CIRDAP – Enabling Rural Communities

Centre on Integrated Rural Development for Asia and the Pacific (CIRDAP)

An Intergovernmental & Autonomous Organization; Established in 1979, Mandated for Promoting & Strengthening Integrated Rural Development Systems for 15 Asia-Pacific Countries; Namely Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Fiji, India, Indonesia, IR Iran, Lao PDR, Malaysia, Myanmar, Nepal, Pakistan, Philippines, Sri Lanka, Thailand & Vietnam.

Author name: Tarek Hasan

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Int. Training on GIM in Rural Development

CIRDAP in collaboration with the National Institute for Rural Development and Panchayati Raj (NIRD&PR) is organising an International Training Programme on Geospatial Information Management (GIM) in Rural Development to be held on 19-28 March 2019 in Hyderabad, India. Nominations are expected from CIRDAP member countries. The participants will be mid and senior-level government officials dealing with Geo – Spatial Information Management (GIM) or Geographic Information System (GIS) from relevant government or non-government organizations. Official nominations should be come through CIRDAP contact ministry with the prescribed nomination form and sent to training@cirdap.org by 18 February 2019. Before starting the application process, kindly read the “Application Procedure” very carefully. Training Code: TF-192-NIRD-2019 Training Title: CIRDAP-NIRD&PR Collaborative International Training Programme on Geo-spatial Information Management (GIM) in Rural Development Timing and Duration: 19-28 March 2019 (10 days, excluding arrival and departure) Venue: NIRD&PR, Hyderabad, India Download following documents: Application Procedure Nomination Form Training Brief Participant’s Medical form

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Planning Workshop for CIRDAP National Coordinators

CIRDAP is organizing a Planning Workshop for the CIRDAP National Coordinators on 11-13 March 2019 in Cumilla, Bangladesh. The Governing Council (GC -21) meeting in Manila, Philippines in 2017, approved CIRDAP’s Strategic Plan 2018-2022, in which the Secretariat was impressed upon the need to strengthen coordination on between CIRDAP, the CMCs, CLIs and development partners. To reinforce its effort to achieve the Strategic Plan and better coordination, each member countries has appointed a CIRDAP National Coordinator to act as focal point of coordination between the above institutions, especially on programme activities. This planning workshop is intended to bring together National Coordinators of all CIRDAP Member Countries to orient and brainstorm on CIRDAP programme activities for better planning.  The main purpose of the Workshop is for coordinators – (i) to participate in the planning of the revised 2019 programmes and proposed biannual 2020-2021 programmes; (ii) to communicate with the National Coordinators’ (NC) on the system and processes of CIRDAP; and (iii) to provide the opportunity for NCs’ to share their good practices on selected rural development programme(s). It is expected that this workshop will enhance the capacity of the national coordinator and enable them to contribute for sustainable rural development in their respective countries.

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Int. Training on Social Audit in Rural Development Programmes

The Centre on Integrated Rural Development for Asia and the Pacific (CIRDAP) in collaboration with the National Institute for Rural Development and Panchayati Raj (NIRD&PR) is organising an International Training Programme on Social Audit in Rural Development Programmes to be held on 19-28 March 2019 in Hyderabad, India. Nominations are expected from CIRDAP member countries. The participants will be mid and senior-level government officials dealing with the theme of the programme. Official nominations should be come through CIRDAP contact ministry with the prescribed nomination form and sent to training@cirdap.org by 18 February 2019. Before starting the application process, kindly read the “Application Procedure” very carefully. Training Code: TF-190-NIRD-2018 Training Title: CIRDAP-NIRD&PR International Training Programme on Social Audit in Rural Development Programmes Timing and Duration: 19-28 March 2019 (10 days, excluding arrival and departure) Venue: NIRD&PR, India Download following documents: Application Procedure Nomination Form Training Brief Participant’s Medical form

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Int. Training on Food Waste to Wealth: Post-Harvest to Market

