CIRDAP signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with National Institute for Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises, (ni-msme), Hyderabad, India on September 19, 2024 through a virtual ceremony. The Director General of CIRDAP Dr. P. Chandra Shakara and the Director General of Ni-msme Dr. Sunchu Glory Swarupa were present at this important moment. Mr. Sarath Muthyala Asst. Registrar (I/C), (ni-msme) and Mr. F.A.M Zakirul Huq, Administrative Officer, CIRDAP signed the MoU on behalf of the organizations. Ni-msme, Hyderabad, is a pioneer entrepreneurship development Institute of International importance under the Ministry of Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises, Government of India. Established back in 60 years ago, the Institute provides a host of services with focus on Capacity Building, Research, Consultancy, Skilling, Education and Extension. The duration of the MoU is three years and both the organizations will collaborate in training and Capacity Building; research and development; Advocacy; and research sharing etc. All the faculties and staffs of both organizations were presented at the MoU signing event.

CIRDAP and World Agriculture Forum, Zuidwolde, Netherlands signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) for mutual cooperation in the presence of the global representatives during award ceremony of the 2ND World Agriculture Award ceremony, 2024 held on September18, 2024. The MoU was signed by Dr. Chandra Shekara, DG, CIRDAP and Ms. Leena Jacob, International Programs Director, WAF. The DG of CIRDAP took this initiative of forming a collaboration and cooperation to accelerate the integrated rural development leading to sustainable development thus leaving no one behind.   DG CIRDAP attended the World Agriculture Award ceremony and the board meeting On September 18th, 2024, Dr. P. Chandra Shekara, Director General, CIRDAP delivered a talk in Norman Borlogue Colloquy on Global Food Security and Sustainable Development organized by the World Agriculture Forum during the Occasion of the 2ND World Agriculture Award ceremony, 2024 held at Mumbai, India. The World Agriculture Prize was presented to Honorable Chief Minister of Maharashtra state, India Sri. Eknath Shinde by World Agriculture Forum in this grand award ceremony. The DG of CIRDAP participated in the program as Board Member of the Forum. The vice president of World Agriculture Forum William Dar made the introductory speech in which he informed about the nature of the prize and method of selection for it. The national director of World Agriculture Council MJ Khan proposed the vote of thanks. The honour was done jointly by the Governor, HE Mr CP Radhakrishnan and WAF Chair, Prof Rabbinge, joined by Cabinet Ministers and Ambassadors and HCs of 9 countries, and 1100+ farmers and prominent leaders. Dr. Chandra, Director General also participated in World Agriculture Forum Governing Board Meeting as a board member on September 19th, 2024. The Forum has Global representatives from Netherland and all over the world. The World Agriculture Forum Board and its newly constituted Global Council met at the meeting. The meeting was attended by WAF Chair, Prof. Rudy Rabbinge; Vice Chair, Dr. William Dar; Board members: H.E. Mr. M Nardeosing, Secretary General, AARDO; Dr. Phat Cao, Board Chair, IRRI; among others, and online joined by Dr. Ameenah, former President, Mauritius; Dr. Hans Hoogeveen, Chairman, FAO Council; Mr. Richard Lackey, Chairman, World Food Bank among other members from 27 countries. The World Agriculture Forum (WAF) was envisioned during the Global Agriculture Summit in 2017 in New Delhi, India and later discussed at the World Food Summit in Des Moines, USA in 2019; as a neutral, global platform for nations, industries, experts, and institutions to converge, collaborate, and catalyze sustainable agricultural development, fostering a culture of innovation, inclusivity, and collective problem-solving. Following extensive and in-depth consultations with experts and global leaders, a consensus was reached to establish the World Agriculture Forum, modeled on the pattern of World Economic Forum, to address the pressing needs and opportunities in the agricultural sector.

Fact 1: The world produces enough food to feed everyone, and yet millions suffer from hunger and malnutrition. Fact 2: Globally, around 13.2 percent of food produced is lost between harvest and retail, while an estimated 19 percent of total global food production is wasted in households, in the food service and in retail all together.  As a part of the global community and to advance sustainable development through integrated rural development, CIRDAP will also observe the International Day of Awareness of Food Loss and Waste. The Webinar on this significant day will be held on 29th September, 2024 (Sunday) at 11 am Bangladesh time (12 pm Thailand time). Dr. Nuanchan Singkran, Associate Professor, Faculty of Environment and Resource Studies Mahidol University, Thailand will be embraced as the honorable speaker. The fifth observance of the day will highlight the critical need for financing to bolster efforts to reduce food loss and waste, contribute to achieving climate goals and advancing the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development. To join the webinar, you are requested to registrar in the link below: https://forms.gle/kLxz4SHHsgQDvnZJ6  

