With an objective to promote and encourage the production of quality dried agricultural and fisheries, CIRDAP has implemented the replication of the Multi Commodity Solar Tunnel Dryer (MCSTD) food processing technology at the Daffodil International University (DIU) permanent campus in Savar, Bangladesh during 19 February to 02 March 2018 with the technical assistance from the Philippine Center for Post-Harvest Development and Mechanization (PhilMech). In this regard, Engr. Mr. Robelyn Daquila was invited as an expert from PhilMech to demonstrate the fabrication and use of the technology. It is expected that this project will facilitate the generation of employment for the rural marginalized women and rural youth through encouraging establishment of the agro-food processing enterprise in rural area of Bangladesh.

In Asia and the Pacific region, people affected by palpable poverty are higher than the most other region of the world. To distribute governance services to these rural, poor people on basic civic needs and other sectors (e.g. education, health, water supply, sanitation, roads, communications, power, etc.) decentralization is one of the most effective and straightforward way. It can alter the complexion of distribution and provide institutional support for the delivery of services. In this context, with the support from the Ministry of Rural Development (MoRD), Government of India, CIRDAP in collaboration with NIRD&PR organized an international training programme on ‘Decentralized Governance and Delivery of Services – Way to Good Governance’ to discuss the potentiality of decentralization and share the best practices of good governance so that member countries of CIRDAP can adapt the idea of decentralization to make a good governance system, held during 19-28 March 2018 at NIRD&PR, Hyderabad, India. The objectives of the programme were: (i) To discuss the international perspectives and the Asia-Pacific trends of decentralized governance; (ii) To share knowledge of governance, its theory and practices, and share best practices of good governance; International Training Programme on Decentralized Governance and Delivery of Services – Way to Good Governance in India (iii) To discuss decentralized governance in better service delivery; (iv) To develop mock action plan for decentralized governance; and (v) To share knowledge on the rural development programmes in India by practicing decentralize governance. This training was attended by 15 participants (12 male & 03 female) from nine (9) CIRDAP member countries (i.e. Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Fiji, Islamic Republic of Iran, Laos, Nepal, Sri Lanka, Thailand, and Vietnam). A total of 14 resource persons from NIRD&PR conducted session on their specialized area. Each country delegates presented their respective country papers. As per participant’s evaluation, training programme was very effective and useful for them and they are very satisfied with the course contents, training methodology, field visit and overall arrangement. The valedictory session of the programme was chaired by the Director General of CIRDAP and Director General of NIRD&PR. Participants were awarded with certificates and mementos by them.

Organised by CIRDAP in collaboration with NIRD&PR, a ten-day long international training programme on Waste to Wealth – Value Recovery from Agro-processing was held during 19-28 March 2018 at NIRD&PR, Hyderabad, India. A total of 18 government officials [Out of 18 participants, 14 were male and seven were female] from 10 CIRDAP member countries (i.e. Bangladesh, India, Sri Lanka, Nepal, Myanmar, Thailand, Philippines, Indonesia, Fiji and Iran) participated in the training programme. The objectives of the training programme were: (i) To familiarize with agro-food processing wastes as valuable resources for industrial and domestic application; (ii) To identify the opportunities of agro-waste processing for poverty alleviation and sustainability of the rural development; (iii) To focus on the Asia-Pacific trends of value recovery from agro-processing, and to introduce different agro-food waste processing technique to address rural livelihood opportunities; (iv) To equip participants with the skills of project design, operation and maintenance (O&M), and management of waste management project; and (v) To explain the process and importance of information, education and communication (IEC), and Behavioral Change Communication (BCC) in waste management project. International Training on Waste to Wealth – Value Recovery from Agro-processing in India Mr. Tevita G Boseiwaqa Taginavulau, Director General of CIRDAP was the Chief Guest, and Dr. W. R. Reddy, Director General of NIRD&PR was the Chairperson of the closing session. Prof. Dr. Siva Ram of NIRD&PR was the Programme Director and Mr. Md. Zakaria of CIRDAP was the Programme Coordinator. In this training programme, a total of ten country papers were presented focusing on Waste to Wealth Value Recovery from Agro-processing. Participants learnt different types of waste management technologies and production procedures, such as leather shoes from chicken feet skin, salacca coffee made from snake fruit seed waste, cake made from tofu waste, compost and biogas from kitchen, cowhouse & cottage waste etc. At the end of the training programme, every country members presented and discussed what they learnt from this training programme and what should they do for their countries.

