CIRDAP is pleased to announce the release of the Asia-Pacific Journal of Rural Development (APJORD), Volume 34, Issue 2, December 2024. As a flagship publication of CIRDAP, APJORD continues to serve as a critical platform for addressing key issues and fostering discussions on Rural Development, particularly in the Asia-Pacific region. This bi-annual academic journal is designed to provide a forum for academics, policymakers, NGOs, research scholars, and all other stakeholders interested in IRD to exchange insights, field observations, and empirical research on rural development. If you are interested in access to full journal, kindly visit this link below:https://journals.sagepub.com/toc/jrda/34/2

We are pleased to invite you to a special webinar in celebration of International Women’s Day 2025 titled: “Women in Agriculture and Rural Development – Empowering Change” Date: Monday, March 10, 2025Time: 3:00 PM Bangladesh Time | 9:00 AM UK TimePlatform: Zoom Honorable Speaker:Dr. Jacqueline HughesSecretary General, World Agriculture ForumSDG Room, Royal Institute of Tropics (KIT)Mauritskade 64, 1092 AD Amsterdam, Netherlands  Join Zoom Meeting: https://zoom.us/j/91224962882?pwd=KUy0t9zTRd1LAYsJuGcubKCvO0kaUP.1 Meeting ID: 912 2496 2882 Passcode: 890255 Find your local dial-in number: Click here Your presence and insights will add immense value to the discussion. We also encourage you to share this invitation with your network to further amplify the voices of women in agriculture and rural development.

Announcement of Post Graduate Diploma in Rural Development Management – National Institute of Rural Development and Panchayati Raj (NIRD&PR) for academic year 2025-26 for CIRDAP Member Countries. We are glad to inform that the admissions for the Post Graduate Diploma in Rural Development Management (PGDRDM) 2025-26: Batch-23 has started. Attached is the Application form to seek nominations of the students from CIRDAP Member countries. Last date for receipt of the applications from In-Service students is 30th April 2025. Candidates will be interviewed by teleconferencing / videoconferencing jointly by CIRDAP and NIRD&PR. Taking the past experience on the health status of the candidates, it is mandatory for the candidates to submit their health status by way of producing the test reports of HIV 1 and Il and HBS-AG from a recognized Medical institution. These reports are mandatory and are required to be sent along with Application. Further, in so for as the Programme Management is concerned, the PGDRDM is a teaching programme encompassing everyday class room sessions, assignments, both short and long field visits. The programme rigour is high as it comprises 24 courses with 66 credits in three Trimesters. Students must pass all the courses of the Trimester. The entire course will be taught in English only, hence the proficiency of students in writing and spoken English is compulsory. During the field visits the students are expected to stay in villages where the facilities will be bare minimum. You are aware that each international student will be housed at an independent moderately furnished Quarters. They are supposed to manage their kitchen and daily needs. NIRD&PR will pay them the Daily Subsistence Allowance towards purchase of Groceries, etc., as per NIRD&PR norms. Interested candidates from Preferred Sectors need to apply through the proper channels and submit the filled up application to administration@cirdap.org by 30th April 2025. Click here to see the Application Form PGDRDM Batch 23 International

The webinar will be held on February 20, 2025 (Thursday) at 11 am Bangladesh Time (10:30 am in India). The Honorable Speaker is Mr. Sachin Hegdekudgi, Chief Executive Officer, Founder and Director, RootsGoods Private Limited, Bengaluru, Karnataka 560092, India. Please click on the link below to attend the webinar Topic: webinar on ‘Artificial Intelligence in Improving Farmer’s Livelihood’ Time: Feb 20, 2025 11:00 AM Astana, Dhaka Join Zoom Meeting https://zoom.us/j/97448123767?pwd=QU6w9mOXbLV6i3CjztGLPKtUPU97CG.1 Meeting ID: 974 4812 3767 Passcode: 309995 _____ Find your local number: https://zoom.us/u/aejP77i60

