On November 6, 2024, The Centre on Integrated Rural Development for Asia and the Pacific (CIRDAP) and Rural Economic and Educational Development Society (REEDS) India signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to establish a framework for mutual interests and benefits. The duration of the MoU is for 4 years. The objectives include facilitating information exchange, conducting studies, organizing training programs, conducting policy dialogue; and developing and implementing programs and projects jointly. The MoU aims to promote successful experiences, generate information, and conduct joint evaluations and monitoring.

On October 21, 2024, CIRDAP and RAY One Agri Consulting LLP (RACI) signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) to strengthen their collaboration in promoting rural development.  RACI, a leader in Agriculture, Social, and Rural Entrepreneurship Development, offers a wide range of services focused on capacity building, research, consultancy, skilling, training, education, and extension. This partnership aims to enhance cooperative action and share valuable experiences and information to tackle challenges in rural areas. Both the organizations will work on innovative technological solutions and interventions to empower and uplift rural communities. Stay tuned for updates on this impactful collaboration!

Dr. P. Chandra Shekara the Director General (DG) of CIRDAP addressed National gathering of Iran Agriculture Extension Professionals at Extension headquarter of Agriculture Ministry at Tehran on 16 th October, 2024. The DG of the department and senior officials from all provinces took part in the discussion. The DG of CIRDAP explained Importance, Opportunities and Challenges of Agricultural Extension followed by interesting interaction. The discussion ended with mutual resolve to work in partnership.

The Director General (Head) and Associate Professor Dr. Ali KianiRad along with the faculty members of Agricultural Planning, Economic and Rural Development Research Institute (APERDI), Tehran, IR Iran had detailed discussion with the visiting Director General of CIRDAP Dr. P. Chandra Shekara in APERDRI office on October 13, 2024.  Dr. Ali Kiani Rad explained the activities of APERDRI on the other hand the DG of CIRDAP elucidated the initiatives of CIRDAP and requested for greater participation of APERDRI in CIRDAP activities. The DG of CIRDAP also had discussions with Dr. Soltani, Faculty of APERDRI and the lead of CIRDAP sponsored Research project on Women in Silk value chain under the Women, Youth and Rural Development programme of CIRDAP.

The Director General of CIRDAP Dr. P. Chandra Shekara addressed the programme on celebration of International Day of Rural women organized by Ministry of Agriculture, IR Iran held at Tehran, Iran on October 15, 2024. DG CIRDAP delivered a talk on the Mainstreaming Rural Women in Policies and Programs during the celebration. The programme was attended by Ambassadors, Policy makers and diverse groups of rural women of IR Iran.

Dr. P. Chandra Shekara, Director General of CIRDAP, met with the Honorable Gholamreza Nouri Ghezeljeh, Agriculture Minister of the Islamic Republic of Iran, in Tehran on October 14, 2024. The meeting focused on strengthening linkages between Iran and CIRDAP. H.E Minister Ghezeljeh expressed his full support for the CIRDAP’s initiatives, including the celebration of World Rural Development Day, exposure visits, and technology transfers. During the meeting, Dr. Chandra Shekara presented the Aziz Ul Huq Medal for Rural Development to Minister Ghezeljeh. The meeting was attended by Dr. Ali KianiRad, a member of CIRDAP’s Executive and Technical Committees, along with other senior officials from the Ministry.

