head, Fish Processing & Course Coordinator gave the vote of thanks.

In his welcome address, Dr. Ravishankar C.N., Director, ICAR-CIFT extended his warm regards to H.E. the Secretary General, AARDO, Dr. J. K. Jena, Director, ICAR and participants of the online programme. He ensured the participants that during the course of deliberations over the following few days the participants will be enlightened on, innovative and affordable technologies developed by CIFT. He also mentioned that once the pandemic will be over, the possibilities will be explored to organise programme on physical mode to give the real exposure to the participants of advance and affordable technologies developed by the ICAR-CIFT on fishing and fish processing. After that, the Chief Guest of the inaugural ceremony, Dr. J. K. Jena, Deputy Director General, ICAR expressed his gratitude to H E the Secretary General, AARDO for collaboration with ICAR-CIFT by organising this online training programme. While addressing the participants, he mentioned as to how conventional practices or traditional technologies of fishing and fish processing in India were being replaced with advance technologies over the last decade. During his address, the Secretary General, AARDO, stated that Innovative and affordable technologies are potential game-changers in aquaculture and have a huge role in increasing the productivity of fish farming. He also apprise the participants that AARDO was evolving a sustainable ecosystem where a basket of innovative & disruptive technologies called Affordable Technologies Menu (ATM) for Agricultural and Rural Development had been conceptualized. ATM would facilitate sharing of ICT & technological solutions among AARDO member countries and other concerned stakeholders.. The Secretary General extended his sincere gratitude to ICAR-CIFT for its kind support and cooperation for organizing specialized online training programme for the larger benefits of AARDO member countries. He also thanked Dr. J. K. Jena, Deputy Director General (Fisheries Science), ICAR, DARE, Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers’ Welfare, Govt. of India, Dr. C.N. Ravishankar, Director, ICAR-CIFT, Course Director, Dr. A. K. Mohanty, HOD, EIS Division & AARDO Programme Coordinator and faculty of IAR-CIFT for making excellent arrangements for successfully organizing the programme.

The programme was attended by one hundred three (103) participants working in relevant fields from twenty three (23) countries, namely, Bangladesh, R.O.China (Taiwan), Egypt, Gambia, Ghana, India, Jordan, Kenya, Lebanon, Mauritius, Morocco, Namibia, Nigeria, Oman, Pakistan, Palestine, Sierra Leone, Sri Lanka, Sudan, , Tunisia, United States of America, Yemen and Zambia.

Technology has to contribute greatly to the fishing industry and as such, technology diffusion programmes is very significant. While the fisheries sector is facing challenges in terms of excess capacity of fleet, diminution of fish resources and degradation of the fisheries environment in the coastal waters, the under-utilised and resources in the deeper waters hold potential along with rapid expansion envisaged. It’s imperative to have appropriate technology for application of resource conservation in the shelf waters under an appropriate management plan. Minimisation of harvest and post-harvest losses, development of technologies for reducing carbon and ecological footprints in the harvest sectors are areas which need focussed attention. Today fisheries sector is viewed by many as a sunrise sector as it helps in alleviating food security as well as supports many auxiliary sectors and most importantly small Fishers, including women.

Over the years ICAR-CIFT has carried out research on harvest and post-harvest aspects of fish extensively based on the sectors need and developed many ready to transfer technologies. Notable ones in harvest sector include design and construction of fishing vessels, eco-friendly fishing gears, satellite-based imaging system to locate fishing ground, automated fish hauling systems. The research information generated is transferred to the end users by adopting suitable extension methodologies. Noting that many of its member countries are in dire need of advance techniques in Fishing and Fish processing, AARDO is collaborating with CIFT to organize this e-training programme to showcase innovative and cost-effective technologies and subsequently transfer selected technologies to end users in Member countries.

The two-week programme had 8 technical sessions. During the session the participants were enlightened on various aspects of innovative/affordable technologies developed by CIFT, like selective fishing gear and practices; catch reduction technologies; Environment-friendly fish harvesting systems; Energy conservation in fish harvesting systems; Enhancement of resources and restoration of fishing grounds, etc.

The valedictory session of the programme was held on 09 September 2021, wherein Dr. C.N. Ravishankar thanked AARDO and the participants for making the training program successful and hoped that the collaboration between the two institutions would continue for larger benefits of member countries. He also extended his welcome to all participants to visit his institute once the situation becomes normal. Both the course directors, Dr. Leela Edwin and Dr. K. Ashok expressed their sincere thanks to all participants and other speakers of different sessions for participatory and lively discussions during the programme. Dr. A.K. Mohanty, Principal Coordinator of the program from CIFT expressed his satisfaction on the successful completion of the programme and expressed his sincere thanks to participants and all those associated in organizing the programme. Several participants thanked AARDO for organizing a training program on such a theme and expressed their interest to visit the training institute for more learning and collaboration in future. On behalf of AARDO, Dr Sanjeeb K Behera, Head, IEC Division thanked CIFT Director Dr. C.N. Ravishankar, both the Course Director Dr. Leela Edwin and Dr. K. Ashok and Dr. Amulya Kumar Mohanty, learned faculty members for sharing the innovations in Fishing and Fish Processing among the participants during the technical sessions and making this training programme successful. He also thanked Mr. Kamal Dhameja, Technical Officer of AARDO and Mr. Chandrasekhar of CIFT for their tireless efforts behind the screen to make this program a grand success. The programme concluded with a photo session of all participants.

AARDO - MARDI International Training Programme on “Maximizing Livestock Productivity through Efficient Resource Utilization”

16 - 26 August

AARDO, in collaboration with Malaysian Agricultural Research and Development Institute (MARDI), organized an International Training Programme on “Maximizing Livestock Productivity through Efficient Resource Utilization” (Online mode) for capacity enhancement, through transfer of knowledge and innovative technology and technological solutions for the development of livestock sector in the member countries in Africa and Asia.

The inauguration of the programme was virtually officiated by H. E. Dr. Manoj Nardeosingh, Secretary General, AARDO following the opening remarks by Yhb Dato Dr Mohamad Kamal b. Haji Abdul Kadir, Deputy Director General (Research), Malaysian Agricultural Research and Development Institute (MARDI) on 16th August 2021.

The programme is being attended by fifty-five (55) experts and functionaries in relevant fields from sixteen (16) countries, namely, Republic of China (Taiwan), Egypt, Eswatini (Swaziland), Ethiopia, Ghana, Iraq, Jordan, Malaysia, Mauritius, Nigeria, Oman, Pakistan, Sri Lanka, Sudan, Syria and Zambia.

Livestock play a significant role in securing food and nutritional security and creating livelihoods in the economies of developing countries. It ensures food supply, asset savings, soil productivity, rural transportation, agricultural traction, diversification and sustainable production, community employment, ritual purposes, social status and so on. Livestock contributes around 40% in the agricultural GDP and provides food security and livelihoods to 1.3 billion people globally. Of them, half a billion people in developing countries are dependent on farm animals. Nevertheless some 821 million people worldwide are undernourished due to lack in proteins and micronutrients readily available in animal-sourced food.

The developing countries, especially in Africa and Asia, are facing the critical issues of continuing growth of demand for animal-sourced foods, livestock as ‘living animal assets for essential livelihoods and nutritional security.

In most of AARDO member countries, some 70% of their population remains dependent on traditional agriculture and livestock for food and nutritional security and livelihoods.

