The Workshop on Innovation in Agricultural Extension, hosted by Michigan State University (MSU) College of Agriculture and Natural Resources, was held at IPB University in Bogor, Indonesia, on October 1, 2025. The workshop is one program of Asia Hub and Consortium for Innovations in Agricultural Education and Research in Asia (CIAERA) Annual Meeting  & Workshop. The workshop brought together distinguished speakers from Michigan State University and IPB University to share knowledge and highlight transformative practices in agricultural extension and advisory services (EAS). It was attended by young scientists, researchers, and practitioners from various organizations involved in extension and advisory services. The event featured Dr. Quentin Tyler from Michigan State University Extension, Dr. Siti Amanah (IPB University and Chairperson of RASSEA), Dr. Hermanu Tri Widodo (Professor and Head of the IPB Digitani Center), and Dr. Supriyanto (Deputy Director of Agro-maritime Community Development at IPB University). Dr. Karim Maredia (Professor, Assistant Dean and Director of  International Programs for the College of Agriculture and Natural Resources, Michigan State University facilitated the Workshop). The workshop highlighted how extension can connect the science, policy, and service learning and outreach communities, fostering sustainability in communities. Below is the Figure of the Speakers and Participants of the Workshop.

The following is the highlight of the speeches delivered by the speakers.
The Michigan Model: Innovation and Global Reach
Opening the workshop, Dr. Quentin Tyler, Director of MSU Extension, outlined the scope of extension work in Michigan, one of the most agriculturally diverse states in the United States, where agriculture and food sectors generate over USD 104 billion annually. MSU Extension operates in 14 districts, organized into four institutes: Agriculture and Agribusiness, Children and Youth, Community, Food and the Environment, and Health and Nutrition. Dr. Tyler highlighted successful programs in animal agriculture, farm business management, nutrition and health, and 4-H youth development. He emphasized MSU’s pioneering efforts in farm stress and mental health, which have been adopted in 23 states, along with global collaborations in South Asia, Africa, and Indonesia’s aquaculture and fisheries extension programs. These efforts, he pointed out, demonstrate how community involvement, evidence-based initiatives, and international partnerships are key to promoting agricultural resilience worldwide. “Our mission is to bring science and knowledge outside campus walls to solve real challenges in communities, locally and globally,” Dr. Tyler remarked.

Participatory Solutions with Farmers
Prof. Dr. Hermanu Tri Widodo expanded on Indonesia’s innovations by highlighting the role of participatory methodologies in extension. Drawing from his expertise in integrated pest management, he explained how solutions are most effective when co-created with farmers, combining scientific knowledge with local practices. This approach, he emphasized, encourages innovation that is not only technically sound but also culturally rooted and sustainable. By involving farmers as co-researchers, extension services boost ownership, resilience, and the adoption of new practices.

Extension in Indonesia: Transformation in Extension Work
Dr. Siti Amanah of IPB University traced the historical development and transformation of extension in Indonesia. From the top down, commodity-focused models of the colonial and Green Revolution periods have evolved into a diverse, participatory, and inclusive extension system. With over 94,000 extension workers (public, private, and volunteer extension agents) in agriculture, fisheries, and forestry, the extension services still faces challenges in providing the services. The extension in Indonesia legal framework is the Law No. 16/2006, which guarantees extension services as both a public right and a government obligation. Dr. Amanah emphasized that extension involves more than just technology transfer; it also includes education, communication, and empowerment to help rural communities build capacity and independence. She highlighted IPB Digitani and nutrition-based extension approaches as innovations that demonstrate the importance of combining science with community needs. “The future of extension depends on not only the existence of transformative leadership, but also youth involvement, inclusivity, participatory, appropriate and comprehensive programs, and innovation in extension”
Agro-Maritime Community Development and Outreach
Summing up the Indonesian perspectives, Dr. Supriyanto, Deputy Director of the Directorate of Agro-Maritime Community Development at IPB University, highlighted IPB’s extensive outreach efforts. He described how IPB integrates research, entrepreneurship (for example through One Village One CEO Program), and service delivery through partnerships with local governments, private sector allies, and university networks throughout Asia. Through its agro-maritime initiatives, IPB has created hubs for innovation, business incubation, and community empowerment, making sure that science and technology benefit farmers, fishers, and rural entrepreneurs directly. These efforts, he stated, reflect IPB’s mission to support national development while actively promoting regional collaboration.

Looking Forward: Shared Pathways for Global Extension
Together, the speakers demonstrated that the future of extension relies on innovation, inclusivity, and collaboration. Michigan’s integrated statewide extension model, Indonesia’s pluralistic and farmer-led approaches, and IPB’s participatory and agro-maritime outreach strategies each provide valuable lessons for the global community.
The workshop emphasized the importance of extension and advisory services, along with their partner networks, in fostering mutual learning and shaping the future of extension to benefit humanity, people’s well-being, and sustainable agro-maritime and food systems.

The 4th Biennial Meeting of RASSEA 2025, 26 September 2025

The RASSEA Forum, in collaboration with PhilEASNet, brought together eight distinguished speakers and a diverse group of participants from across Southeast Asia to discuss the future of rural advisory services and lifelong learning for agricultural innovation in the digital era. Hosted virtually by the Regional Advisory Services Southeast Asia (RASSEA), the event served as a platform for knowledge exchange, collaboration, and strategic dialogue.

The forum opened with housekeeping and introductions led by Mr. Jim Leandro P. Cano, Co-founder of Go Eden Philippines and Board Member of PhilEASNet. Formal acknowledgments were followed by Dr. Ranny Chaidirsyah, Deputy Chairperson of RASSEA, and welcome remarks were delivered by Dr. Siti Amanah, Chairperson of RASSEA, and Prof. Dr. Rowena DT. Baconguis, President of the Philippine Extension Rural Advisory Services Network, Inc.

Dr. Rasheed Sulaiman, Director of the Centre for Research on Innovation and Science Policy (CRISP), India, delivered a compelling keynote address. He explored the digital landscape in the Asia-Pacific region, noting that 77% of the population uses mobile phones and 66% accesses the internet. His presentation highlighted: The persistent digital divide, including urban-rural and gender. The evolution of digital extension tools—from SMS to AI applications. Benefits and limitations of digital advisory services: Emerging technologies such as AI-powered systems, IoT, and the enduring importance of human intermediation in agricultural extension. Dr. Rasheed emphasized that while digital tools offer transformative potential, extension services must remain people-centered, focusing on empowerment, hands-on guidance, and building trust.

Open Forum Highlights

The open forum session of the RASSEA 2025 Biennial Meeting sparked a dynamic exchange of ideas on the future of agricultural extension in the digital era. Participants explored how digital advisory services can better serve small-scale and female farmers, ensuring access to timely information, improved productivity, and stronger market participation—while maintaining inclusivity and affordability.

A key theme was the digital divide in rural areas. Attendees emphasized the role of local governments in expanding infrastructure, promoting digital literacy, and ensuring equitable access to technology. Concerns were raised about the long-term risks of digital dependency, particularly the potential for information inequity and reliance on external private platforms.

The role of academia was also discussed, with calls to revise agricultural extension curricula to reflect the realities of digital transformation. Dr. Rasheed Sulaiman highlighted the need for modular learning resources on digital extension, equipping future practitioners with technical and human-centered skills.

The growing threat of cybersecurity risks in agriculture was an important addition to the dialogue. Participants noted that as farming becomes increasingly digital, rural communities face new vulnerabilities such as online scams, data breaches, and misinformation. There was a strong consensus that agricultural extension services must be more active in educating farmers about digital safety. Country Forums were encouraged to develop cyber hygiene initiatives, build awareness, and protect farmers from emerging digital threats.

The Plenary Session (Dr. Remelyn R. Recoter)

The plenary session began with an introduction by Ms. Antonieta J. Arceo, Deputy Director of the Agricultural Training Institute, followed by a presentation from Dr. Remelyn R. Recoter, Director of the Agricultural Training Institute. Her talk focused on institutional strategies to strengthen extension systems and promote inclusive innovation. She is present about their digital innovations, including the Digital Farmers Program, e-learning platforms, and various applications to help farmers.