CIRDAP was honored to welcome Dr. Ravi Khetarpal, Executive Secretary of the Asia Pacific Association of Agricultural Research Institutions (APAARI), to CIRDAP headquarters today, February 10, 2025. After an insightful meeting with the Director General of CIRDAP HE Dr.P.Chandra Shekara,Dr. Khetarpal toured the CIRDAP office complex, including the CIRDAP International Conference Centre (CICC) and auditorium. He also took part in the ongoing World Rural Development Day (WRDD) signature campaign, showing his strong support for this important initiative. CIRDAP staff had the opportunity to engage in a productive discussion with Dr. Khetarpal, exploring shared objectives and potential collaborations between CIRDAP and APAARI. The visit concluded with a seedling planting segment, symbolizing our commitment to sustainable development.

CIRDAP is going to organize its next webinar titled ‘why do Organized and Unorganized Marketing Channels Co-exist? A Case of Milk Marketing in Nepal’ on February 12, 2025. The honorable speaker is Binoy Goswami, PhD Associate Professor, Faculty of Economics, South Asian University, Maidan Garhi, and New Delhi, India. Abstract Marketing channels ensure that agricultural produces reach their target consumers, fetch fair prices, and contribute to the overall profitability of farming enterprises. Particularly for perishable goods like fruits, vegetables, milk, and so on, marketing channels are essential. This paper examinesthe dynamics of milk marketing channels in Nepal through a case study of 103 milk-producing farmers in Lalitpur district. The findings reveal that larger milk producers predominantly prefer organized marketing channels, such as milk collection centers operated by cooperatives or the private sector, whereas smaller producers utilize both organized and unorganized channels, including direct sales to households and businesses. An analysis of the factors influencing the choice of marketing channel highlights that pecuniary transaction costs are minimal for producers. However, unorganized channels involve significant non-pecuniary transaction costs such as, challenges in transporting milk to points of sale and handling fluctuations in milk production. On the other hand, fat-based pricing system in the organized channels discourages farmers from choosing these channels. Both exploratory and regression analyses validate these results. The study explains the coexistence of organized and unorganized channels in terms of the distinct advantages that each type of channel offers. Furthermore, it identifies several socio-economic factors that shape producers’ choices of marketing channels. The paper contributes to theunderstanding of the dynamics of milk marketing, and provides valuable implications for policy and practice in Nepal’s dairy sector. To attend the webinar, click here for the zoom link:https://zoom.us/j/95124674993?pwd=GlmaMO7gMgJpQpIAWbihvsbOD87Sjh.1Meeting ID: 951 2467 4993Passcode: 656793

Centre on Integrated Rural Development for Asia and the Pacific (CIRDAP) has launched a dedicated social media campaign in celebration of World Rural Development Day highlighting the significance of rural development across the globe. The campaign will showcase successful rural development initiatives, promote inclusive policies, and engage the global community in advocating for rural prosperity. The campaign, launched in the beginning with New Year’s celebrations, seeks to raise awareness about the importance of rural development across the world. It focuses on the transformative potential of rural areas in driving sustainable growth and improving the quality of life for millions.Dedicated website for the event https://worldruraldevelopmentday.org/ has been activated.10

CIRDAP celebrated the New Year in a vibrant manner, hosting a special program at the scenic Chameli House Garden. The event was inaugurated by the Honorable Director General, HE Dr. P.Chandra Shekara, who delivered an insightful speech and symbolically cut the cake to mark the occasion. Throughout the program, all CIRDAP staff members expressed their personal commitment to strengthening the organization. The campaign, launched in the beginning with New Year’s celebrations, seeks to raise awareness about the importance of rural development across the world. It focuses on the transformative potential of rural areas in driving sustainable growth and improving the quality of life for millions.Dedicated website for the event https://worldruraldevelopmentday.org/ has been activated.