The Centre on Integrated Rural Development for Asia and the Pacific (CIRDAP) in collaboration with the National Institute for Rural Development and Panchayati Raj (NIRD&PR) is organising an International Training Programme on Food Waste to Wealth: Post-Harvest to Market. Nominations are expected from CIRDAP member countries. The participants will be mid and senior-level government officials dealing with the theme of the programme. Official nominations should be come through CIRDAP contact ministry with the prescribed nomination form and sent to training@cirdap.org by 15 February 2019. Before starting the application process, kindly read the “Application Procedure” very carefully. Training Title:International Training on Food Waste to Wealth: Post-Harvest to Market Training Code: TF-182-NIRDPR-2018 Timing and Duration: 01-10 March 2019 (10 days, excluding arrival and departure) Venue: Vietnam Download following documents: Application Procedure Nomination Form Training Brief Participant’s Medical form

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Int. Exposure visit on Micro Finance in Bangladesh for Indian Gov. Officials

CIRDAP has organised a 5-day-long exposure visit on Micro Finance in Bangladesh to be held from 27th to 31st January 2019 for a team of Officials from Government of India including from National Bank Staff College (NBSC) and National Bank for Agricultural and Rural Development (NABARD) and Bankers Institute of Rural Development (BIRD). The delegates have arrived CIRDAP today and the inaugural program of the exposure visit was held at CIRDAP Headquarter. Mr. Tevita G. Boseiwaqa Taginavulau, the Director General of CIRDAP welcomed the team and emphasized on importance of collaboration to address the growing inequality in the Asia-Pacific region. #CIRDAP #RuralDevelopment #MicroFinance #Bangladesh #IndiaNabard Online

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Climate Change is Challenging the Rural Livelihoods

Climate change is negatively affecting agriculture, food production and rural livelihoods in general. CIRDAP Rural Development Report titled Impacts of Climate Change on Rural Livelihoods suggests that climate change change is negatively affecting agriculture, food production and rural livelihoods in general. It may intensify the pressure on available resources and ecosystem and trigger a vicious cycle of poverty, resource degradation, environmental deterioration and social unrest. The report recommends creation of new employment opportunities particularly in non-farm sectors through promotion of agro-processing industries and rural entrepreneurship etc. as way to diversify livelihood.Watch this Video on YouTube: https://bit.ly/2BL0WBr Read the full report: www.cirdap.org/ccrl  

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Int. Exposure Visit on Youth Engagement to meet SDGs