In the Plenary Session, participants focused on how digital technologies can enhance agricultural extension services while acknowledging real-world barriers such as infrastructure gaps and digital literacy. A central theme was ensuring that digital transformation does not exclude small-scale and female farmers.

A notable example discussed was the Digital Farmers Program (DFP), which aims to address challenges related to oversupply of production and price monitoring of crops. The program helps farmers make informed decisions by providing real-time data, market insights, and digital tools for planning and coordination. DFP was highlighted as a promising model for improving productivity and market access while promoting affordability and inclusivity.

The forum concluded with a shared commitment to building resilient, adaptive, and equitable extension systems that leverage digital innovation without losing the human touch.

During the closing session of the RASSEA 2025 Biennial Meeting, Prof. Dr. Rowena DT Baconguis delivered the final remarks prepared by Dr. Virginia R. Cardenas, RASSEA Adviser. They retired professor from the College of Public Affairs and Development.

Dr. Virginia was unable to attend due to her husband’s recent passing. In a moment filled with empathy and solidarity, Prof. Rowena read the heartfelt message, which emphasized the importance of regional collaboration, inclusive innovation, and the continued commitment to strengthening agricultural extension services across Southeast Asia.

Access Materials Speaker materials and session resources are available for download:
👉 Google Drive Link

The forum concluded with a group photo and renewed commitment to advancing agricultural innovation through inclusive, collaborative, and digitally empowered extension services.

#AgriExtensionSEA from Southeast Asia, it is our pleasure to invite you to the 4th Biennial Forum of the Rural Advisory Services for Southeast Asia (RASSEA) on 26 September 2025, with the theme, “Rural advisory services and lifelong learning for agricultural innovations in the digital era.”

This year’s online Rural Advisory Services for Southeast Asia (RASSEA) forum and biennial meeting aims to unpack the challenges of digital technologies and data analytics as they transform the agriculture sector amid concerns that they may further marginalize small farmers .

As we navigate this exciting yet uncertain future, we invite experts, country members, and representatives to share their experiences with digital technologies and data analytics while striving to create a better future for all agricultural stakeholders. The forum serves as a platform to promote cross-cultural learning as we hear from the experiences of our colleagues about fostering lifelong learning through digital technologies and data analytics, while addressing equity concerns.

To join, click the link below or scan the QR Code: https://ipb.link/rassearegistrationform-2025

Stay tuned for more announcements!

#4thRASSEAMeeting

Are you looking to build a career in Agri-food Extension and Advisory services in Canada?

Dear esteemed colleagues and agricultural extension professionals, You are cordially invited to attend an international panel discussion hosted by APIRAS and AESA, focusing on Higher Studies and Career Opportunities in Agri-food Extension and Advisory in Canada.

This webinar will be held on Wednesday, 23 July 2025 at 8:30 PM WIB (7:00 PM IST) via Google Meet.

Distinguished speakers from both Canada and Asia will share insights into academic pathways, sectoral advancements, and strategic opportunities in the field of agricultural extension and advisory services. Participants will gain valuable perspectives on transnational collaboration, emerging trends, and steps to pursue careers within Canada’s agri-food systems.

This event is particularly suited for students, extensionists, and professionals seeking to broaden their international exposure and engage in progressive dialogues on global agricultural development.

We look forward to your presence and participation in what promises to be an enlightening and impactful session.”

APIRAS and AESA are excited to host an upcoming session featuring a panel of seasoned professionals with extensive experience in higher education and agri-food careers in Canada. They will share their personal journeys, challenges, and valuable insights into the opportunities available for extension graduates and professionals.

If you’re interested in attending, please register your interest using the Google Form here.

Register now: https://forms.gle/n79xetyNnjjtwGVx9

Agricultural Extension and Advisory Services (EAS) play a critical role in enhancing farmers’ capacities, increasing productivity, and ensuring the sustainability of food systems. Amid global challenges such as climate change, urbanization, and an aging farming population, Southeast Asian countries like Indonesia, Malaysia, and the Philippines are undergoing a profound transformation in how EAS are designed and delivered, moving toward market-oriented, digitally enabled, and inclusive systems.

This transformation represents a transition from conventional, top-down strategies to more inclusive, collaborative models. These new approaches foster cooperation between the public sector, private entities, research institutions, farmer organizations, and civil society. The subsequent country insights highlight the changing dynamics of agricultural extension throughout the region.

Indonesia: A Dynamic and Digitally-Driven Advisory Ecosystem

Indonesia has one of the most complex EAS ecosystems in the region, with institutions such as the Indonesia Forum for Rural Advisory Services (IFRAS), the Association for Agricultural Extension of Indonesia (PERHIPTANI), and the Indonesia Association for Development Extension (PAPPI) driving innovation and cross-country collaboration through platforms like RASSEA. The country hosted the RASSEA meetings in 2019 and 2021, highlighting its leadership role.

Digital transformation is now a key aspect of agricultural extension in Indonesia. In 2023, almost 50% of farmers utilize smartphones and modern equipment for cultivation and post-harvest activities. Moreover, approximately 61% of smallholders overseeing plots less than 0.5 hectares, particularly younger farmers, are actively using mobile technology and social media to obtain agricultural information and connect with markets.

Despite this progress, Indonesia faces a significant human resource gap, with only around 40,000 extension workers available to serve over 83,000 villages. This has prompted a hybrid approach that incorporates traditional field extension with digital tools to ensure broader outreach. The government’s 2023 National e-Agriculture Strategy aims to establish a unified farmer database, digital early warning systems, and real-time data platforms by 2027, marking a major step toward integrated digital governance in agriculture.

Malaysia: Advancing Modernization and Sustainable Practices

Malaysia has embraced a market-responsive extension model with robust support from the Department of Agriculture. As a proactive participant in RASSEA, Malaysia encourages the use of information and communication technologies (ICT) to connect with farmers and disseminate knowledge.

Despite a decrease in agriculture’s contribution to GDP from 38% in 1962 to 8.9% in 2022, the sector continues to employ around 1.86 million individuals, highlighting its enduring socio-economic significance. Nevertheless, only 5% of the nation’s 7.6 million hectares of farmland is irrigated, which limits productivity improvements. While rice fields, which average 1.06 hectares per farm, are almost entirely mechanized, other industries like oil palm and rubber are trailing behind.

To tackle this issue, the government offers financial incentives and modernization programs for smallholders, facilitating the shift towards more efficient and sustainable agricultural systems.

The Philippines: Bridging Institutional and Digital Gaps

In the Philippines, EAS delivery is guided by a decentralized framework established through the 1991 Local Government Code. Implementation is led by local government units (LGUs) and supported by the Bureau of Agricultural Extension and the Agricultural Training Institute. The country also actively participates in RASSEA through PhilEASNet, which will host the 4th RASSEA Biennial Meeting virtually in September 2025.

As of 2022, agriculture employed about 24% of the national workforce (approximately 10.7 million people) but contributed only 8.9% to GDP, indicating a productivity challenge. A significant bottleneck stems from the shortage of Agricultural Extension Workers (AEWs) and limited incentives for professionals to work in remote areas.

The Department of Agriculture is piloting e-extension programs, but their impact remains limited due to constraints in rural ICT infrastructure, digital literacy, and the availability of trained personnel at the barangay (village) level.

Towards Responsive, Inclusive, and Sustainable Advisory Services

Across the three countries, it is clear that EAS must evolve beyond traditional paradigms to meet the demands of modern agriculture. The transformation should not only emphasize technological adoption but also focus on developing human capacity and ensuring equitable access to services.

Digital transformation offers great potential but remains uneven. While smartphones, drones, and agricultural apps are increasingly adopted by progressive farmers, gaps in digital infrastructure and literacy persist, especially among smallholders in remote areas. Expanding access to connectivity, creating user-friendly platforms, and improving digital skills among farmers are essential to maximizing the impact of e-extension initiatives.

