Agriculture Reference
In-Depth Information
industry need to develop a short but intensive
training program for key national scientists,
research managers, scientifi c staff, and political
decision-makers to expose them to the negative
impacts that pests and toxic contaminants are
having on human and environmental health, food
security, and trade. The course would tackle
mycotoxins, pesticide residues, and microbial
contamination. It would present the technologies
that are already available or currently under
development that could be of enormous benefi t to
their countries if the right policies and institu-
tional infrastructure are in place and if the scien-
tists are properly trained.
This course would be implemented in different
regions of the world by the agricultural universi-
ties/research institutes. IPM scientists in the other
regions, as well as researchers at advanced insti-
tutes and representatives from the private sector,
would backstop and present together the latest
solutions to crop health problems across crops of
the relevant food baskets and eco-regions.
it to specifi c regional contexts. These would be
conducted in the three major regions (sub-
Saharan Africa, South Asia, and Central Asia)
affected by food shortages, malnutrition, contam-
inants in the food chain, and climate change. The
technologies presented would be selected to fi t
the problems, cropping systems, and food basket
crops in the specifi c region where the course is
offered. Staff from all of the advanced national
and international research and educational insti-
tutes would backstop as needed, so that all
relevant technologies could be presented and the
contents of the course could be collaboratively
and continuously refi ned.
Both the knowledge exchange and the
advanced studies programs would be automati-
cally upgraded as experience is gained. The pro-
grams could be moved to the E-learning mode for
further distribution.
11.5.2.3 Implementation
of a Masters' Program in IPM
and Overall Crop Health
The concept would be to develop a sandwich
(split-location) degree program with preference
for extension agents and crop protection advisers.
The goal is to develop highly qualifi ed experts
who have a real interest in extension and problem
solving. This type of program does not exist in
the developing world at this time. It is a weak
link, but it is the key to the success of sustainable
crop production. Training programs conducted
outside the region usually lead to the training of
students not necessarily interested in extension or
of students who remain in the developed world to
build their careers.
The 27-year-old African Regional Postgraduate
Programme in Insect Science (ARPPIS) at ICIPE,
extending to 34 African universities, stands as an
example for such a program based in Africa. The
Masters program in IPM would include a number
of satellite universities from different countries
based in a region. The national professors work-
ing in crop protection would be part of the core of
the teaching and training program. The curricu-
lum would be developed by the national program
leaders together with CGIAR's training personnel
11.5.2.2 Implementation
of an Advanced Studies
Program
As above, the advanced national and international
research and education institutes and the private
sector would develop the structure for intensive
advanced training courses for key national scien-
tists, research managers, and extension experts to
upgrade their expertise in the latest technologies
available to enhance plant health across ecosys-
tems and across the crops in the food basket of the
growing region. It would also focus on the preser-
vation of the gained knowledge.
By means of modern and affordable concepts
of information technology, the participants in the
program would be enabled to document their
experiences in an easy and straightforward man-
ner. Through the Internet, this knowledge can be
made readily accessible to others within and out-
side the program and thus preserve the program's
results, even when participants leave or move on
to other positions. The basic course would then
be fi ne-tuned by the agricultural universities/
research institutes hosting the course to customize
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