CIRDAP in collaboration with Rajiv Gandhi National Institute for Youth Development (RGNIYD) is organizing an International Training cum Exposure Visit on “Youth Engagement to meet Sustainable Development Goals” on 18-22 February 2019 in Chennai, India for students from CIRDAP member countries. The training is designed to expose the students to social innovation and successful government initiatives relating to SDGs in order to equip them with necessary skills and knowledge required for meaningful youth participation for achievement of SDGs. The programme blends a number of combined sessions including lecture cum demonstration, case studies, audio-visual presentations, group discussions, networking and field visit respectively. Any university students studying in any of the CIRDAP member countries listed below can apply to joint the 5 days long programme. The programme details, content and eligibility criteria is given below: Programme Details Duration: 18-22 February 2019 (5 Days, Excluding arrival and departure)Venue: Rajiv Gandhi National Institute for Youth Development, IndiaNo of Participants: 20Application Deadline: 20th January 2019 ContentThe tentative topics to be covered as follows:(i) Social Innovation and Practices (Social Harmony and National Unity);(ii) Youth Development Policies, Programmes and Practices;(iii) Create opportunities to prevent internal migration from rural to urban;(iv) Employability through Life Skill, Leadership and Entrepreneurship; and(v) Youth and Community Development (Youth initiated Programme/Project). Expected OutcomeThe Training cum Exposure visit designs a strategic response for aspiring entrants to professional career competently that are pertinent to the emerging developmental needs and desires of the young people in Asia and the Pacific. There are other aspects appended below-  The participants will get a platform to share knowledge of skill development for elevating youth productivity.  The participant will learn and exchange ideas from different countries of Asia and The Pacific in terms of their own country perspective  The participants will identify ways on how they can contribute to SDGs through regional collaboration. Eligibility CriteriaWe value diversity and encourage qualified students from diverse academic and cultural backgrounds to apply for the programme. The eligibility criteria are as follows: 1. Citizen of CIRDAP Member Countries;2. Current studying at University;3. Physically and mentally sound and fit for travel and field work;4. Ability to work in multi-cultural team;5. Proficient in English (Speaking, writing and listening); and6. At least 6-months valid Passport. CIRDAP Member Countries The CIRDAP member countries are Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Fiji, India, Indonesia, Iran, Lao PDR, Malaysia, Myanmar, Nepal, Pakistan, Philippines, Sri Lanka, Thailand and Vietnam. Application Procedure Applicants have to submit online application using the following the online application form with supporting documents, mentioned below within the deadline – Sl Type of documents File Format Rename as 1. Last educational certificate .pdf Applicant’s first name_certificate (e.g. bbx_certificate) 2. Official Recommendation/Nomination Letter from Departmental Head .pdf Applicant’s first name_recommendation (e.g. bbx_recommendation ) 3. Valid passport copy with minimum 6 months validity .pdf Applicant’s first name_passport (e.g. bbx_passport) 4. Financial Statement from Bank (either participants’ or sponsors) .pdf Applicant’s first name_finance (e.g. bbx_finance) 5. Passport Size Photograph .jpeg Applicant’s first name (e.g. bbx) Please note, the total file size of these supporting documents should not exceed 10 MB. Selection ProcedureTo be competitive for the limited number of participants, a combination of the following credentials is highly desirable: • Display a commitment and passion for Youth development;• Possess academic relevance;• Analytical Writing (Strategic perspective and innovative ideas); and• Extracurricular Activities. Financial Arrangements (i) To be borne by CIRDAP and RGNIYD Hospitality (Accommodation and meal) for 7 days; All Logistics and assignment costs; and All expenses for Field Visit. (ii) To be borne by Participants All expenses with regard to Visa fees, taxes and Airfare (Round trip); and All local travel expenditure from Airport in India to Programme Venue (RGNIYD) and vice-versa. Please note that: • Applications received after the deadline and self-nomination will not be accepted;• Failure to submit the incomplete information or without required documents will not be considered;• Upon successful submission of application, selected candidates will be notified of their status prior to three weeks of the programme;• the right to select or reject any application is at the discretion of the CIRDAP; For further query please contact: mahjabin@cirdap.org, training@cirdap.org, or +8801920199917 and +8801557738030

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Project on Demonstration of Potato Cultivation

A Pilot project on demonstration at potato cultivation has been initiated on 15th November 2018.  Three potato varieties which are Diamond, Aestarix and Alga has been planted in the demonstration field within CIRDAP campus. The research team is monitoring the activities from production to harvest in order to understand the pros and cons of the verities. The expected time of harvesting of potato from this project is 1st week of March, 2019. The objectives of the project is to identify the high yielding varieties of potato among three promising varieties and also find out the ratio of pest & disease infestation during the production period. Director General of CIRDAP Mr. Tevita G. Boseiwaqa Taginavulau inaugurated the project by planting potato seed in the ground on 15th November 2018. Programme Officer (Research) Mr. George Chandra Babu, Programme Coordinator Mr. Zakaria are coordinating the project. Director General of CIRDAP said that, ‘this demonstration will show farmers an efficient insight to adapt best cultivation practices in this sector. This project is taken to explore more scopes for the farmers and the market with a view to encouraging potato production, reducing wastage, increasing processing and exporting potatoes in a larger scale”. ‘This will create an enormous impact in both micro and macro level economies by helping farmers to be more economically solvent’, he added. CIRDAP will also be working to strengthen the linkage among producers, processors and exporters as follow up of the project. Potato is considered to be the 4th most important food crop just after rice, wheat and corn in global food production. Potatoes appear in Asian diets as accompanying vegetables but in many countries like in highland areas of China, Democratic People’s Republic of Korea, India, Mongolia and Nepal etc. where potatoes are a dietary staple. China is the greatest producer followed by India. Bangladesh ranks 7th in terms of Potato production in the world. Asia and Europe produce more that 80% of the world production. Currently fresh potato production is 321 million tons using 19.5 million hectors of land globally. Potatoes are a good source of several healthy vitamins, minerals, plant compounds, vitamins C, B6, manganese, phosphorus, sugar, fiber, Omega-3 and 6 etc. They may also help prevent heart diseases, Blood pressure, immunity, inflammation, digestion problems etc. Potatoes could be a vehicle for addressing different types of malnutrition worldwide where consumption of potato is meaningful. Potato plays a vital role in contributing as one of the major sources of food energy for the poor people. Given the backdrop, this is the 1st demonstration that has been made within the CIRDAP campus.