At the same time, strengthening the extension workforce remains a critical priority. Countries like Indonesia and the Philippines face acute shortages of trained extension personnel. Addressing this requires strategic investments in recruitment, continuous training, better compensation, and logistical support to enhance mobility and reach underserved areas.

A shared challenge among these nations is the aging farming population. Without proactive strategies, the agricultural sector risks losing its future workforce. EAS must evolve to attract millennials and Gen Z farmers by offering entrepreneurial training, vocational education, and incentive schemes that reposition farming as a viable and rewarding livelihood.

Indonesia offers a promising model through its multi-stakeholder partnerships, which engage public institutions, private sector actors, farmer groups, and civil society to deliver extension services. Such collaborative approaches could be replicated in Malaysia and the Philippines to strengthen outreach and foster innovation.

Ultimately, modernizing production systems is essential for achieving national food security and enhancing agricultural competitiveness. Malaysia’s experience highlights the significance of expanding mechanization and irrigation infrastructure—not only for rice but also for key crops like oil palm and rubber.

Conclusion

The transformation of agricultural extension and advisory services in Indonesia, Malaysia, and the Philippines reflects regional momentum toward systems that are inclusive, tech-enabled, and market-responsive. By investing in digital tools, empowering extension workers, fostering partnerships, and engaging the next generation of farmers, these countries can build resilient and sustainable agricultural sectors.

If sustained and scaled effectively, these reforms will not only improve farm productivity and income but also reinforce the social fabric of rural communities and ensure the region’s food future amidst rapid change.

Los Baños, Philippines June 2025 — The Rural Advisory Services – Southeast Asia (RASSEA) proudly congratulates Dr. Epsi Euriga, S.E., M.Sc, Program Manager at RASSEA and Assistant Professor in Sustainable Agriculture Extension at the Indonesian Agricultural Development Polytechnic – Yogyakarta Magelang, Ministry of Agriculture, Republic of Indonesia, for her selection as a SEARCA scholar for the 2025 Training-Workshop on Transformational Agricultural Innovation Systems for the New Future (TrAInS).

This prestigious regional workshop, co-organized by the Southeast Asian Regional Center for Graduate Study and Research in Agriculture (SEARCA), the Center for Research on Innovation and Science Policy (CRISP), and the Asia-Pacific Islands Rural Advisory Services Network (APIRAS), will be held from 16–20 June 2025 in Los Baños, Laguna, Philippines.

As one of the selected scholars from Southeast Asia, Dr. Euriga will join a cohort of researchers, extension leaders, and policy practitioners in a transformative learning journey that aims to:

• Deepen understanding of Agricultural Innovation Systems (AIS) concepts and practices;
• Equip participants with tools to design and implement transformative AIS at national and organizational levels;
• Develop tailored capacity development interventions to address real-world agricultural challenges;
• Promote inclusive and sustainable innovation through emerging technologies.

Day 1 Highlights | SEARCA TrAInS 2025

Dr. Epsi Euriga Presents Indonesia’s Agricultural Innovation Landscape in Regional Workshop

The 2025 Training Workshop on Transformational Agricultural Innovation Systems for the New Future (TrAInS) officially commenced at the SEARCA Headquarters, bringing together agricultural development leaders from across Southeast Asia. The program is co-organized by the Southeast Asian Regional Center for Graduate Study and Research in Agriculture (SEARCA), the Center for Research on Innovation and Science Policy (CRISP), and the Asia-Pacific Islands Rural Advisory Services Network (APIRAS).

Recap of Day 1 Sessions and Dialogue

Opening Remarks
Dr. Mercedita Sombilla, SEARCA Center Director, welcomed participants with a call to reimagine innovation through regional cooperation and system transformation. On behalf of Dr. Mercedita Sombilla, SEARCA Center Director, the welcome message was delivered by Assoc. Prof. Ts. Dr. Nur Azura Binti Adam, Deputy Director for Programs at SEARCA. She emphasized the importance of regional cooperation and transformational thinking in addressing the complexities of agricultural innovation, calling on participants to champion inclusive and system-based approaches for sustainable development in Southeast Asia.

Program Introduction
Dr. Nova Ramos, Head of SEARCA’s Training for Development Unit, facilitated introductions of participants and training teams, setting the stage for collaboration.

Workshop Overview
Dr. Virginia Cardenas, former SEARCA Deputy Director, outlined the learning objectives—emphasizing systems thinking, policy engagement, and capacity strengthening for sustainable innovation.

Country Report Presentations
Participants presented their pre-training assignments, guided by Dr. Cardenas. Dr. Euriga’s comprehensive analysis of Indonesia’s AIS prompted an insightful discussion on policy and institutional reform.

Representing Indonesia and RASSEA, Dr. Epsi Euriga, S.E., M.Sc, Assistant Professor in Sustainable Agriculture Extension at the Indonesian Agricultural Development Polytechnic – Yogyakarta Magelang, opened Day 1’s technical sessions with her presentation of Indonesia’s agricultural innovation system. As the Program Manager at RASSEA, she contributed unique insights into Indonesia’s multi-layered extension and research landscape.

🇮🇩 Indonesia’s Agricultural Innovation System: Challenges and Pathways

Dr. Euriga’s presentation addressed six interrelated themes:

1. Socioeconomic Profile – She discussed Indonesia’s persistent rural poverty, income disparities, nutritional gaps, and the vital role of agriculture as a source of livelihood.
2. Agricultural Innovation System (AIS) – She analyzed the country’s research-extension-development (RED) structure, institutional governance, and gaps in multi-actor collaboration.
3. Society 5.0-Enabled Agriculture – Dr. Euriga explained the human-centered, tech-driven vision of Society 5.0 and its influence on future innovation and extension approaches.
4. Agriculture 5.0 in Indonesia – While innovation is emerging, challenges persist, including digital infrastructure, skills gaps, and adoption inequality across regions.
5. Graduate Competencies – She stressed the need for digital literacy, critical thinking, and interdisciplinary problem-solving among future agricultural professionals.
6. Responsive Innovation – She recommended participatory, inclusive innovation models, community co-creation, and greater policy coherence to support transformation.

Session 1: Agricultural Policy & Structural Challenges

Led by Asst. Prof. Geny Lapiña (University of the Philippines Los Baños) led this session, which examined the role of agriculture in providing food, feed, fiber, and fuel within the broader development agenda. He introduced a macro policy perspective, stressing:

• The structural transformation underway in Southeast Asia and its painful trade-offs for smallholder farmers.
• The need for integrated supply-side and demand-side policy standards.
• Recognition of hidden food costs—from health risks and environmental degradation to social externalities.
  He concluded by advocating for political will, inclusive governance, and economic strategies that protect farm households during periods of transition.

Session 2: Understanding and Strengthening AIS

Dr. Rasheed Sulaiman V, Director of CRISP (India), delivered a thought-provoking session on emerging frameworks and performance metrics for Agricultural Innovation Systems (AIS). Key points included:

• AIS involves interconnected actors, institutions, and enabling policies.
• Institutions and policies shape governance, collaboration, and the nature of policy engagement.
• Beyond technical expertise, countries must develop functional capacities at the individual, organizational, and systemic levels to drive innovation.

Participants were encouraged to look beyond traditional research and extension models and view AIS as a dynamic and evolving system influenced by context, power dynamics, and policy environments.

🔍 Afternoon Workshop: Barriers and Drivers of Change in AIS

Facilitated by Dr. Virginia Cardenas and the SEARCA team, participants engaged in a group analysis exercise to identify key barriers, facilitators, and drivers of change within their national AIS.

RASSEA in the Regional AIS Conversation

Dr. Euriga’s Day 1 contribution showcased how Indonesian institutions are embracing innovation while navigating structural challenges. Her insights reinforced RASSEA’s mission to foster inclusive, scalable, and context-sensitive rural advisory systems in Southeast Asia.