On October 9, 2024, the DG of CIRDAP Dr. P. Chandra Shekara inaugurated the International Training Programme on Rural Tourism towards Integrated Rural Development in Penang, Malaysia organized by CIRDAP in collaboration with the Institute for Rural Advancement (INFRA) of Malaysia held during 9-17 October 2024. At the inaugural ceremony, Ms. Annie Liaw, Deputy Director (Training) of INFRA welcomed the participants. The officials of the Contact Ministries from CIRDAP member countries (CMCs) namely Bangladesh, Fiji, India, Indonesia, IR Iran, Lao PDR, Malaysia, Myanmar, Nepal, Pakistan, Sri Lanka, Thailand and Vietnam; and the Government and Non-Government Institute of CMCs along with the participants of the host country – Malaysia were participated on the training. Special attraction of the CIRDAP-INFRA International Training on Rural Tourism, Penang, Malaysia: The Homestay As a part of field visit, the participants of the training programme visited several homestays in Malaysia.Homestay programme is a community-based programme where the hosts and the visitors interacts each other during the stay of the guests on day-to-day basis exchanging knowledge, culture and experience. It offers different types of activities, depending on the culture, food, economic activity as well as location. Every state in Malaysia has its own uniqueness in terms of culture, ranging from the nasi dagang in Kelantan to the sumazau dance in Sabah, as well as the long houses in Sarawak. The Homestay day started with a class room session from INFRA on empowering rural homestay entrepreneurs. The day also featured hands-on field activities, adding a rewarding experience! Time to time participants were sharing their knowledge and experiences. The program ended with an exciting cultural program and dinner with exclusive local foods.

CIRDAP organized a webinar to celebrate the International Day for Disaster Risk Reduction on October 14, 2024. The Honorable speaker Dr. Nuanchan Singkran, Associate Professor, Faculty of Environment and Resource Studies Mahidol University, Thailand delivered her speech on the topic of “Natural disaster reduction and a proposed management framework”. In her presentation, Dr. Singkran talked briefly about the Natural disaster along with the world disaster statistics of 2023; Disaster management processes; National disaster prevention and mitigation plans of Thailand; and A proposed flood risk management framework. After the presentation, a lively and interactive discussion and Q/A sessions wer organized. To know more about the presentation, please see the link below: Click Here As a part of the international community, CIRDAP is also committed to achieve the goal of the Sendai Framework of reducing global disaster risks and losses by focusing on achieving the Sustainable Development Goals 2030.

As a part of the global community and to advance sustainable development through integrated rural development, CIRDAP observed the International Day of Awareness of Food Loss and Waste through a webinar, today. Dr. Nuanchan Singkran, Associate Professor, Faculty of Environment and Resource Studies Mahidol University, Thailand embraced as the honorable speaker. In her talks, Dr. Singkran pointed out that globally 1.3 billion tons of the world’s food is yearly wasted worth almost 1 trillion USD (according to FAO 2011). According to the World Bank, the highest percentage of the food waste occurs in the developed (industrialized) country in consumption (Ex. 61% in North America and Oceania); whereas the highest percentage of the food loss occurs in developing countries mainly during production (39% in sub-Saharan Africa) and, handling and storage (37% in sub-Saharan Africa and, South and Southeast Asia). In her presentation, Dr. Singran talked about the reduction framework for food loss and waste through developing research and knowledge; formulation of strategies and actions; partnerships; and investments. After the talk, there is an interactive discussion and Q/A session held amongst the participants. At the closing remarks, Dr. P. Chandra Shekara pointed out two important players; the DG of CIRDAP stated that farmers – they have to be educated so that food loss can be prevented; on the other hand Consumers – as a social moment lot of sensitization for consumers are needed to prevent food waste. To know more, please see the PowerPoint and visit our YouTube channel: PPT (PDF) and Link of the recording video Click Here“Let’s celebrate the World Rural Development Day on 6th of July every year which is foundation day of CIRDAP”

To celebrate the International Day for Disaster Risk Reduction, CIRDAP is going to organize a webinar and the webinar will be held on October 14, 2024 (Monday). This year’s theme is “empowering the next generation for a resilient future”.  The Speaker’s Name: Dr. Nuanchan Singkran, Associate Professor, Faculty of Environment and Resource Studies Mahidol University, Thailand. To achieve the goal of the Sendai Framework of reducing global disaster risks and losses, the theme of the International Day for Disaster Risk Reduction (IDDRR) 2024, which falls on 13 October, will be on the role of education in protecting and empowering youth for a disaster-free future – UNDRR #DRRDay #AreYouReady24 Please registrar in the link below to attend the webinar https://forms.gle/rW69bC5WDLzscPmS9 Click Here to see the Abstract