There is a growing importance of livestock in rural economy of the AARDO member countries. Hence livestock production and value chain have to be enhanced and strengthened by making the improved feed quality available and using physical, chemical, biological or microbiological technologies to offset the animal-based food demand, livelihoods and sustainable inclusive economic growth.

This interactive training programme, spread over two weeks, comprises 13 technical sessions. During the course of training, the eminent experts/resource persons of MARDI will share their valuable experiences and success stories and highlight technological innovations and discuss solutions for maximizing livestock productivity through utilization of available resources. Their lectures will encompass sustainable livestock production; utilization of agriculture by-products in livestock farming; utilization of microbiology technology to enhance agriculture by-products as animal feed; agriculture by-products in ruminant and non-ruminant industry; the economic potential of agriculture by-products on livestock industry. They will also touch upon the adaptation of livestock systems to climate change and mitigating its impact on environment. The training programme will conclude on 26 August 2021.

International Online Training Programme on “Seed Production and Quality Evaluation”, ICAR-Indian Agricultural Research Institute (IARI)

28 July - 7 August

The ICAR- Indian Agricultural Research Institute (IARI), established in 1905, is India's National Institute for Agricultural Research, Education and Extension. It was entrusted with the responsibility of human resource development not only within the country, but for other developing countries as well. Division of Seed Science and Technology (DSST) of the Institute is the centre of excellence in seed research, teaching and trainings. Trainings on seed production, quality evaluation, seed health testing, seed marketing and plant variety protection have been imparted to officials of a number of countries, in collaboration with AARDO, FAO WAAPP, KEPHIS (Kenya), Government of India, etc.

AARDO in collaboration with the ICAR- Indian Agricultural Research Institute (IARI), organized an International Online Training Programme on “Seed Production and Quality Evaluation”, conducted by the Division of Seed Science & Technology, India, during 28 July-07 August, 2021. The broad objective of the programme was to share experiences and build capacity of the participants to address conceptual and technological issues in seed production and quality production.

The Programme was virtually inaugurated by H. E. Dr. Manoj Nardeosingh, Secretary General, AARDO on 28 July 2021. Delivering his inaugural address, Secretary General extended his sincere gratitude to Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR) for its kind support and cooperation for organizing specialized online training programme for the larger benefits of AARDO member countries. He also thanked Dr. D. K. Yadava, ADG (Seed), ICAR, Dr. Ashok Kumar Singh, Director, IARI, Course Director and faculty of Seed Science & Technology, IARI, for making excellent arrangements for successfully organizing the programme.

Expressing his gratitude to the esteemed member countries and participants for their overwhelming response, the Secretary General appreciated their keen interest and active participation. While highlighting the emerging issues in quality seed production, Secretary General highlighted that by 2050, the world population is expected to reach about 9.6 billion. This increase in population will be accompanied by increasing urbanization, rising income levels, and changes in consumption patterns, including a transition to diets that will include more milk, meat, fruit and vegetables. Agriculture will need to produce 60% more food globally by 2050, and 100% more in developing countries using the same limited available natural resources, especially land and water. Today, one of the main global challenges is how to ensure food and nutrition security for a growing population and increase in income of the people specially African-Asian countries. These countries are striving hard to transform their agriculture and rural development sectors though in many of them are combating with the daunting challenges of grappling poverty, hunger, food & nutritional insecurity, climate change, environmental degradation and so on. However, they are endeavoring to achieve their national goals for sustainable development by addressing these crucial issues through investment in agriculture, food processing, value addition, natural resource management, technological know-how and adaptable technologies for achieving sustainable livelihood and happiness. The quality seed is one of the pivotal inputs for sustained growth of agricultural sector and other inputs are contingent upon quality of seed for being optimally effective. Adequate quantity of quality of planting material at appropriate time and affordable cost is to be made available to every farmer for bringing about radical changes in agricultural development in African and Asian countries. While delivering his address, Chairperson of the session, Dr. D. K. Yadava, extended his warm regards to H.E. the Secretary General, AARDO and participants of the programme. Earlier, the Course Director, Dr. S.K. Chakrabarty, after welcoming the dignitaries and participants, introduced the contents of the programme. Dr. S. K. Lal, Course Coordinator extended a vote of thank to the dignitaries, participants and organizers.

The programme was attended by eighty one (81) participants from nineteen (19) countries, namely Bangladesh, R.O. China (Taiwan), Egypt, Eritrea, Gambia, Ghana, Jordan, Lebanon, Malaysia, Mauritius, Nigeria, Oman, Pakistan, Sri Lanka, Sudan, Syria, Tunisia, Yemen and Zambia which shows importance of the programme in African-Asian countries.

During the course of deliberations, eminent resource persons, scientists and experts addressed the pertinent issues such as seed production and supply systems; regulatory framework for seed quality assurance; principles & procedures of seed sampling, germination; determination of seed moisture contents, disease free seed production, post-harvest handling and safe storage of seed; plant variety protection, development, evaluation and release procedure; standards and practices of seed production (wheat, rice, maize, pearl/millets, sorghum, barley); genetic purity testing, seed vigour and viability testing; and seed industry with special reference to public-private partnership and entrepreneurship development.

The valedictory session of the programme was held on 07 August 2021 wherein Dr. S.K. Chakrabarty, Course Director and Dr. Sandeep Lal, Course Coordinator, delivered their concluding remarks and thanked AARDO for collaboration and support for conducting this important progarmme at IARI for larger benefit of AARDO member countries. On behalf of H.E. the Secretary General, AARDO, Dr. Khushnood Ali, Head, Research Division, AARDO extended his sincere gratitude to ICAR, Director, IARI, faculty members, resource persons/experts, course Director & Coordinator and all the participants for their contributions and active participation in making the programme successful. Highlighting the need and importance of the networking in the context of changing global scenario, he urged the participants to keep in touch through virtual platforms and share their successful experiences and innovative strategies of their respective countries for greater benefits to flow to all stakeholders in African-Asian countries. He also invited the participants and faculty of ICAR-IARI to contribute research articles for AARDO Journal. Participants from Bangladesh, Egypt, Gambia, Ghana and Zambia shared their experiences and given important feedback on the programme. A vote of thank was extended by the Course Coordinator, Dr. Sandeep Lal.

AARDO - MARDI International Training Programme on “Transfer of Technology and Entrepreneurship Development”

26 July - 5 August

AARDO, in collaboration with Malaysian Agricultural Research and Development Institute (MARDI), organized an International Training Programme on “Transfer of Technology and Entrepreneurship Development” (Online mode) in the context of MoU signed between the two Organizations to leverage on affordable technology and technological solutions for agricultural and rural development in the member countries.

As majority of AARDO member countries is agrarian in nature and predominantly characterized by marginal and small holders, AARDO strongly contemplates that agro and food processing enterprises could consistently promote innovation and inclusive growth, especially in rural areas and hence, gears all efforts towards their buoyancy and dynamism.

This international training programme is being jointly organized (online mode) to share Malaysian experiences of transforming agriculture sector into agro-based industry through innovative agro-processing, improved quality of traditional products and enhanced production system developed by MARDI.

The inauguration of the programme was virtually officiated by H E Dr. Manoj Nardeosingh, Secretary General, AARDO following the opening remarks by Dato' Dr. Mohamad Zabawi Abdul Ghani, Director General, MARDI on 26th July 2021.