“This workshop is not only a learning space but a movement towards integrated, functional innovation systems that respond to people’s real needs,” said Dr. Euriga.

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The International Food Policy Research Institute (IFPRI) has released its highly anticipated 2025 Global Food Policy Report, titled Food Policy: Lessons and Priorities for a Changing World, edited by Johan Swinnen and Christopher B. Barrett.

Over the past five decades, global food systems have undergone profound transformation. Throughout this period, food policy research has played a vital role in informing decisions that promote agricultural growth, improve livelihoods, and enhance food security and nutrition worldwide.

This latest edition of the Global Food Policy Report reflects on the evolution and impact of food policy research and explores how it can better support policymakers in addressing emerging challenges and opportunities. The report’s chapters offer critical insights and identify priority research areas through 2050.

Featured Chapter: Agricultural Extension Services – From Transfer of Technology to Facilitation for Innovation

Chapter 8, titled Agricultural Extension Services: From Transfer of Technology to Facilitation for Innovation, highlights the evolving role of agricultural extension and rural advisory services in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs). Authored by Kristin Davis, Rikin Gandhi, Jawoo Koo, Berber Kramer, Alesha Miller, Jona Repishti, David J. Spielman, and Rasheed Sulaiman V., the chapter examines the transition from traditional top-down approaches to a more inclusive and innovation-driven model.

Drawing on IFPRI’s “best fit” framework, the authors analyze how extension services have become increasingly pluralistic—incorporating diverse methods and actors—to better support farmers in boosting productivity, strengthening resilience, and conserving essential natural resources.

To read this chapter, click on the link below:

https://cgspace.cgiar.org/server/api/core/bitstreams/53dc42c6-43e6-4c64-8d1f-89f3429f3bb0/content

To read the full report, click here: https://cgspace.cgiar.org/server/api/core/bitstreams/c55dd818-5f9b-4536-b552-7c37b094030d/content

To read the synopsis, click here: https://cgspace.cgiar.org/server/api/core/bitstreams/270d3c16-d2b1-4640-ba39-58fd7c21cc87/content

To register for the online launch event on 28 May 2025 (6.30 PM India Time), click here:

https://www.ifpri.org/event/2025-global-food-policy-report-food-policy-research-for-a-brighter-future-looking-towards-2050/

https://www.ifpri.org/event/2025-global-food-policy-report-food-policy-research-for-a-brighter-future-looking-towards-2050/

https://www.ifpri.org/event/2025-global-food-policy-report-food-policy-research-for-a-brighter-future-looking-towards-2050/

This year, the 2nd ASEAN University Symposium for Sustainable Food Systems was proudly hosted by the Faculty of Economics and Management, IPB University, in collaboration with eight partner universities from across Southeast Asia.

This symposium builds upon the initial meeting held in April 2024, during which IPB University established a regional network of ASEAN universities. Together with 10 universities from 8 ASEAN countries, the network aims to collaboratively explore and develop sustainable food systems across the region.

The event brought together a diverse group of stakeholders who shared insights on the current state of food systems and engaged in meaningful discussions on how to achieve a more sustainable and ideal future.

Read more: https://www.ipb.ac.id/news/index/2025/05/ipb-university-hosts-symposium-for-sustainable-food-system-collaboration-of-10-universities-from-8-asean-countries/

On Thursday, May 8, 2025, the Asia-Pacific Association of Agricultural Research Institutions (APAARI) hosted an essential webinar as part of the Community of Practice on Food Loss and Waste (FLAW) initiative. The session, titled “The Silent Famine: Asia Pacific’s Hidden Emergency of Food Loss and Waste,” focused on the urgent need to address the often-overlooked issue of food loss and waste in the Asia-Pacific region. A representative from RASSEA attended the webinar. This community of practice was established to raise awareness, encourage knowledge exchange, promote collaboration, initiate impactful programs and projects, and drive policy advocacy aimed at minimizing FLAW across the region.

During the session, Dr. Ravi Khetarpal, Executive Director of APAARI, emphasized the critical issue of food loss and waste, describing it as a hidden emergency with global implications. Food loss, as he explained, occurs during production, post-harvest, and processing stages. Alarmingly, 15% of all food produced is lost on farms during, around, and shortly after harvest. This represents a staggering amount of vegetables, fruits, grains, and other food that could potentially feed 870 million undernourished people four times over. Food loss refers to a decrease in the quantity or quality of food caused by decisions and actions of food suppliers in the supply chain, excluding retailers, food service providers, and consumers.

In the Asia-Pacific region, the majority of food waste—approximately 53%—comes from households. Since 2010, the level of household food waste has consistently increased, reaching 72 kilograms per capita in 2022. If this number could be reduced, the positive impact would be extraordinary. For example, saving just 25% of current food loss and waste would be enough to feed 870 million people. Even more impressively, if the Asia-Pacific region could cut its food waste by half, it would save 456 million tons of food—sufficient to feed 300 million food-insecure individuals.

The webinar emphasized that Asia is a significant hub for the wastage of cereals and rice, which greatly contributes to environmental harm. The Asia-Pacific region is responsible for over half of the global food loss and waste. As reported by the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) in 2022, the annual economic loss from food loss and waste (FLAW) in this region reaches an astounding USD 940 billion. If no urgent measures are taken, this amount is expected to double by 2050. In developing nations, a noteworthy 40% of food losses happen during the post-harvest handling and processing stages, highlighting these phases as key opportunities for intervention. The stages leading to food loss and waste encompass production, post-harvest handling and storage, processing and packaging, distribution and retail, and consumption. Among these, the post-harvest handling and storage phase accounts for the largest proportion of food loss and waste at 40%.

The impacts of FLAW extend far beyond economics. Environmentally, food loss and waste are responsible for 8–10% of global greenhouse gas emissions and contribute to land degradation. Economically, smallholder farmers suffer the most, losing between 20–50% of their income due to inefficiencies in the food value chain, as reported by the World Bank in 2023. Additionally, FLAW exacerbates malnutrition, resulting in a loss of 24% of available calories in the Asia-Pacific region. To illustrate, saving just 1.3 million tons of food annually could provide enough sustenance for 3 million people.

Dr. Khetarpal also discussed actionable steps to minimize food waste. He emphasized that simple changes at the household level can make a significant difference. For instance, planning meals in advance allows consumers to purchase only what they need, reducing the risk of food spoilage. Proper storage of food, particularly fruits and vegetables in the refrigerator, can extend their shelf life and prevent waste. Furthermore, composting food scraps converts what would otherwise be discarded into nutrient-rich soil, supporting the environment and relieving pressure on landfills.

He also introduced FAO’s strategic framework for combating FLAW, known as the five-pillar strategy. This framework includes raising awareness and building partnerships, identifying critical points where losses are greatest, mobilizing investments to support solutions, tracking and monitoring progress to ensure accountability, and integrating governance to facilitate long-term policy and structural changes.

As a call to action, Dr. Khetarpal emphasized the need for involvement from all sectors of society. Governments must take the lead in enforcing effective food policies and investing in food infrastructure. Businesses have a vital role in adopting circular economy practices that prioritize sustainability and reduce waste. Consumers can contribute by making conscious decisions at home, particularly by minimizing food waste in their daily lives. These collective efforts align with the global goal to achieve zero waste in key sectors and regions by the year 2030, marking a major milestone toward sustainable materials and food management.

In closing, Dr. Ravi Khetarpal delivered a memorable and heartfelt message. He invited everyone to reflect on the wisdom of our grandmothers, who taught us never to waste food and to cherish every meal. “We must return to that mindset,” he said, “and honor our food by valuing it — not wasting it.”

Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) has officially announced an extension for the FFS Innovation Award 2025 application deadline. Applicants now have until 25 May 2025 to submit their proposals.

This award offers a valuable opportunity for individuals and organizations working in the field of agriculture, particularly those involved in the Farmer Field School (FFS) approach, to showcase innovative and impactful ideas. Submissions are welcome in Arabic, English, French, or Spanish.