The Centre on Integrated Rural Development for Asia and the Pacific (CIRDAP) now has a new Director General (DG) Dr. P. Chandra Shekara, an Indian national replacing Dr. Cherdsak Virapat Thai national who has completed his four-year term (2020 -2024).  Dr. Chandra is a leading Professional in the field of Agriculture with his more than three decades of service towards integrated rural development especially in the areas namely Agricultural Extension Management, Agri-Entrepreneurship Development, Agricultural Marketing Management and Public-Private-Partnership. He headed three premier National Institutions in India which work for the Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare, Government of India. Dr. Chandra served as Director General of CCS National Institute of Agricultural Marketing (CCS NIAM), Director General (In-charge) of National Institute of Plant Health Management (NIPHM) and Director General of National Institute of Agricultural Extension Management (MANAGE). As Chief Executive of these Institutions, He leads very important International and National schemes, programs and policy interventions for development of Agriculture through Training, Research, Consultancy, Policy Advocacy, Education, International Programmes, Implementation of Govt. of India Schemes, Agripreneurship Development, Agri. Startups Promotion, Documentation and Dissemination in Agriculture Development.  Dr. P. Chandra Shekara received numerous accolades and recognition for his outstanding achievements worth mentioning – “Extension Leadership Award (2023) in the International Extension Education Conference 2023 (IEEC 2023); “NITTE-Karnataka Bank Limited Lifetime Achievement Award-2019 for driving Agri-entrepreneurship Movement in India” and etc.  Dr. Chandra holds a Ph.D. in Agricultural Extension awarded from University of Agricultural Sciences, Bangalore in 1999 with a Cumulative Grade Point Average of 9.57 /10.00 with following Three Gold Medals: Recipient of University of Agricultural Sciences Gold Medal for Securing Highest Grade Point. Recipient of Dr. K.A. Jalihal Gold Medal for Best Ph.D., Student in Agricultural Extension. Recipient of Dr. R. Dwarakinath, Former Vice-Chancellor Gold Medal for Best PhD. Student in Agricultural Extension. His Doctoral Research Thesis contributed an “Agricultural Extension Strategy for the Management of Coffee Industry in India”. He obtained a Post-Graduate Degree – M.Sc. in Agricultural Extension, University of Agricultural Sciences, Bangalore in 1989 and completed his bachelor’s degree- B.Sc., (Agriculture) from same University in 1987.  Dr. Chandra said that he is looking forward to leading the CIRDAP Secretariat by continuing the work his predecessors have done blending with his experiences and expertise to take CIRDAP further into the future and to its vision. He also added that, he will strive to make the Organization ready for new challenges and strengthen the role for Integrated Rural Development in Asia and the Pacific region. Dr. P. Chandra Shekara will serve CIRDAP from 2024 to 2028. CONTACT: Hurain Jannat Communication Officer, CIRDAP. Email: Communication_officer@cirdap.org

On 6 September, 2024, the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) unanimously adopted a resolution proclaiming July 6 every year as the “World Rural Development Day”. Bangladesh initiated the resolution and a core group comprising Bangladesh, India, Nepal, Peru, the Philippines and Thailand tabled it at the plenary of the 78th session of UNGA. At least 30 countries co-sponsored the resolution, which was adopted by consensus by the member states of the UN, without any voting, according to a statement of the Bangladesh Permanent Mission to the UN in New York. July 6 has been chosen as the World Rural Development Day in commemoration of the date of establishment of the “Center on Integrated Rural Development for Asia and the Pacific (CIRDAP)” on July 6, 1979, as a recognition of the organizations significant role in sustainable rural development endeavors in its member states in the Asia-Pacific region.  The date of 6 July has been proposed to UN FAO on 15 December 2020 and to CIRDAP members for establishment by the Secretariat of CIRDAP. The Governing Council of CIRDAP at its 23rd Session on 21st April 2022 held in Bangkok, Thailand endorsed the initiative to establish the World Rural Development Day on 6th July 2022 in order that the day can be officially recognized worldwide. CIRDAP launched the World Rural Development Day on 6th July 2022 through the webinar presented by the DG of CIRDAP as well as at the 43rd anniversary of CIRDAP held on 25th July 2022. On 28 July 2022, CIRDAP sent a letter to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Bangladesh to inform about the initiative and to seek consideration in proposing the proposal on the establishment of the World Rural Development Day directly to the UNGA through Bangladesh’s Permanent Mission to the United Nations in New York, U.S.A. Ambassador Muhammad Abdul Muhith, Permanent Representative of Bangladesh to the UN in New York, who presented the resolution before the UNGA, underscored the importance of sustainable and inclusive rural development in attaining the SDGs by 2030. The areas he highlighted include poverty alleviation, food production, socio-economic development, ecosystem restoration and improved livelihoods. The press release by the UN General Assembly: https://www.un.org/pga/78/2024/09/06/spokespersons-briefing-6-september-2024/ Here is the link of the website of the World rural development day (WRDD): https://worldruraldevelopmentday.org/  CONTACT: Ms. Hurain Jannat Communication Officer Email: communication_officer@cirdap.org 