Food safety and quality standards are global concerns as they are important for public health and impact international trade. Consumers are increasingly concerned about the quality and safety of food and are taking unprecedented interest in the way food is produced, processed, and marketed while demanding greater quality and safety assurances from agribusinesses and food companies. Globalization of trade makes food chains longer and more complex and increases the risk of food safety incidents. Food producers and exporters of agri-food products in APO-CIRDAP member countries need to update the standards and requirements for certification. In this connection, CIRDAP organized an International Forum on Strengthening Food Safety Standards from 05-08 March 2018 at HARTI, Colombo, Sri Lanka. It was supported by the Asian Productivity Organization (APO) and HARTI. The objectives of the programme were: (i) To share recent developments, advanced knowledge, and emerging trends in food safety management (FSM) systems in major global markets; and (ii) To formulate strategic recommendations for food-industry SMEs to enable them to meet the FSM standards of advanced markets. International Forum on Strengthening Food Safety Standards in Sri Lanka March 2018 This forum was attended by 40 participants (26 overseas & 14 local, where 21 male & 19 female participant) from 15 countries, i.e. Bangladesh, Cambodia, Republic of China, Fiji, India, Indonesia, Islamic Republic of Iran, Malaysia, Mongolia, Nepal, Pakistan, Philippines, Sri Lanka, Thailand, and Vietnam. A total of nine (9) resource persons contributed on the forum through their presentations and knowledge sharing. The programme has been finished successfully through the knowledge session of resource persons, field activities, country presentations and enthusiastic participation of all participants. At the end of the programme, resources persons along with participants formulate strategic recommendations from four days discussion.

A certificate award ceremony for the participants of Bangladeshi Student Delegation Exposure Visitcum-Training Programme in India, which was organized by CIRDAP in association with the Rajiv Gandhi National Institute of Youth Development (RGNIYD) held from 02-06 January 2018, was taken place at CIRDAP International Conference Centre in Dhaka on 27 February 2018. Hon’ble Director General of CIRDAP handed over the certificates among the students. Two students also shared their experience in the ceremony.

The MOU-MOA on Technical Cooperation in Technology Transfer and Enterprise Development of Philippine Center for Postharvest and Mechanization under the Department of Agriculture was signed on 06 September 2017. This was acknowledged at the Embassy of the Republic of the Philippines, Consular Section, Dhaka Bangladesh in September 26, 2017. In line with the signing of MOU, the activity proposal, “Capacity Development: Up-valuing Agro-food enterprise of Selected-Bank Assisted Women’s Group” was finalized and duly signed on 23 November 2017 by the DG CIRDAP Mr. Tevita G. Boseiwaqa Presentation on Panchayat Governance – Strength of India by Mr. Elango. Field Visit to the CIRDAP-PhilMech-DIU Project Site Taginavulau and by the Daffodil International University (DIU) Registrar Prof. Dr. Engr. A.K.M. Fazlul Hoque. In this connection, the field visit was undertaken on 03 January 2018 to CIRDAP-PhilMech-DIU Project Site located at DIU, which was spearheaded and attended by Eva Benita A. Tuzon (Director, PPD, CIRDAP) and Ms. Najiba Rashid (CIRDAP Intern) along with Dr. Bellal Hossain with two DIU project focal experts Dr. Md. Rezaul Karim and AKM Sarwar Inam. The final (tentative) target dates of implementation were set from 19 February to 06 March 2018.