The programme is being attended by forty-nine (49) experts and functionaries in relevant fields from sixteen (16) member countries, namely, Bangladesh, Republic of China (Taiwan), Egypt, Gambia, India, Jordan, Mauritius, Morocco, Nigeria, Namibia, Oman, Pakistan, Sri Lanka, Sudan, Syria and Zambia.

During this two-week programme consisting of 13 technical sessions, the eminent experts of MARDI will share their valuable experiences with case studies and discuss the role of their institution and its approaches towards transferring innovations and technologies to Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises for enhancement of livelihood and socio-economic development.

AARDO-IIT Delhi Online Training Programme on “Agri-tech Solutions and Approaches to Sustainable Rural Development” Centre for Rural Development & Technology (CRDT) Indian Institute of Technology Delhi, India

21 - 25 June

African Asian Rural Development Organisation (AARDO and Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Delhi jointly organised an international training programme on “Agritech Solutions and Approaches to Sustainable Rural Development” (online mode) during 21-25 June 2021. It was the second programme in series following the MoU to leverage on affordable technology and technological solutions for agricultural and rural development.

The main objectives of the programme were to disseminate the technology options as agri-tech solutions, underline the importance of traceability as quality hallmark, highlight as alternate source of income, discuss the social aspect of technologies, and demonstrate as model start-ups.

The inauguration of the programme was virtually officiated by H E Dr Manoj Nardeosingh, Secretary General, AARDO following a welcome address delivered by Prof. Vijayaraghavan M Chariar, Head (Officiating) of Centre for Rural Development and Technology, Indian Institute of Technology Delhi on 21st June 2021.

The programme was attended by forty six (46) experts and functionaries in the relevant fields from sixteen (16) AARDO member countries, namely, Bangladesh, Republic of China (Taiwan), Egypt, Ghana, Jordan, Malaysia, Mauritius, Nigeria, Namibia, Oman, Pakistan, Palestine, Sri Lanka, Sudan, Syria and Tunisia.

The world population is reaching an estimated 9.7 billion by 2050 and global food demand projected to increase to somewhere between 59% and 98%. The Food production systems and supply chains would be more critical in Africa and some parts of Asia, where agriculture provides livelihood to 70% of the population. Most of the African-Asian countries, largely dependent on agriculture, face technological challenges to cope with the prevailing and foreseeable situation.

With a view to address this problem and overcome challenges, this programme was organized to disseminate a network and toolkit of low-cost technologies for sustainable agriculture and rural development.

Aiming at closing technological gaps, the programme provided a deeper insight of the traceability of agricultural produce and its importance in global trade, highlighted innovative and vibrant rural enterprises, Mushrooms as a source of Nutraceuticals, integrated approaches to water resource management, and bottom-up approach to sustainable development. The eminent faculty members of the Centre for Rural Development and Technology, IIT Delhi shared case studies and deliberated on the subject.

The programme successfully concluded with a positive feedback of the participants and an overall evaluation by Programm Director Prof Kavya Dashora, followed by valedictory remarks by Dr. S.M. Ovais, Head, CB & DP Division, AARDO on 25th June 2021.

AARDO - IIT Delhi Online Training Programme on “Clean Energy Solutions and Waste Management for Sustainable Development”

14 - 18 June

An International Training Programme on “Clean Energy Solutions and Waste Management for Sustainable Development” (online mode) was organized during 14 -18 June 2021 to kick start implementation of MoU singed between AARDO and Indian Institute of Technology Delhi on February 3, 2021, to leverage on affordable technology and technological solutions for agricultural and rural development.

Agricultural waste is one of the biggest challenges and difficult to dispose of due to being a source of contaminant to water bodies. With a view to address these challenges, this programme was organized to disseminate a network and toolkit of low-cost technologies suitable for sustainable green and clean energy at rural level. It included case studies, group exercises and discussions along with online content delivery.

The inauguration of the programme was virtually officiated by H E Dr Manoj Nardeosingh, Secretary General, AARDO following a welcome address delivered by Prof. Anushree Malik, Institute Chair Professor and Head of Centre for Rural Development and Technology, Indian Institute of Technology Delhi on 14th June 2021.

The programme was attended by forty-six (46) experts and functionaries in the relevant fields from fifteen (15) countries, namely, Algeria, Bangladesh, R O China (Taiwan), Egypt, Ghana, India, Jordan, Mauritius, Oman, Pakistan, Sudan, Sri Lanka, Syria, Tunisia, and Zambia.

Based on five technical sessions, spread over a week, the programme was aimed to expose the participants to innovative low-cost technologies, clean energy solutions and waste management for sustainable development.

The main objectives of this programme were to highlight the available alternate technology options; share success stories of the significance of generating biofuels for rural setup; address the challenges of rural / municipal solid waste; and highlight the basics of biogas generation and importance of clean energy in rural development. It encompassed - Biogas for Energy and Waste Management; Green Decentralized Systems for Waste Water Management and Biofuel Production; Role of Clean Energy in Development; Municipal Solid Waste Management; and Basics of Biogas & its Role in Sustainable Rural Energy and Agriculture.

Opening the technical session, Prof V K Vijay, IREDA Chair Professor and National Coordinator, Unnat Bharat Abhiyan (Movement for progressive India) delivered a lecture on “Bio-energy, Biogas for energy, self-reliance in rural areas, livelihood & waste management”. Prof Vijay provided an interesting insight of India’s Bioenergy situation. He informed that with over 300 million cattle population and 4.5 million domestic biogas plants, India held an immense potential to install around 12 million biogas plants. He discussed about Biogas production, utilization and its importance in the wake of environmental and economic challenges. He has lucidly explained about the role of technology in conversion of organic substances and biomass into biofertilizers and biofuels, which are largely benefiting domestic, agricultural, industrial and transportation sectors. During his discourse, Prof. Vijay also touched upon the environmental and economic implications of the application of technology.

In her lecture on ‘Green Decentralized Systems for Wastewater Management and Biofuel Production’, Prof Anushree Malik lucidly explained as how the overall system works. Highlighting the interesting technological site, she briefly described process of treatment and decentralised treatment of wastewater and sewage water through Anaerobic Baffle Reactor and Biogas reactors. Sharing various case studies undertaken by her team, Prof Malik exposed the technologies for Algal biomass production on wastewaters and its utility in sustainable development.

Prof. Priyanka Kaushal talked about ‘The Role of Clean Energy in Development’. Giving an overview of India’s energy scenario, Prof Kaushal highlighted as how the energy dependence was shifting towards alternate and clean energy resources and efforts were being made to bring about viable solutions in the wake of impending challenges. Prof. Kaushal deliberated upon energy-driven social exclusion, urban-rural divide demonstrating a few innovative technology solutions for Biomass conversion into clean energy sources.

The issue pertaining to ‘Municipal Solid Waste Management (MSW)’ was touched upon by Dr Pooja Ghosh. She talked about the biological conversion of MSW, treatment techniques and their products, etc.

Biogas is gaining popularity in agriculture and industrial sector for its utmost utility. Dr Ram Chandra talked about the “Basics of Biogas and its Role in Sustainable Rural Energy and Agriculture” Dr Chandra highlighting various innovative technologies developed to convert Biomass resources into Biogas which was being increasingly used as fertilizer and sustainable rural energy for agriculture and households respectively. Explaining how the technology helps conservation of environment and sustaining ecological balance, Dr Chandra proposed an interesting agribusiness model using biogas.