For full details and to apply, visit the official FAO page: https://www.fao.org/science-technology-and-innovation/ffs-innovation-award-2025/en

FAO opens the second edition of the Farmer Field Schools Innovation Award! Applications can be submitted in Arabic, English, French, and Spanish. According to Jordan Houegban (OIN FAO), this award celebrates innovative solutions implemented through Farmer Field Schools (FFS) that contribute to sustainable agrifood systems, promote agroecological transitions, strengthen local economies, and drive social inclusion. The award offers not only recognition and visibility, but also mentorship and the opportunity to showcase your innovation at the FAO Science and Innovation Forum in Rome, October 2025.

More information about this, can be accessed through this link: https://www.fao.org/science-technology-and-innovation/ffs-innovation-award-2025/en

Local dairy farmers in Indonesia are currently grappling with significant challenges. These include low productivity, milk prices that do not match production costs, and intense competition from imported products. These factors collectively contribute to imbalances in the national milk supply chain, directly affecting the welfare of small-scale farmers.

According to data from BPS-Statistics Indonesia, in 2021, per capita milk consumption in Indonesia for  2020 reached only 16.27 kilograms. This figure is far below the minimum standard set by the FAO, which is 30 kilograms per capita per year. Meanwhile, as of 2024, national fresh milk production stood at 927,874 tons, while national demand reached 4.6 million tons. This indicates that approximately 80 percent of the demand for milk is still met through imports.

The current level of milk production is primarily attributed to the small-scale nature of most dairy farming enterprises, which usually engage only two to five cows per farmer, along with the continued use of conventional farming techniques. The national milk productivity is set at 10 to 15 liters per cow per day, which significantly lags behind countries like New Zealand, where productivity can reach up to 30 liters.

The problems do not stop there. In many regions, farmers sell milk to cooperatives at prices ranging from IDR 3,400 to IDR 5,600 per liter, while market prices can reach IDR 8,000 to IDR 10,000 per liter. This price disparity makes it difficult for farmers to cover essential expenses such as feed, animal health, and operational needs.

So, what is the solution?

One promising approach lies in empowerment-based communication through agricultural extension. In this context, extension services go beyond simply transmitting technical information; they aim to raise awareness, build skills, and foster independence among farmers.

A successful example of this approach is the collaborative program between the Polytechnic of Agricultural Development (Polbangtan) Bogor and Mercy-USA, which provides dairy agribusiness training. This program educates farmers in business management, instills an entrepreneurial spirit, and supplies resources to enhance productivity. The initiative has become a model for extension programs in the Bogor area, incorporating environmentally friendly practices to promote sustainable farming.

Not only are the government and NGOs playing a role, but business actors and SMEs are also getting involved. For instance, the SME Susu Mbok Darmi actively purchases milk directly from farmers at more equitable prices and provides cooling tanks to maintain milk freshness during distribution. This practice not only preserves quality but also increases farmer income. Data from the Village Cooperative Unit (KUD) Cepogo in Boyolali Regency shows that in 2019-2020, dairy farmers owning an average of five dairy cows earned a gross monthly income of around IDR 5,25 million (USD 345). After deducting operational costs of IDR 4,1 million (USD 270), farmers still take home a net income of IDR 1,15 million (USD 75) per month. This is a positive development, especially for small-scale farmers.

PT Nestlé Indonesia has also shown a strong commitment to farmer empowerment by partnering with over 27,000 local farmers and 32 dairy cooperatives in East and Central Java. Nestlé sources fresh milk from these farmers to process at its facilities, including the Bandaraya Plant in Batang, Central Java. This partnership offers farmers a stable market and fosters local economic growth.

Such collective efforts must be further improved. By forming partnerships among extension agents, cooperatives, entrepreneurs, and farmers, the dairy farming sector can achieve greater self-reliance, sustainability, and—most importantly—profitability for all stakeholders. This is clear evidence that collaborative extension is no longer optional but necessary.

Original Article: https://www.sdc-foodsystems.ch/en/ras-for-improved-nutrition

Rural Advisory Services (RAS) are key to tackling malnutrition in rural areas. GFRAS networks are involved in a Community of Practice (CoP) identifying case studies, promoting nutrition-sensitive agriculture, leveraging digital tools and multi-stakeholder engagement. Learn about a case from Indonesia about RAS can transform nutrition outcomes in the region and beyond.

AFS Newsletter – Article by

Ingrid Oliveira Silva Keller
Global Forum for Rural Advisory Services
ingrid.oliveira@g-fras.org   l LinkedIn

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Rural Advisory Services (RAS) have long been recognized as a powerful tool for improving agricultural practices and livelihoods in rural communities. However, their potential to address nutrition and health challenges has gained increasing attention in recent years. With the rise of the “nutrition-sensitive agriculture” approach, RAS is now seen as a promising channel for improving nutrition and health outcomes in rural households. We look at a case from Indonesia, where malnutrition remains a significant challenge, with the country facing a triple burden of undernutrition, over nutrition, and micronutrient deficiencies.

The Global Forum for Rural Advisory Services (GFRAS) has been long active exploring how RAS can be leveraged to improve nutrition. Through its Nutrition and Health in Advisory Services Working Group (NWG), GFRAS provides a central forum for RAS actors to create, share, and promote good practices on integrating nutrition into advisory services. This case study highlights the collaborative efforts between two GFRAS networks, namely RELASER in Latin America and RAS-SEA in Southeast Asia, and their work in Indonesia.

The Case of Indonesia: Addressing the Triple Burden of Malnutrition

Indonesia’s agricultural extension system has historically played a crucial role in the country’s development. Despite evolving and improving the quality of life of its citizens, the country continues to face significant nutrition challenges. The triple burden of malnutrition has become a pressing issue, particularly in rural areas where access to nutritious food and nutrition education is limited.

To address these challenges, Indonesia has implemented several policies and programs aimed at strengthening agricultural extension services and integrating nutrition into these services. For example, Presidential Regulation Number 35/2022 emphasizes the importance of agricultural extension in improving food security, productivity, and the application of technology in farming. Additionally, the country has established a Community of Practice (CoP) on Extension and Advisory Services for Nutrition Security, which brings together a diverse group of stakeholders, including agricultural extensionists, researchers, academics, civil society representatives, and youth.

The CoP serves as a platform for knowledge exchange and collaboration, with the goal of developing sustainable solutions to nutrition challenges. It focuses on sharing best practices, developing capacity, and advocating for the integration of nutrition into extension services. The CoP also emphasizes the importance of using new media and digital technologies to disseminate nutrition information and engage multiple stakeholders in the process.

Country Fora Contribution to the Community of Practice

The involvement of Country Fora, which are national RAS platforms that include multi-actor participation working in advisory services, has been instrumental in the success of the CoP. In Indonesia, the Country Fora, represented by the Indonesia Forum for Rural Advisory Services (IFRAS), played a key role in launching the CoP. The CoP was officially inaugurated on June 29, 2024, through an offline meeting held at IPB University Campus. This event marked the beginning of a collaborative effort to integrate nutrition into extension and advisory services effectively.

Since its launch, the CoP has been actively managed, with monthly meetings held since July 2024. These meetings have provided a platform for stakeholders to share experiences, discuss challenges, and develop innovative solutions for improving nutrition outcomes. The 9th CoP Meeting, scheduled for March 21, 2025, will focus on the strategic role of Female Farmer’s Groups in achieving food and nutrition security. An extension worker from the Agency of Agriculture in Karawang District, West Java Province, will share field experiences on this topic, highlighting the critical role women play in nutrition-sensitive agriculture.

Learning Events and Collaboration Between GFRAS Networks

The collaboration between RELASER and RAS-SEA has been instrumental in advancing the integration of nutrition into RAS in Indonesia. Both networks have facilitated learning events and knowledge-sharing activities that have helped to build the capacity of extension workers and other stakeholders.