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CIRDAP Partners with BALID to Strengthen Rural Libraries

Centre on Integrated Rural Development for Asia and the Pacific (CIRDAP) has extended partnership with Bangladesh Association of Librarians, Information Scientists and Documentalist (BALID)to undertake collaborative programmes for strengthening of libraries and information management, knowledge dissemination initiatives. Recognizing the importance of collaborative endeavors in enhancing the well-being of rural people of Bangladesh and CIRDAP Member Countries (CMCs) through use of Information and communication technology (ICT), CIRDAP and BALID signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on 25th November 2018 at CIRDAP Headquarter in Dhaka, Bangladesh. Mr. Tevita G. Boseiwaqa Taginavulau,Director General of CIRDAP and Dr. Mirza Md.Rezaul Islam,Chairman of BALID signed the MoU on behalf of the Organizations. Under this agreement, the two organizations will jointly undertake activities related to library and information management, and Knowledge dissemination to promote inclusive integrated rural development. DG CIRDAP, in his speech, mentioned that “This partnership will reinforce CIRDAP initiative to contribute to knowledge base societies and Sustainable Development Goal 4: Quality Education and thus support CMCs in knowledge and Information dissemination required for equitable, holistic development and evidence-based policy making”. The Chairman of BALID hoped that this agreement will open new windows for more collaborative efforts to strengthen libraries and enhance capacity of Liberians, Information Scientists and Documentalists across Bangladesh particularly in rural areas. Dr.Usharani Boruah, Librarian, CIRDAP, Mr.Tomasi Raiyawa, Principal Executive officer, CIRDAP and Mr.Zakirul Haq, Administrative Officer, CIRDAP and six Governing Body members were present in the MoU signing ceremony.

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Regional Expert Consultation Meeting on “ICT for Development of Rural Agriculture in South Asia–Policy Concerns”

CIRDAP in collaboration with South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation (SAARC) Agriculture Centre organized a regional Expert Consultation Meeting on “ICT for Development of Rural Agriculture in South Asia –Policy Concerns” on 29th-31 October in Bogra, Bangladesh. The main objective of this programme was to share the status of ICT applications in agriculture, review existing  relevant policies, identify capacity gap and opportunities through consultation. The participants also proposed policies and strategies to make best of ICT  to enhance productivity of agriculture. During the technical sessions, the participants presented their respective countries ICT practices in terms of Rural Agricultural Development. They also engaged with interactive group activities to come up with relevant policy with relevant programme  and strategies. The proposed key policy interventions which were proposed by the participants include: a. Availability of Sustainable and Reliable Agricultural Information; b. Capacity enhancement of women in agriculture in ICT; c. Mandated Committee for Agricultural content validation and program monitoring; d. Work on present policies (ex. Ag extension policy, ICT policy) and come up with “ICT in agriculture policy”. The meeting was attended by the following: Sl Name Designation Organization Country 1. Mr. Abdul Hasib Habib IT Director Ministry of Agriculture, Irrigation & Livestock (MAIL) Afghanistan 2. Mr. Mohammad Zakir Hasnat Information Officer (Plant protection) Agriculture Information Service,Ministry of Agriculture Bangladesh 3. Mr. Dawa Zangpo ICT Officer Ministry of Agriculture & Forests Bhutan 4. Mr. Manoluck Bounsihalath Director National Agriculture and Forestry Research Institute Lao PDR 5. Dr. Raju Ghimire Senior Agriculture Extension Officer Agriculture Information & Training Centre Nepal 6. Ms. Ambreen Ashfaq Section Officer Ministry of National Food Security & Research Pakistan 7. Mr. S. Periyasamy Director (Comm. and Information) National Agriculture Information & Communication Centre Sri Lanka

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