With a positive feedback of the participants, an overall evaluation by Programm Director Prof Kavya Dashora followed by valedictory remarks by Dr. S.M. Ovais, Head, CB & DP Division, AARDO, the programme concluded successfully on 18th June 2021.

AARDO - AHKNCRD online training programme on “Climate Change: Implications and Adaptation”

31 May - 4 June

AARDO, in collaboration with the Establishment Division (Prime Minister’s Office), Government of Pakistan and the Regional Office of AARDO for South and Central Asia organized an online International Training Programme on “Climate Change: Implications and Adaptation”, at Akhtar Hameed Khan National Centre for Rural Development (AHKNCRD), Islamabad, Pakistan, during 31st May- 4th June, 2021 with the specific objectives to i) raise awareness and amplify discourse on factors contributing to climate change, its adverse impact and possible solutions; ii) reflect on possible mitigation and adaptation strategies in local and regional contexts; iii) provide a forum for sharing of relevant experiences and strategies to address climate change in African and Asian regions.

The Programme was virtually inaugurated by H. E. Dr. Manoj Nardeosingh, Secretary General, AARDO on 31st May 2021. Delivering his inaugural address, HE Secretary General extended his sincere gratitude to the esteemed Government of the Islamic Republic of Pakistan for its kind support and generous contribution for organizing this specialized online training programme for the larger benefits of AARDO member countries. He also thanked Mr. Israr Mohammad Khan, Director General, AHKNCRD & Honorary Regional Representative of AARDO for South and Central Asia and his able faculty members and staff for making excellent arrangements for successfully organizing the programme. Expressing his gratitude to the esteemed member countries and participants for their overwhelming response, the Secretary General appreciated their keen interest and active participation. While highlighting the emerging issues of climate change, Secretary General highlighted that the majority of people in the developing countries live in rural areas and depends on agriculture and allied activities for their livelihood, thus climate change directly impacts their sustainability. The least developed and developing countries are more vulnerable to climate change because of their geographic exposure, low incomes and greater reliance on climate sensitive sectors, particularly agriculture. There is now international acknowledgement that efforts to mitigate impact of climate change must be systematically integrated into policies, plans and programmes for sustainable development and poverty reduction, and supported through bilateral, regional and international cooperation, including partnerships.

While welcoming all delegates, Mr. Israr Mohammad Khan, Director General, NCRD extended his warm regards to H.E. the Secretary General, AARDO and participants of the online programme. In his welcome address, he stated that the course has timely initiated and informed the participants that during the course of deliberations, the pertinent issues and potentials will be thoroughly addressed by the eminent resource persons and the participants. He expected that this platform will provide an excellent opportunity to the participants to get exposed to the rich and varied Pakistani experiences on the subject. Earlier, Course Director, AHKNCRD, Dr. Abdul Rehman Khan Niazi introduced the contents of the programme.

The programme was attended by ninety four (94) participants from seventeen (17) countries, namely Bangladesh, R.O. China (Taiwan), Egypt, Iraq, Jordan, Kenya, Malaysia, Mauritius, Nigeria, Oman, Sri Lanka, Sudan, Syria, Tunisia, Thailand, Zambia and the host country-Pakistan which shows importance of the programme in African-Asian countries.

During the course of deliberation, important issues such as: i) Climate Change – Key Concepts and Global Perspective; ii) Climate Change in Afro-Asian Region – Concerns and Vulnerability; iii) Impact of Climate Change on Agriculture and Food Security: Implications and Adaptations; iv) Climate Change Impact on Ecological Balance and Biodiversity; v) Climate Change – Health Issues and Mitigation Strategies; and vi) Disaster Risk Reduction through Climate Change Mitigation & Adaptation were addressed by the eminent resource persons from various specialized Institutions of Pakistan. The interactive and participatory approach adopted got the participants fully involved in sharing their country specific experiences among themselves and with the resource persons as well.

The valedictory session of the training programme was held on 04 June, 2021 under the chairmanship of Mr. Israr Mohammad Khan, Director General AHKNCRD & Honorary Regional Representative of AARDO for Central and South Asia. In his valedictory address. Mr. Ishar Mohammad Khan thanked H.E Dr. Manoj Nardeosingh, Secretary General, AARDO, for collaboration and support for conducting this important progarmme for larger benefit of AARDO member countries. He also expressed his gratitude to Dr. Khushnood Ali, Head, Research Division, AARDO, for the wonderful collaboration and support for the success of the programme. He also thanked all the participants for their active participation and the resource persons for sharing their experiences and expertise with the participants. On behalf of H.E. the Secretary General, AARDO, Dr. Khushnood Ali, Head, Research Division, AARDO thanked the esteemed Government of the Islamic Republic of Pakistan, Director General, AHKNCRD, faculty members, speakers, course Director, Coordinator and all the participants for their contributions and active participation in making the programme successful. Highlighting the need and importance of the networking in the context of changing global scenario, he requested all delegates to keep in touch through virtual platforms and share the successful experiences and innovative strategies of their respective countries for larger benefit of the concerned stakeholders in African-Asian countries. Earlier Dr. Abdul Rehman Khan Niazi, Course Director, presented a brief report on five days deliberations and extended his since gratitude to all the participants, Director General, AHKNCRD and especially to the Secretary General, AARDO.

Innovative Marketing Models for Smallholder’s Agriculture

05 - 09 April

AARDO, in collaboration with Indian Institute of Management- Jammu (IIMJ), organised an International Online Training programme on above titled theme from 5th to 9th April 2021. The programme was attended by 52 registered participants from 18 AARDO member countries namely; Bangladesh, Egypt, Republic of China (Taiwan), Gambia, Ghana, Jordan, Lebanon, Mauritius, Nigeria, Oman, Pakistan, Palestine, Sri Lanka, Sudan, Swaziland (Kingdom of Eswatini), Tunisia, Yemen and Zambia.

The programme commenced on 5th April with an introductory note by the Programme Director Prof. Jabir Ali, IIM Jammu and a brief presentation about AARDO by Dr S M Ovais, Head Capacity Building & Development Project Division, ARDO. While a welcome address was delivered by Prof. B S Sahay, Director, IIM Jammu, H.E. Dr. Manoj Nardeosingh, Secretary General, AARDO officiated the inauguration of the programme.

In his welcome address, Prof. B S Sahay, Director, IIM Jammu expressed gratitude to H E the Secretary General, AARDO for continuing support in cementing cooperation with his institution as a knowledge partner. Appreciating the initiative for collaborative online training programmes, Prof. Sahay emphasized on conducting joint studies to come out with viable solutions to overcome the impending challenges of smallholders as they make the majority of farming community in AARDO member countries. He also highlighted the importance of cross-cultural learning for policy design and programme implementation for smallholders.

H E Dr Manoj Nardeosingh, the Secretary General, AARDO thanked the member countries and participants for their keen interest in the programme. While expressing his gratitude to Director, IIM Jammu for his able guidance, Secretary General appreciated the learned faculty members for meticulous planning and designing the training modules and excellent organisation of the online programme. Reiterating his continuing support, he assured of sealing the MoU with IIM Jammu soon and emphasised to jointly work for leveraging technologies, disruptors, accelerators and multipliers, which are capable of promoting African Asian Solidarity and South-South and Triangular Cooperation. He underlined that the Africa Free Trade Agreement, encompassing the largest number of countries, and the UN Food Systems Summit 2021 are excellent opportunities to be tapped. He underscored the corroborating efforts of AARDO’s programmes with UNSDGs and AU Agenda 2063 to help the member countries in achieving sustainable agricultural and rural development.