One such event was a series of webinars on Nutrition-Sensitive Agriculture (NSA) organized by RAS-SEA from August 2023 to October 2024. These webinars provided extension workers with the knowledge and skills needed to deliver nutrition-sensitive advisory services. Topics covered included the development of extension materials on NSA, the use of information and communication technologies (ICT) in extension services, and the importance of considering local food resources and market demand in nutrition interventions.

In addition to the webinars, a kick-off meeting for the CoP on Nutrition-Sensitive Extension and Advisory Services (NSEAS) was held in June 2024. This meeting brought together representatives from various organizations, including the Indonesia Forum for Rural Advisory Services (IFRAS), the Indonesia Association for Development Extension (PAPPI), and the Indonesia Agency of Research and Innovation (BRIN). The meeting highlighted the importance of multi-stakeholder engagement in addressing nutrition challenges and identified key areas for action, such as promoting bio-fortified crops and addressing the rise of chronic renal diseases in young children.

Key Findings and Recommendations

The work of the CoP and the collaboration between RELASER and RAS-SEA have yielded several important insights and recommendations for integrating nutrition into RAS. These recommendations are based on the experiences and lessons learned from the CoP and other learning events.

• Investment in Nutrition Should Be a Priority
  Addressing the triple burden of malnutrition requires a multidisciplinary approach that encompasses the entire life cycle, from preconception to old age. Strategic initiatives should focus on improving nutrition during critical periods, such as pregnancy, infancy, and early childhood, to prevent long-term health issues.
• Improve Community Nutrition through Enhanced Food Production and Distribution
  Community nutrition can be improved by increasing the quality and availability of nutritious food, enhancing distribution channels, and promoting the fortification and supplementation of micronutrients. Extension services should also focus on fostering behavioural changes and improving food security at the individual, family, and community levels.
• Adopt a Comprehensive Approach to Integrating Nutrition into RAS
  To effectively integrate nutrition into RAS, the following strategies should be implemented:
  • Leverage New Media and Digital Technologies: Mobile applications, e-learning platforms, and social media can be used to disseminate nutrition information and educate people about healthy eating habits.
  • Engage Multiple Stakeholders: Collaboration between the Ministry of Health, the Ministry of Agriculture, NGOs, and the private sector is essential for the success of nutrition programs.
  • Implement Participatory and Inclusive Approaches: Programs should involve the community, particularly mothers and vulnerable groups, in nutrition counseling and education activities.
  • Develop Capacity and Empower Communities: Training local health cadres and community leaders to disseminate nutrition information can help to build local capacity and empower communities to address nutrition challenges.
  • Establish a Robust Monitoring and Evaluation System: A well-developed data-based monitoring and evaluation system is essential for tracking the progress of nutrition programs and adjusting strategies as needed.
• Promote Networking and Knowledge Sharing
  The CoP has demonstrated the value of networking and knowledge sharing in addressing nutrition challenges. By bringing together stakeholders from diverse backgrounds, the CoP has been able to generate innovative solutions and advocate for policy changes that promote nutrition security.

Conclusion

The collaboration between RELASER and RAS-SEA, along with the establishment of the CoP on Extension and Advisory Services for Nutrition Security in Indonesia, highlights the potential of RAS to address nutrition challenges in rural communities. By leveraging the far-reaching networks of RAS and adopting a comprehensive, multi-stakeholder approach, it is possible to improve nutrition outcomes and contribute to the overall well-being of rural populations.

The recommendations outlined in this case study provide a roadmap for integrating nutrition into RAS effectively. However, sustained investment and commitment from governments, NGOs, and other stakeholders will be essential for achieving long-term impact. As the work of the CoP and the collaboration between GFRAS networks continue, there is hope that these efforts will inspire similar initiatives in other regions and contribute to the global fight against malnutrition

Read more:

Policy Brief – Community of Practices on Extension and Advisory Services for Nutrition Security in Indonesia: A Sustainable Agri-Food Systems Approach

Original Article Source: https://www.sdc-foodsystems.ch/en/ras-for-improved-nutrition

The 10th meeting of the Community of Practice (CoP) on Effecting Integration of Nutrition into Extension and Advisory Services (EAS) was convened by RASSEA on Wednesday, April 23, 2025, in partnership with Puan Tani, a civil society Organization dedicated to empowering female farmers across various regions of Indonesia. Puan Tani is a member of both RASSEA and IFRAS. The meeting addressed the theme, “The Daily Reality of Village Communities in the Production and Consumption of Nutritious Food.” The agenda featured two volunteers, Ms. Ratih Purwasih (from Citorek Kidul Village, Lebak, Banten) and Ms. Dahria Achmad (from Nabire, Central Papua). Dr. Siti Amanah opened the CoP meeting by briefly explaining the background and objectives of the CoP, and Ms. Lani Eugenia of Puan Tani chaired the sharing session. Attendees included members of the RASSEA team, the board of Puan Tani, representatives from IFRAS, delegates from the Indonesian Association of Development Extension Experts (PAPPI), community nutrition experts, extension workers from several regions in Indonesia, academics, researchers, students, and youth representatives (Figure 1). The focus of the discussion within the CoP emphasized how the initiatives and movements of women, in collaboration with rural communities, address family nutritional needs.

Summary of Interactive Dialogue at the 10th CoP Meeting

• Ms. Ratih Purwasih mentioned that in Citorek Kidul Village, where most people work as farmers, carbohydrates are obtained independently by planting local rice varieties. Rice is planted once a year, and after harvesting, the rice fields are converted into ponds for carp farming. Subsequently, these ponds are used to grow horticultural crops.             
• The main challenge in fulfilling nutritional intake in Citorek Kidul Village is the lack of community literacy regarding nutrition. The sustainable food yard (P2L) program and the stunting campaign have been quite successful in raising public awareness about balanced nutritional intake and efforts to achieve it independently. After the P2L program ended, the local community attempted to meet their nutritional needs independently by growing vegetables in their yards, but they faced obstacles due to limited space. Ratih provided an example of how to fulfill family nutrition independently by growing vegetables and fruits on idle land. Currently, public awareness of balanced nutritional intake is beginning to increase.
• Ms. Dahria Achmad, from Nabire, Papua, shared her experience of meeting the nutritional needs of the community, which includes Indigenous Papuans (OAP) and Non-OAP. For carbohydrates, both OAP and Non-OAP cultivate their own crops, while vegetables, fruits, and proteins are occasionally sourced independently and sometimes purchased from the market.
• Local communities are susceptible to various nutritional issues and non-communicable diseases because of their low nutritional status. Moreover, cultural factors significantly affect nutritional status, particularly among native Papuans.
• Community Nutrition Expert Dr. Clara Meliyanti Kusharto shares her experience using catfish as a reliable source of protein and proposes a replica of a successful livestock distribution system to enhance nutrition and livelihoods. One of her innovations, Clarias biscuits, made from catfish flour, can be used to prevent stunting because they are rich in both macro and micronutrients.

The CoP meeting was further enlivened by an icebreaker that involved guessing songs related to women and Kartini Day, aimed at appreciating women’s struggles in family and society. Kartini Day is celebrated on April 21 each year in Indonesia to honor the efforts of Kartini, the daughter of a Regent in Jepara, Central Java, for her role in the emancipation of women. 

Follow-up and Recommendations

The government must be more proactive in organizing various activities to raise public awareness about nutrition. This can be achieved by providing incentives or special affirmations, ranging from the production phase to household consumption. Strengthening nutrition-sensitive extension services must be prioritized, as extension workers are the primary agents at the community level. These workers can be trained and developed to enhance their capacity to perform their duties and functions effectively. The roles of self-help extension workers, government extension workers, and private extension workers should collaborate directly or through effective communication media to improve households’ ability to meet their food and nutrition needs appropriately. This collaboration is crucial for enhancing the quality of human resources, particularly considering that the prevalence of stunting in childrenremains exist in Indonesia (as shown in Figure 2).