Organized by CIRDAP in collaboration with the Rajiv Gandhi National Institute of Youth Development (RGNIYD), a five day-long Exposure Visit-cum-Training Programme in India for Bangladeshi Student Delegation took place during 02-06 January 2018. The delegation was comprised of a total of 20 students from top leading public and private universities of Bangladesh. The programme started with an inauguration programme, where Prof. Madan Mohan Goel, Director of RGNIYD graced the occasion as Chief Guest. Prof. Dr. Vasanthi Rajendran, Head, Centre for National and International Collaboration, RGNIYD welcomed the guests and described the programme brief. CIRDAP’s Coordinator of the Programme, Mr. Mohammad Abu Saleh Siddique handed over the CIRDAP Crest and a set of recent CIRDAP publications to Mr. Goel on behalf of the Director General of CIRDAP. Objectives: The objectives of the programme were to create an international perspective among the youth against the backdrop of the national youth policy objectives, inter-alia; involve them in promoting peace and development understanding in the society; and promote exchanging of ideas, values and culture as well as to develop international understanding among the youth of Bangladesh and India. Bangladeshi Student Delegation Exposure Visit-cum-Training Programme in India Visit to Rajiv Gandhi Memorial. Highlights of the Training and Exposure Visits: On the first day of the programme, presentations were made on RGNIYD, National Youth Policy 2014 and India Youth Development Index 2017 by Prof. Dr. Vasanthi Rajendran; on Life Skills by Dr. Kumaravel, Assistant Professor, RGNIYD, on ‘CIRDAP – A Centre of Excellence’ by Mr. Saleh Siddique, and orientation on Community Radio and Central Library of RGNIYD; Visit to the Rajiv Gandhi Memorial; Visit to Kuthambakkam Village Panchayat (a model village which is renowned for the role of youth participation in village development and panchayat system, Trust for Village Self Governance as well as Self-sufficiency practice); Visit to the Government College of Architecture and Sculpture at Mamallapuram;  Visit to the Cultural and Heritage Centres at Mahabalipuram including Krishna’s Butter Ball, Sea Shore Temple and Mahabalipuram Beach; Visit to the Electronic and Multimedia Research Centre under Anna University (wherein the students had the opportunity to know about the Production of Multi-media Learning Material, E-Learning Content and Community, and Campus Radio Activities); Visit to the M. S. Swaminathan Research Foundation (i.e. Centre for Research on Sustainable Agricultural and Rural Development) Visit to the Marina Sea Beach; Visit to the Tidel Park – One of the largest IT parks in Asia; Visit to the Bharatiya Yuva Shakti Trust – A Mentoring Young Entrepreneurs; and Visit to the Dakshina Chitra – A Living-History Museum in Tamil Nadu.

CIRDAP in collaboration with NIRD&PR organized an international training programme on Social Audit for Rural Development Programme at Nay Pyi Taw in Myanmar during 15-24 January 2018. A total of 21 participants from Bangladesh, Fiji, Iran, Nepal, Pakistan, Sri Lanka, and Myanmar (host country) and four resource/facilitators converged at the My Taw Win hotel where the aforementioned training programme took place. The programme is designed to ensure transparency, good governance, responsiveness and accountability. Social audit is a tool for social accountability mechanism that empowers the people in communities to be able to participate in planning, decision making, implementation, monitoring and evaluation of projects. Objectives: The objectives of the programme were to: (a) discuss the need, concept and approaches of social accountability mechanism in general and social audits in particular; (b) make the participants understand the provisions of different rural develop programmes with reference to social accountability mechanisms; International Training Programme on Social Audit for Rural Development Programmes January-February 2018 (c) enable the participants understand and critically review the approach and practice of social audit; (d) expose the participants to the best practices of social audit in rural development programmes in India; and (e) have hands on experience by conducting one mock social audit in one village. Major Training Activities: (a) The programme was inaugurated by Dr. Tin Htut as Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Agriculture, Livestock and Irrigation (MoALI), Government of Myanmar. Mr. Tomasi Raiyawa stressed the importance of ‘leadership’ on behalf of DG CIRDP in the programme. (b) The training began with a presentation from Myanmar’s Ministry of Agriculture, Livestock and Irrigation Department of Rural Development on Poverty Reduction Scenario of Myanmar. (c) Country representatives presented their individual country reports. (d) Then Dr. Dheeraja and Mr. Karuna Muthih presented lectures on Social Audit through PPT and video presentations. (e) Towards the end of the programme, participants went on a field trip to discuss with the people through mock exercise on how to conduct social audit. (f) And among others, Evaluation of the programme through Pre-test Form and Post-test Form by the participants.