This programme with the predominance of smallholders in most of the African-Asian countries where agriculture is constrained by poor market linkages, impeding remunerative price support, low-quality inputs and lack of innovate technologies, designs of sustainable business models and fair value-chain is becoming crucial.

There was also a dire need to implement comprehensive and coherent policies, investments and institutional frameworks that support smallholders farming.

With this backdrop, this online training programme was organised with the aim to understand the agricultural marketing systems for smallholders agriculture; evaluate the process of integrating smallholders’ farmers into modern marketing systems and retail supply chains; understand the role of technology, information system and infrastructure in creating agricultural marketing systems for smallholders; and share practical knowledge and experiences with the participants.

While the programme highlighted the importance of integration of smallholders into value chains ensuring higher and fairer income on the one hand, it came up with a suitable policy framework for reducing obstacles of stakeholders on the other. The resource persons mainly focussed on ‘Innovative marketing models for small farmers’, ‘APMC-Creating agricultural marketing system’, ‘Developing contract in agriculture’, ‘Managing marketing innovation’, ‘Futures and options for managing price risk in Agriculture, ‘e-NAM- Helping a better price discovery for small farmers’, ‘ITC e-Choupal: A model for integrating marketing value chain’, and ‘Strengthening agricultural marketing infrastructure’. Target officials from AARDO member countries shared and enhanced their knowledge in the field of marketing for smallholders agriculture through innovative models.

The programme successfully concluded on 9th April 2021 with presentations of the case studies by participants on their respective countries, programme evaluation by Programme Director, Prof. Jabir Ali and valedictory remarks by Dr S M Ovais, Head Capacity Building & Development Project Division, AARDO.

AARDO - IITM Online International Training on “A Panorama of Affordable Innovative Technologies and Solutions for Rural Development”

22 March 2021 - 01 April 2021

AARDO, in collaboration with the Indian Institute of Technology, Madras (IITM), Chennai, India organised an online international training programme on the above titled theme during 22 March-01 April, 2021. This provided a forum for sharing innovative affordable technologies as well as developing framework and policies for swift transfer of rural technologies among AARDO member countries aiming at improving livelihoods of rural people.

The inaugural session of the programme, held on 22nd March 2021, was attended by more than 100 participants. Following the introductory remarks by Prof. Raghunathan Rengaswamy, Dean, Global Engagement. Welcome Address by Prof. Bhaskar Ramamurthi, Director, IITM and brief remarks by Mr. Paul Mahal, founder/CEO of Stanford Ventures, California, USA, the programme was virtually inaugurated by H. E. Dr Manoj Nardeosingh, Secretary General, AARDO. During his address, the Secretary General, stated that Technology transfer is viewed as an engine of growth for rural development. The AARDO Secretariat has provided a very prominent place to rural technology dissemination and an ecosystem aiming at raising awareness with respect to importance and application of rural technologies is being evolved.

The programme consisted of 08 technical sessions, in which, the faculty members of IIT Madras and other resource persons enlightened the participants on various aspects of innovative/affordable rural technologies, which play an important role in the rural transformation in African-Asian countries. During the training, detailed framework for transferring the technologies from lab to farm were also discussed.

The programme received an overwhelming registration of over 125 from twenty five (25) AARDO member countries, namely, Bangladesh, Burkina Faso, R. O. China (Taiwan), Egypt, Ethiopia, Ghana, India, Jordan, Kenya, Lebanon, Liberia, Malawi, Malaysia, Mauritius, Morocco, Namibia, Nigeria, Oman, Pakistan, Sierra Leone, Sri Lanka, Sudan, Syria, Tunisia, Zambia and four (4) eligible member countries, namely Afghanistan, Thailand, Uzbekistan and Vietnam. In addition, participants from three (3) International Organisations and seven (7) AARDO’s Centres of Excellence also attended. The active participation of such a large number of policy makers, academicians and technicians from Africa and Asia underscores the necessity and urgency of rapid and massive transfer of appropriate ad affordable technologies for rural transformation.

The valedictory session of the programme was held on 01st April 2021 wherein Prof. Sudarshan Padmanabhan and Dr. Abhijit P Deshpande of IIT Madras delivered their concluding remarks and thanked AARDO for fruitful collaboration. On behalf of AARDO, Dr Rajeshwar Dyal, Head, IEC Division delivered a vote of thanks for innovative contributions made by the professors of IITM and other Resource Persons with their extensive knowledge and experience in enhancing skills of the participants. He also thanked all the stakeholders involved in the planning, implementation and participation of the training. The programme concluded with an enthusiastic feedback from the participants, which underscore the necessity at rapid and massive transfer of innovative technologies to rural areas in Africa and Asia.

AARDO Online International Training on “Disruptive Agri-tech for Promotion of International Trade in the African Asian Countries (DATPITAAC)”

15-25 March

AARDO, in collaboration with the National Institute of Micro Small and Medium Enterprises (NIMSME), Hyderabad, India organized the above titled online international training programme during 15-25 March 2021. In all, 57 applicants from 18 countries registered online to attend the programme. The majority of the participants were from fifteen (15) AARDO Members and Prospective Countries namely, Algeria, Bangladesh, Egypt, Ethiopia, Ghana, R. O. Korea, Mauritius, Morocco, Nigeria, Oman, Pakistan, Sri Lanka, Sudan, Swaziland and Syria.

On 15 March 2021, the programme was virtually inaugurated by H E Dr Manoj Nardevsingh, Secretary General, AARDO, following the introductory remarks by the Programme Director Dr K Visweswara Reddy, Rector, ni-msme, and welcome address by Mrs Glory Swarupa, Director General, nimsme. The opening session was also graced by virtual presence of a guest speaker Dr P Chandrasekara, Director General, MANAGE.

In this two weeks international interactive programme, ni-msme imparted online training on Disruptive Agriculture Technologies for Promotion of International Trade in the AARDO member countries in Africa and Asia.

During the technical sessions, the faculty members of ni-msme and guest speakers from leading agriculture institutions ‘MANAGE’ and ICRISAT as well as experts from various start-ups delivered highly informative and engaging lectures/presentations highlighting various disruptive agriculture technologies capable of triggering of international trade among African-Asian countries.

The lectures, encompassing a wide range of aspects, underscored the significance of disruption of technologies in agriculture for promotion of its trade between the two continents of Africa and Asia. The presentations given by learned speakers/resource persons attempted to discuss various aspects that included ‘Understanding & Usage of Disruptive Agri-tech’, ‘Agricultural Productivity through Agri-tech’, ‘Government Policies for Promotion of Agri-tech’, ’Technology Disruption in Agri-based Clusters’, ‘Digital Disruption in Agriculture’, ‘Innovations & Techno-interventions in Mushroom Cultivation’, ‘Techno-intervention in for Market Access to Smallholders’, ‘Digital Enab led farm Equipment Hiring services’, ‘Various Platforms for e_Prodcuts’, ‘Data Analytics & Agricultural Intelligence’, ‘Agri-tech Diffusion for Farm Community’, ‘Export-led Agricultural Strategy’, and ‘Export Potential of Agro Food Products’.