A sustainable food and agriculture system is essential. In this context, all elements of society must be involved, including women (both in female farmers’ groups and other community groups), who should have access to opportunities, particularly for accessing and utilizing appropriate agricultural information and innovations that align with local needs and resource conditions. Women are strategically raising public awareness and implementing diverse, nutritious, balanced, and safe food production and consumption (B2SA).

This year’s Rural Advisory Services for Southeast Asia (RASSEA) Forum and Fourth Biennial Meeting, happening on September 26, 2025 via Zoom Meeting, centers around the compelling theme: “Rural Advisory Services and Lifelong Learning for Agricultural Innovations in the Digital Era.” The event seeks to explore how digital technologies and data analytics are reshaping the agricultural landscape—bringing opportunities for efficiency and innovation, while also raising critical questions about equity and access. As digitalization offers timely, accurate data that empowers decision-making, concerns are growing about how these advancements may unintentionally leave small and medium-sized farmers behind, especially those in remote rural communities. As we move forward in this exciting yet uncertain digital age, we invite experts, country members, and stakeholder representatives to share their real-world experiences and insights on leveraging digital tools while ensuring inclusivity and sustainability in rural advisory services.

As we know, Rural Advisory Services for Southeast Asia (RASSEA) is a forum designed to enable multiple stakeholders in extension education and rural advisory services (RAS) to collaborate and improve the quality of RAS in pursuit of sustainable agri-food systems.  It acts as a subregional network of Asia Pacific Islands Rural Advisory Services (APIRAS) and is a member of the Global Forum for Rural Advisory Services (GFRAS). RASSEA has a strategic plan for 2021-2030 that serves as a platform for developing activities both internally and fostering synergy and collaboration with various stakeholders. RASSEA has implemented programs that facilitate the exchange of knowledge and experiences among country forums (CFs).

Currently, there are three CFs in RASSEA: the Philippines Extension and Advisory Services (PhilEASNet) forum, the Indonesia Forum for Rural Advisory Services (IFRAS), and the Malaysia Forum for Rural Advisory Services (MAFRAS) Network. According to the latest update, Timor Leste is interested in establishing a country forum, and this initiative is still under discussion among colleagues in Timor Leste.  Since its establishment, RASSEA has organized three biennial meetings, in 2019 (co-organized with Faculty of Human Ecology (FEMA) IPB University), in 2021 (co-organized with Indonesia Forum for Rural Advisory Services (IFRAS) & Indonesia Association for Development Extension (PAPPI)), and in 2023 (co-organized with Malaysia Forum for Rural Advisory Services (MAFRAS)). In the fourth RASSEA Biennial Meeting, The PhilEASNet and RASSEA have been in close co-operation to organize the event.  We met together with representative of CFs to prepare the biennial meeting.

The objective of the fourth Biennial RASSEA Meeting is to share members’ experiences and develop recommendations for enhancing extension and advisory services (EAS). We will manage the event in two sessions. The first session will be the internal business for the CFs and RASSEA, and the second will be opened for public where we invite speakers to inspire transformative changes and innovations towards the future. Let’s stay in touch for the next update regarding the event.

Singapore University of Social Sciences (SUSS) will hold the inaugural Re:Define Success conference in Singapore from 8 to 10 September 2025.  This conference is organized by SUSS’ Student Success Centre (SSC) and the Node for Inclusive Lifelong Education (NILE) in collaboration with the Centre of Disability Studies, University of Leeds, United Kingdom. 

This year’s conference theme is Empowering Change, Shaping Inclusive Futures. The conference aims to share insights, research, and ideas that challenge conventional definitions of success and highlight the importance of inclusivity within inclusive education, employment, and community. 

The conference committee invites you to present your research, practices, or insights at this event. Your participation will spark meaningful conversations and connections.  

Please submit your abstracts by 21st May 2025.  

Presenters will be notified of acceptance by 6th June 2025. 

You can access the Re:Define Success Conference webpage to submit your presentation abstracts. Details on the conference programme and event logistics will be shared on the website as the event date approaches. 

For any queries, you can send an email to redefinesuccess@suss.edu.sg

From FAO Website

https://www.fao.org/farmer-field-schools/news-events/detail-events/en/c/1735399

Webinar series – Leveraging digital innovations in FFS. #1: Assessing digital readiness of FFS Facilitators and farmers

10/04/2025 10/04/2025

We are excited to invite you to the first webinar in our new series on leveraging digital innovations in FFS: insights from the field. 

Register here!

About the Webinar Series

Over the past four decades, the Farmer Field School (FFS) approach has successfully reached an estimated 20 million farmers across more than 100 countries. While significant progress has been made, emerging challenges—including climate change, pest outbreaks, and resource depletion—require innovative adaptations to better support farmers. Digital tools offer a powerful way to enhance learning, strengthen collaboration, and improve productivity in small-scale farming.

This webinar series, organized as part of the E-Empowerment project, will explore how digital tools can be effectively integrated into FFS programmes to enhance smallholder farmers’ learning, productivity, and sustainability. Each session will highlight innovative solutions, real-world applications, and opportunities for co-developing digital solutions with farmers.

Webinar #1: Assessing digital readiness for FFS facilitators and farmers – A methodology and early results

Date: 10th of April 2025

Time: 13h00-14h00 GMT+1

Register here!

Digital tools in Farmer Field Schools (FFS) enhance engagement, learning, and access to information, training, and markets. However, poor digital strategies can worsen inequalities and weaken training quality. Understanding local digital access, skills, and use is key to effective and inclusive integration.

Under the project “E-empowerment” of small-scale producers: leveraging digital tools sustainably in Farmer Field Schools (FFS), the FAO’s Office of Innovation, in collaboration with the Rural Transformation and Gender Equality Division and the FAO country offices in Syria and Mozambique, has developed and launched a methodology for the digital readiness assessments of FFS master trainers, facilitators, and farmers. This methodology enables interventions to understand the digital profiles of crucial FFS actors, their digital literacy levels and the digital technologies that can best support FFS impacts for all.  

Join us to discover the FFS digital readiness assessment methodology, its key components, and how it can be used to ensure digital tools are integrated in a way that is conducive to gender equality and youth empowerment in communities.  

What You’ll Learn:

Key components of the Digital Readiness Assessment

Insights on the current and potential use of digital tools in FFS

Strategies to ensure inclusive digital learning in agriculture

How digital integration aligns with the Principles for Digital Development

Register here!

Don’t miss this opportunity to be part of the discussion on the future of digital learning in FFS.

Interested in digital innovation in FFS? Join the Global FFS Community of Practice to exchange ideas, tools, and experiences on leveraging digital solutions to support smallholder farmers.

Stay informed on FFS news on digital tools by visiting the Global FFS Platform website.

(Source of Information: https://www.fao.org/farmer-field-schools/news-events/detail-events/en/c/1735399/)

Rural Advisory Services for Southeast Asia (RASSEA), in collaboration with the Agency for Agricultural Extension (BPP) of Cikampek Subdistrict, held the 9th Community of Practices (CoP) meeting virtually via the Zoom platform on March 21, 2025. This meeting featured insights from Ms. Ida Widya Utami, a Coordinator for Agricultural Extension at the Department of Agriculture and Food Security in Karawang Regency. The participants of the CoP were from diverse backgrounds.

Ms. Ida Widya Utami emphasized food and nutrition security as strategic issues within agricultural development, structured around four key pillars: food availability, food accessibility, food utilization, and price stability. She highlighted the crucial role of women in agriculture, primarily through Female Farmer Groups (FFGs), in managing household food resources and agricultural production, positioning FFGs as essential agents for empowering women farmers.

Karawang Regency possesses significant agricultural and human resources, including 97 civil servant extension officers, 67 contracted officers (PPPK), and 16 temporary field assistants (THL-TBPP). These officers support 2,378 farmer groups, including 23 farmer economic groups (KEP). Cikampek Subdistrict alone has 23 active farmer groups, eight combined association of farmer groups (Gapoktan), eight FFGs, and 10 livestock groups, spanning an agricultural area of 484 hectares across 10 villages.