The Centre on Integrated Rural Development for Asia and the Pacific (CIRDAP) in collaboration with Institute for Rural Advancement (INFRA) of Malaysia, are organizing an International Training Programme on Rural Tourism Towards Integrated Rural Development from 9-17 October 2024 in Penang, Malaysia. Nominations are expected from the relevant Contact Ministry and Government or Non-Government Institute of CIRDAP member countries, dealing with the tourism Industry. Venue:  Penang, Malaysia  Targeted Participants: CIRDAP Member countries APPLICATION PROCESS For application, please fill in the enclosed form.  The completed form must be scanned and returned to the INFRA secretariat via email to intertraining@infra.gov.my (INFRA) & aocirdap@cirdap.org (CIRDAP). ·The closing date for applications is on 15 September 2024. CIRDAP and INFRA will finalise the participants through a selection meeting. Offer letters will be issued by INFRA to selected candidates only, via email within 15 days prior to the course date. Other than email, a WhatsApp Group will be created to facilitate communication between the selected participants and the organisers. Relevant Documents     Brochure: Click Here     Course Schedule: Click Here    Application form: Click Here

The upcoming webinar of CIRDAP titled “The advantages of agricultural intensification in family farming” will be held on 17th September, 2024 (Tuesday) at 12 pm in Bangladesh (9:30 am in IR Irhttps://cirdap.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/09/Abstract-Revised.pdfan).  The keynote speaker will be from IR Iran Dr. Mohsen Ebrahimpour Mir, Associate Professor in Demography and Sociology of development, Agriculture and Rural Development Research Department, Agricultural Planning, Economic and Rural Development Research Institute (APERDRI), IR Iran.  Please see the attached abstract of the topic: Click Here To join the webinar,Please registrar in the link below: https://forms.gle/RiMZheQ8G9htsemu8

The 39 th session of the CIRDAP Technical Committee meeting was held on 5 – 7 August 2024 in Melaka following a Rural Symposium held on 8th August in Putrajaya, Malaysia. The meeting was attended by 35 participants, including 14 CIRDAP member countries, the representative of the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), the IRD expert, the representatives of national and international observers, and CIRDAP experts. At the opening ceremony of the TC-39 meeting, YB DATUK HAJAH RUBIAH BINTI HAJI WANG, the Deputy Minister of Rural and Regional Development of Malaysia warmly welcomed the delegates and representatives. In her opening address, the deputy minister said that CIRDAP is internationally recognised for its role in promoting integrated rural development initiatives across the Asia and the Pacific region. She also stated that Malaysia hold a significant role within CIRDAP as one of the founding and active members in promoting integrated rural development across the region. As a part of the opening ceremony, the Aziz-ul-Haq award for 2024 was also organized. As per the organization’s traditions, the host country, Malaysia, was elected Chair of the 39th Technical Committee. Dato’ Dr. Roslan bin Mahmood, Undersecretary, Strategic Planning Division, Ministry of Rural and Regional Development (MRRD), Malaysia, accepted the chairmanship of TC-39, and he chaired the meeting. The new chair thanked the CIRDAP Secretariat for preparing the meeting and again welcomed everyone to this historic and UNESCO heritage city of Melaka for the TC-39 Meeting. He said that Malaysia would support the CIRDAP secretariat and also wanted to collaborate strongly with all the CIRDAP member countries. He expressed that this meeting would become a successful meeting with fruitful and interactive discussions. 17 agendas were discussed in the meeting. After the two days of successful meeting, the TC members visited Demang Abdul Ghani Gallery – a traditional rural house- in Kampung Merlimau Tengah, Merlimau, Melaka as a part of the field trip.

Dear Cherdsak Virapat, We would like to inform you on a new self-paced course created by UNESCO/IOC/OTGA/ITIC. This online, self-paced course is the first of a series of tsunami courses organized by the UNESCO-IOC Tsunami Resilience Section and its Tsunami Information Centres. Tsunami Awareness provides a basic understanding of the tsunami phenomenon, tsunami hazards and risks, tsunami warning systems, and tsunami preparedness. Tsunami Awareness is a pre-requisite for enrolling in later UNESCO-IOC tsunami courses. Learning outcomes The purpose of this course is to create awareness on tsunamis. By the end of the training, you should be able to: Describe the tsunami phenomena, and the causes and impacts of tsunamis. Understand what a tsunami warning system is, how tsunami warning centres work, and what products they issue. Explain the different preparedness actions that communities can take to be ready for the next tsunami Identify the natural tsunami warning signs and response actions for a local tsunami No application/selection process required for this training. The course closes 15 December 2024. All the information on the course and how to access can be found in the event page: https://oceanexpert.org/event/4369 Kind regards OTGA secretariat, Tsunami Unit, ITIC Training Centre