The programme successfully concluded with a positive feedback from the participants, concluding remarks by Dr. S. M. Ovais, Head, CB&DP Division, AARDO and valedictory address by Mrs. Glory Swarupa, Director General, ni-msme followed by a vote of thanks delivered by Dr. K Visweswara Reddy.

AARDO : International Webinar Series of e-Lectures

AARDO pursues multi-pronged strategies to implement its technical activities mainly through (i) Human Resource Development (training programmes, workshops, seminars, deputation of experts, research studies, study visits, etc); (ii) financing of development pilot projects for income generation activities, social development, and development of rural infrastructure; (iii) dissemination of information, and (iv) networking and collaboration.

Keeping in view of the current Covid-19 pademic scenario and to accelerate networking and dissemination of information, AARDO has started “International Webinar Series of e-Lectures” to provide a platform for policy dialogue for high-level officers and capsule exposure to policymakers, researchers, and technicians working in the areas of agriculture and rural development. The first series is covering vital areas such as Green Revolution, Agro-Forestry, Community Radio, and Digital Technologies and Agricultural Informatics during March/April 2021.

11 March

The AARDO Secretariat organized its first e-Lecture on “Green Revolution: Indian Experiences Way forward for African-Asian Countries” on 11th March 2021 that was presented by Prof. Dr. R.P.Singh, Farming Systems Specialist, Former Director, (PDCRS) (ICAR), India.

18 March

As follow-up to the e-lecture series, AARDO successfully organized its second e-Lecture on “Importance of Agroforestry in Enhancing Food Security and Employment Generation in Rural Areas: Experiences from South Asia” on 18th March 2021. This fascinating and impressive lecture was presented by Dr. Javed Rizvi, Director, CIFOR-ICRAF South Asia Regional Programme, World Agroforestry Centre (ICRAF), India.

26 March

In Continuation to the e-lecture series, the third e-Lecture on “Role of Community Radio in Community Empowerment and Rural Development” on 26th March 2021was held. The lecture was presented by Prof. (Dr.) H. O. Srivastava, President & CEO, World Development Foundation and Former Additional Director General (Additional Secretary to Government of India), All India Radio & Doordarshan, India.

7 April

The first e-Lecture series ended with the e-Lecture the on “Emerging Digital technologies in Farming: Role of Agricultural Informatics as an Academic and Research Discipline” on 07 April 2021 was held. This lecture was presented by Prof. M. Moni, Former Director General, National Informatics Centre, Government of India, New Delhi, India.

Online International Training on Food Production and Processing Technologies for Sustainable Development

24 February - 04 March

AARDO, in collaboration with the National Institute of Micro Small and Medium Enterprises (NIMSME), Hyderabad, India organized above titled online international training during 24 February - 04 March 2021. It was attended by 45 participants from 13 AARDO members ’ countries, namely, Bangladesh, Egypt, Ethiopia, Ghana, Mauritius, Malaysia, Nigeria, Oman, Pakistan, Sri Lanka, Sudan, Syria and Zambia.

Following the introductory remarks by Dr. Shreekant Sharma, Programme Director and welcome address by Ms. Glory Swarupa, Director General, NIMSME, the programme was virtually inaugurated by H.E. Dr.Manoj Nardeosingh, Secretary General, AARDO on 24th February 2021.

In his address, the Secretary General thanked the faculty members of NIMSME for meticulous planning and designing the course module to conduct it online. Expressing his gratitude to the participating member countries, the Secretary General appreciated participants for their keen interest and hoped that, following the successful completion of the course, they would apply the learning of the programme in their respective assignments back at home.

The Secretary General, AARDO emphasized that food processing has emerged as one of the fastest growing sectors in most of the developing economies and has been identified as the fulcrum for agriculture moving towards manufacturing for enhanced farm level income in most of the African Asian countries.

During technical sessions of the programme, the faculty members of NIMSME and guest speakers from leading organizations /institutions delivered lectures on various facets of food production and processing Technologies for sustainable rural development. The lectures focused on “Business ideas for food entrepreneurship”, “Innovations in food processing and group approach of development”, “Agriculture production: an overview”, “Horticultural processing technologies”, “Meat and poultry value addition processing technologies”, “Dairy production and processing technology”, “Cereals processing and millet commercialization, “Fish processing technology”, “Agro & food processing business incubators”, “Intellectual Property Rights (IPR) for small business and technology commercialization”, “Food Safety and packaging for food processing”, “Integrated food supply chain management”, “Marketing for agro and food enterprises”, “Application of solar technologies for food business”, “Export potentialities of agro and food products”, and “Cluster development approach for promoting food enterprises”.

The programme successfully concluded with positive feedback from the participants and an overall evaluation and concluding remarks by Dr. S.M. Ovais, Head, CB & DP Division, AARDO, followed by a vote of thanks by the Programme Director.

Webinar on “Sharing and Exchange: The Land Information Ecosystem in the Arab Region”

16 February

AARDO extended an invitation to its Arabic speaking member countries for participation in the above titled webinar, jointly organised by the Land Portal Foundation, Netherlands; Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ) GmbH, Germany; and The Global Land Tool Network (GLTN), Kenya on 16 February 2021, with simultaneous translation provided from English to Arabic.

The webinar, attended by a large number of participants including from AARDO member countries, was held with the following objectives:

• identify information gaps in the region, including for land administration data, as well as, information for capacity development and about organisations and specialists working on land issues;
• to increase access to information and use it in order to address identified land rights issues, with a focus on the region; and
• identify the methodology to gather and communicate knowledge to reach a wider impact and be part of and promote the information ecosystem in the region.

Ms. Romy Sato from The Land Portal Foundation was the Panel Moderator where several experts including Ms. Laura Meggiolaro, Team leader in the Land Portal Foundation; Ms. Dina Naguib, Urban Planning Researcher, Housing & Building National Research Center, Cairo; Dr. Rafic Khouri, Senior Consultant to the Arab Land Initiative; Dr. Raed Gharib, CEO Seeds Jordan; and Ms. Everlyne Nairesiae, UN Habitat took part in the panel discussion on how different land stockholders in Arab region can build land information ecosystem that could be beneficial to all, identify the gaps and bridge them in terms of administration and information, capacity development, and other areas, as well as, explore simple steps that can help in sharing knowledge in a systematic and open way.

Online International Training on “Natural Resource Management and Climate Change Adaptation”

15 - 24 February

The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) concluded that the globally averaged surface temperature increased 0.6 ± 0.2°C in the 20th century. This warming trend is expected to persist with a 1.4 to 5.8°C predicted increase for the current century. Nonetheless, the recent report of IPCC 2018 shows that the mean temperature will rise by 1.5°C to 2.0°C by 2100. As a consequence, the climate related risks to human security, health, livelihood, food security, water supply and economic growth are projected to increase with global warming. Indian agricultural systems are highly affected by the inter-annual climate variability (droughts, floods, storms etc.) and become more vulnerable under the expected scenarios of climate change. Research studies have also confirmed that climate change (and variability) is happening, and societies must take the necessary steps to prepare themselves for adapting to the impacts. Adaptation strategies can overcome the adverse impact of climate change and endow rural people to cope with uncertainties and climate variability. People adopt and modify livelihood strategies as a response to environmental stress, of which climate variability and climate change are examples. The natural resource base reduced exposure to natural hazards and diversified livelihood activities can increase community resilience to future threats, including climate change. In fact, this approach to adaptation has the advantage of meeting immediate development needs while contributing to longer term capacity development that will create a basis for reducing future vulnerabilities.

Against this backdrop, AARDO, in collaboration with the National Institute of Rural Development & Panchayati Raj (NIRDPR), organized the above titled Online International Training Programme on “Natural Resource Management and Climate Change Adaptation”, Hyderabad, India, during 15-24 February 2021, exclusively for AARDO member countries. The broad objective of the programme was to share experiences and build capacity of the participants to address emerging issues in natural resource management and climate change adaptation. The specific objectives of programme were: i) to provide orientation about the climate change and variability, its impacts and their linkages for the need of adaptation strategies; ii) to understand climate change adaptation planning process and mapping the interventions to the risk; iii) to generate knowledge on the climate resilient interventions (production, technology, ecological and financial); and iv) to provide exposure to successful adaptation practices related to climate variability in the rural areas through in-house production based documentary films.

The programme was virtually inaugurated by H.E. Dr. Manoj Nardeosingh, Secretary General, AARDO on 15 February 2021. This session was also graced by Mrs. Radhika Rastogi, Deputy Director General, NIRDPR.

While welcoming the delegates and highlighting the importance of the subject, H.E. Dr. Manoj Nardeosingh encouraged the delegates to share their experiences and cross fertilize ideas to be able to collectively find applicable solutions to contemporary and impending challenges in natural resource management and climate change adaptation, especially in a context where the on-going pandemic has unfortunately crippled economies and seriously affected the livelihood of millions of people, mainly in rural areas. Excellency highlighted the role of governments and acknowledged that many governments are responding to the dire need for appropriate support for a V-shaped bouncing back and to re-establish broken links for sustainable agricultural and rural development. Acknowledging the ripple effect of COVID-19, Excellency emphasized that one clear message that emerges is that ‘business-as-usual’ is not an option and there was a dire need to review existing policies and adjust strategies in natural resource management and climate change adaptation for sustainable agriculture and rural development. Mrs. Radhika Rastogi, Deputy Director General, NIRDPR also delivered her inaugural address and shared experiences with the participants by elaborating on various practical ways viz., individuals, communities, and countries are required to review consumption and production patterns.

The programme was attended by fifty two (52) participants from fifteen (15) AARDO member countries, namely, Bangladesh, Egypt, Ethiopia, Ghana, Jordan, Liberia, Mauritius, Nigeria, Oman, Pakistan, Sri Lanka, Sudan, Tunisia, Yemen and Syria. This overwhelming response was an encouraging affirmative indicator conspicuously proving the importance of the programme among AARDO member countries.

During the course of deliberations, important issues such as i) Concept and Scope of Natural Resource Management; ii) Conceptual understanding of Climate Change and Climate Variability; iii) Climate Change Impacts and Vulnerability; iv) Climate Change Adaptation and Planning; v) Climate Resilient Interventions through Production, Technology Finance and Ecology; vi) Watershed Development and Community Participation; and vii) Institutional Arrangements for NRM & CC Adaption and Demonstration of Best Practices were addressed by the eminent scholars and faculty of NIRDPR. In fact, the programme schedule of the training was well designed and triggered extensive and lively deliberations and discussions. The concluding session held on 24 February, 2021 was addressed by Dr. Khushnood Ali, Head, Research Division, AARDO and Prof. Ravindra S. Gavali, Course Director, NIRDPR.

AARDO-IIML Online International Training on “Contemporary and Strategic Issues in Food and Agribusiness Management”

04 - 09 February

The food and agribusiness industry, today, is facing unprecedented changes on various fronts such as: continuously increasing globalization in the sector leading to rise of global enterprises in the world’s food chain; rapidly & radically changing consumer food preferences; introduction of novel concepts like genetically engineered food and organic farming; and societal concern about sustainability of agriculture. This implies new historical relationships for agri-food systems, including new relationships among nations and states. These transformations have a fundamental impact on the way agribusiness activities are conceived and managed, and hence, agribusinesses can no longer afford to be insensitive to these changes. Policy makers, implementers and business managers working in the agribusiness sector need to be aware of and factor in these issues so as to be able to develop and implement effective matching strategies.

Keeping in view the current scenario, AARDO, in collaboration with the Indian Institute of Management Lucknow (IIML), organized above titled during 04-09 February, 2021 exclusively for AARDO member countries with the following specific objectives : i) to understand the changes in the world food market and the emerging challenges; ii) to raise farmers’ income through value addition, certification, and better bargaining power; and iii) to provide a forum for sharing policies, programmes and strategies with regard to food and agribusiness management.

The programme was virtually inaugurated by H. E. Dr Manoj Nardeosingh, Secretary General, AARDO. While welcoming the delegates, Excellency highlighted that in pre pandemic time, the food and agricultural sectors in developing countries, especially in AARDO member countries were undergoing significant transformation, where the relative importance of high value food items such as fruits, vegetables, milk, meat and poultry were significantly increasing. Excellency suggested that the stern contemporary and impending challenges, faced in food and agribusiness management warrant speedy access to affordable, innovative and disruptive technologies and solutions on a larger and sustainable scale by integrating all the stakeholders. Moreover, with a low processing percentage in agriculture, the African-Asian region offers huge potential in agro processing, especially with free trade possibilities among African Union nations with the coming in force of the African Continental Free Trade Agreement. This free-trade area being one of the largest in the world in terms of the number of participating countries has to be fully tapped in attaining food security, income and employment generation. Prof. Sushil Kumar, Course Director, IIM also addressed the gathering and introduced the contents of the programme.

The programme was attended by forty two (42) participants from seventeen (17) countries, namely, Afghanistan, Bangladesh, R.O. China (Taiwan), Egypt, Gambia, Ghana, Jordan, Kenya, Malaysia, Mauritius, Oman, Pakistan, Palestine, Sri Lanka, Syria, Tunisia and Zambia. This overwhelming response was a positive indicator showing importance of the programme among AARDO member countries.

During the course of deliberation, important issues such as: i) Contemporary Leadership Challenges in Food and Agribusiness Management; ii) Value Addition Opportunities Near Farm/or at Farm Gate; iii) Role of Certification and Integrating the Supply Chain; and iv) Institutions for Increasing Bargaining Power of the Producers were addressed by the eminent resource persons and faculty of IIML. The interactive and participatory approach adopted got the participants fully involved in sharing their country specific experiences among themselves and with the resource persons as well. On 09 February 2021, the concluding session was held. On behalf of H.E. the Secretary General, AARDO, Dr. Khushnood Ali, Head, Research Division, while delivering his closing remarks, thanked Prof. Sushil Kumar, Course Director, IIML and all the participants for their invaluable deliveries, contributions and active participation in making the programme successful. For Full Report of the Programme please click here.

AARDO and IIT, Delhi sign MoU.

The African-Asian Rural Development Organization (AARDO) signed an MoU with Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Delhi, an Institution of Eminence, on 03 February 2021, to cooperate and collaborate for agricultural and rural development through technological interventions/solutions and capacity enhancement.

This historic collaboration aims at empowering the rural communities including smallholders as well as extension workers by equipping them with technical know-how and adaptable & affordable technological solutions. It further aims to help the concerned government functionaries, planners and policy makers in creating an echo system and viable environment for fast adoption of technological interventions to transform rural economies in the AARDO member countries.

The MoU was signed by His Excellency Dr Manoj Nardeosingh, Secretary General on behalf of AARDO and Prof. V Ramgopal Rao, Director, on behalf of IIT Delhi.

The cooperation between AARDO and IIT Delhi will enhance the scope and scale of technological interventions mainly in the fields of Food Quality & Safety, Sustainable Agriculture, Food Processing & Value-addition, Water & Waste Management, Bio-energy, Biomass, Biogas, Sustainable Housing, Ecological Sanitation towards Development, Diffusion, Transfer and Adoption of Innovative/Appropriate Technologies.

This collaboration will provide the framework for IIT Delhi, particularly its Centre for Rural Development and Technology (CRDT) to extend its outreach from India to the rural communities in AARDO member countries and to address challenges faced by them in improving their quality of life.

The CRDT has already developed and may transfer technologies in areas such as food quality and safety, sustainable agriculture, algal bio-energy, biomass technologies, biogas technologies, ecological sanitation, value-added food products, water & waste management, sustainable housing etc.

Welcoming the MoU with IIT Delhi, His Excellency Dr Manoj Nardeosingh, Secretary General, AARDO underlined that “AARDO member countries would immensely benefit from the synergy foreseen with the collaboration between IIT Delhi and AARDO and their networks by leveraging on technological solutions developed by India's eminent specialists and appropriate interventions to transform rural areas in Africa and Asia and hence, assisting them in achieving inclusive growth, UNSDGs and AU 2063”.

Prof V Ramgopal Rao, Director, IIT Delhi stated that “his institution puts strong emphasis on investing in research areas of social and national/international importance such as rural development. This collaboration would facilitate the diffusion of high-end technologies to strengthen the rural communities”.

Prof Anushree Malik, Head, CRDT hoped that “the forthcoming collaboration with AARDO, initiated by CRDT and (Unnat Bharat Abhiyan (UBA), will widen the network in the African-Asian region and provide a unique platform for consultation and dissemination of appropriate technologies”

Online International Training on “Information & Communication Technology and Geo-informatics Application in Rural Development”

18 - 28 January

AARDO, in collaboration with National Institute of Rural Development and Panchayati Raj (NIRDPR), organized a two weeks’ online international training programme on above title theme on 18-28 January 2021.

Following the formal welcome by Dr. P. Kesava Rao, Programme Director, H.E.Dr .Manoj Nardeosingh, Secretary General, AARDO officially inaugurated the propgrammeon 18 January 2021. The programme was attended by 29 participants from AARDO members countries and prospective member, namely, Algeria, Bangladesh, R.O.China (Taiwan), Egypt, Lebanon, Mauritius, Malaysia, Morocco, Namibia, Nigeria, Oman, Pakistan, Palestine, Sri Lanka and Sudan.

In his inaugural remarks, H.E. the Secretary General thanked the faculty members for meticulous planning and designing the course module and making impeccable arrangements to conduct the programme online. Expressing his gratitude to the esteemed member countries, the Secretary General appreciated participants for their keen interest and hoped that, following the successful completion of the course, they would apply the learning from the programme, in their respective assignments back at home.

The Secretary General also emphasized that recent developments in ICT and Geo-informatics have introduced a plethora of opportunities in every conceivable area since these technologies as enabler have broken all bounds of cost, distance and time. The fusion of computing and communications through internet has also reduced the world into a global village in creating new actors and new environments.Geospatial and geo-morphologic mapping of forests, wastelands, land-use/land-cover, agriculture, soil, water as well as the minerals have unearthed the potential resources. He further stated that these technologies have made it possible to protect, restore and promote sustainable use of terrestrial ecosystems, sustainably manage forests, combat desertification, land degradation and halt biodiversity losses. Appreciating the ICT- basede-Governance, he hoped that it would be gaining momentum and rapidly transforming the rural economy towards noticeable knowledge intensive activities.

During technical sessions of the programme, the faculty members of NIRDPR and learned speakers from a few leading organizations/institutions delivered lectures on various facets of Information Communication Technologies and geo-informatics tools used in Rural Development. The lectures/presentations mainly focused on “Applications of ICT in Rural Development and concepts of Big Data”; “Concepts of Data Analytics and Tools”; ”Overview of MIS - Design and Development Process”; “Concept of e-Governance and case study on e-District Application”; “Introduction to Geo-informatics and its applications in Rural Development”; “Satellite Data Sources, Digital Image Processing techniques for Natural Resource Management”; “GIS Data Types, Spatial Analytical tools and applications in Rural Development”; and “Global Positioning System (GPS)/GNSS Principles: Concepts and Applications in Rural Development”.

The programme successfully completed with feedback from the participants and an overall evaluation by the Programme Directors. Dr S M Ovais, Head, CB &DP Division, AARDO delivered a vote of thanks. Expressing his gratitude to the esteemed Institution as well as to the participating countries, he applauded the cooperation and contribution so extended by the distinguished faculty members, speakers and all the participants for making the programme meaningful and successful.

Online Regional Workshop on “Best Practices and Programmes of Microfinance: Experience from AARDO’s Arabic Speaking Member Countries”

1 - 5 January

AARDO, in collaboration with its Regional Office for North & Eastern Africa, Cairo, organized the above titled online regional workshop for Arabic speaking countries, during 1-5 January 2021, which was attended by 24 participants/experts from six (6) Arabic speaking member/prospective member countries, namely, Algeria, Egypt, Morocco, Oman, Sudan, and Yemen and the officials from AARDO headquarters and its Regional Office.

The program was inaugurated on 1st January 2021, in which, after opening remarks by Mr. Mohamed Hassan Rashwan, Honorary Regional Representative of AARDO for North & Eastern Africa, address of H.E. Dr. Manoj Nardeosingh, Secretary General, AARDO was read out by Mr. Mohammad Naimuddin, Translation Officer (Arabic).

In his address, the Secretary General expressed his gratitude to the Honorary Regional Representative of AARDO and Government of Egypt. He also thanked esteemed member countries for their response and thanked all the participants for showing keen interest in the programme. He hoped that the participants would learn from Egypt’s rich experience. The Secretary General highlighted the importance and need of microfinance as a tool for poverty alleviation through income generating activities and hence improving the living conditions of poor people, especially empowerment of women. The Secretary General also, requested all the participants to register as Alumni of AARDO program to network and identify successful replicable models, which could be supported by AARDO.

The programme consisted of five (5) technical sessions, in which prominent experts delivered lectures on different aspects of microfinance including: Introduction of Microfinance; Legal forms of Institutions; Work Nature of Institutions; Credit Analysis; Principals of Client Analysis; Client Analysis Activity; Estimation of Funding Amount; Portfolio Management; Following up for Recoveries/unpaid Balances; Policies and Conditions; Fund releasing course; Incentives; Communication and Dialogue Management; Customer service; and Preparation of Reports. As well as, the participants exchanged their experiences through the open discussions and paper presentations.

The programme was successfully completed on 5th January 2021. On behalf of AARDO, Mr. Mohammad Naimuddin, Translation Officer (Arabic) presented a vote of thanks. He expressed his gratitude to the Honorary Regional Representative of AARDO for North & Eastern Africa, experts and all the participants, as well as the organizing team, and applauded their cooperation and contribution for making the programme successful. He requested all participants to remain in touch to network and share the successful experiences of their respective countries with AARDO for wider dissemination.