Figure 1. Participants at the ninth meeting of the Community of Practice (CoP) on Nutrition-Sensitive Agricultural Extension.

The CoP highlighted successful initiatives by local FFGs, such as optimizing home garden plots (200-400 m²) for diversified food production, including cassava, sweet potato, and banana, and practicing sustainable agriculture using organic fertilizers and modern IoT technologies. Additionally, FFGs produce animal-based foods such as tilapia, catfish, chicken eggs, and sheep, which enhance family nutrition and generate supplementary income.

The groups also process agricultural products by creating healthy, value-added items such as gluten-free cassava egg rolls, which are marketed locally and through online platforms like Instagram. These products meet essential food safety standards, including Halal and PIRT certifications.

Additionally, FFGs actively offer nutritional education and food safety training, promoting balanced, nutritious, and safe food practices (B2SA) within the community. Strategic multi-sector collaboration has played a vital role in their success, involving institutions such as the Ministry of Agriculture, the Cooperative and SME Department, the Karawang Regency Agricultural Office, and IPB University, which provides technical training, strengthens institutions, and develops entrepreneurial skills.

The CoP concluded by recognizing FFGs as essential drivers of household food security and improved nutrition, emphasizing the need for ongoing support from the government, academia, and the private sector, along with consistent monitoring and evaluation to ensure the program’s effectiveness and sustainability (RA).

Micronutrient deficiency, commonly known as hidden hunger, presents a significant nutritional challenge that often goes undetected yet profoundly impacts public health, particularly among children and women of reproductive age. Zinc, an essential nutrient vital for growth, immune function, and infection prevention, is one of the most prevalent deficiencies observed. In response to this urgent issue, the Indonesian government, in collaboration with the International Rice Research Institute (IRRI), has developed Nutri Zinc rice through biofortification. This innovative method enhances the zinc content of crops using advanced plant breeding techniques. Nutri Zinc rice presents a viable solution for improving zinc intake while preserving existing rice consumption patterns.

In Indonesia, Purwakarta is one of the regions that has embraced this innovation. The local government has allocated 1,000 hectares of land in the Wanayasa Sub-District for Nutri Zinc rice cultivation, collaborating with the Purwakarta Office of Food and Agriculture, agricultural extension workers, and farmer groups, including the Female Farmers Group (KWT). In 2023, the production of nutritious rice reached five tons per hectare, highlighting its potential to enhance agricultural productivity and improve community nutrition.

Nutritious rice cultivation benefits farmers economically, as it commands higher prices than regular rice. The Sumber Rezeki Women Farmers Group in Wanayasa Sub-District produces various Nutri Zinc-based products, including rice (IDR 90,000 per 5 kg), rice flour (IDR 15,000 per 500 g), traditional cakes (IDR 15,000 per pack), and peanut brittle (IDR 10,000 per pack). Due to its superior nutritional value, nutrient rice has strong potential in international markets.

Beyond economic advantages, nutritious rice plays a significant role in public health, especially in efforts to reduce stunting. As rice is the primary staple food, enhancing its zinc content directly helps alleviate micronutrient deficiencies. This initiative transformed Wanayasa, which previously faced stunting challenges, into a region that offers nutritional solutions.

Nutritious rice provides benefits but encounters obstacles in processing and expanding market reach. To satisfy the demand for healthier options, there should be developments in low-sodium, low-sugar, and low-fat varieties. Effective branding and marketing strategies are vital for connecting with consumers. It’s important to offer farmers better training in processing, packaging, and marketing to enhance product competitiveness. Involving young people is key to leveraging digital platforms for brand promotion and market access. Nutri-zinc rice can significantly enhance farmers’ livelihoods and public nutrition. In accordance with the Government of Indonesia’s 2025-2045 National Development Plan, reducing stunting is a priority. Young people can act as change agents through educational and healthy food campaigns. The success in Purwakarta can serve as a model for other regions, supporting Golden Indonesia 2045, where quality human resources will drive sustainable food innovation. (AA)

University based extension and advisory services play significant role to support small holder farmers and other communities to provide solution. For examples, there are three digital application developed by three universities namely IPB University, Gadjah Mada University (UGM), and Polytechnic of Agricultural Development Yogyakarta, Magelang (Polbangtan YOMA). IPB University develops Digitani IPB, UGM develops Desa apps, and Polbangtan YOMA develops Jurutani. The followings are the link for above apps.

https://digitani.ipb.ac.id/

https://desa-apps.ugm.ac.id

https://jurutani.polbangtanyoma.ac.id/welcome

According to the users of the apps, the digital application really helps them to facilitate communities (farmers, small and medium enterprises, fisherman, and other producers)in solving farming issues, increase the value of the product, and channeling the product to the markets. (AA)

The 8th meeting of the Community of Practice (CoP) on Nutrition-Sensitive Agricultural Extension (CoP Penyuluhan Sensitif Gizi) was successfully held on Friday, 21st February 2025, bringing together diverse participants from various sectors, including representatives from Polbangtan Bogor (Agricultural Development Polytechnic Bogor) and Rural Advisory Services for Southeast Asia (RASSEA).

This meeting focused on integrating nutrition-sensitive practices into agricultural extension, particularly on livestock farming. The event provided a platform to discuss the challenges and strategies for improving nutrition and food security through agricultural extension services, addressing the triple burden of malnutrition.

Key Highlights:

• Polbangtan Bogor’s Participation: Polbangtan Bogor, known for its extensive extension programs in agriculture and animal husbandry, shared valuable insights from their initiatives, contributing to the meeting’s collaborative atmosphere.
• Sustainable Agri-Food Systems: The concept behind this Community of Practice is rooted in promoting sustainable agri-food systems, ensuring that agricultural practices are both productive and sensitive to nutrition needs.
• Addressing Key Challenges: One of the significant challenges discussed was the high methane emissions from animal husbandry, as well as issues related to feed quality, land limitations, and the aging farmer population.
• Focus on Dairy Farming: A significant part of the meeting involved a presentation by Dr Arif Nindyo Kisworofrom Polbangtan Bogor, who highlighted a dairy cattle development project in collaboration with Mercy USA. This project aimed to improve dairy production and nutrition in West Java and West Sumatra. It also involved training farmers on cattle management, feed production, and milk processing in the production process.
• Impact and Future Directions: The project increased milk production and helped farmers develop processed dairy products. Plans focus on expanding the program to new areas, improving collaboration with local governments, and addressing marketing and farmer regeneration challenges.

Discussion Points:

• Improving Milk Production: Participants discussed how improving feed quality could boost milk production and the role of cooperatives in supporting dairy farmers.
• Farmer Challenges: The meeting explored challenges farmers face, such as limited land for feed, issues with milk and feed pricing, and the need for youth involvement in farming.
• Collaboration and Partnerships: Participants expressed enthusiasm for potential collaborations and partnerships to create a broader impact in the sector and looked forward to future CoP meetings as a platform to continue knowledge-sharing and strengthen networks.

As we progress, the 8th CoP meeting has provided valuable lessons and actionable insights, continuing the momentum towards improving agricultural extension services sensitive to nutrition and the broader sustainable development goals.

We look forward to seeing the impact of these discussions on future initiatives and the next CoP meeting, scheduled for March 2024.

Thank you to all participants for their contributions, and we hope to continue collaborating towards a more nutritious and sustainable future in agriculture.

For more details, you can download the Meeting Materials.

Since July 2024, six Community of Practice (CoP) meetings on the Effective Integration of Nutrition Aspects in Extension and Mentoring have been held. The CoP forum was held in collaboration with the Southeast Asia Agricultural and Rural Extension Network (RAS-SEA)*, together with representatives from government, private, and non-governmental organizations engaged in education, research, and extension. In the seventh meeting, the CoP forum intended to explore how effective strategies for nutrition-sensitive Forestry Extension, challenges, and opportunities for future extension innovations were implemented, which were held via the Zoom Meeting platform on:

Day, date : Friday, January 31, 2025

Time : 13.15 – 15.00 WIB (event schedule attached)

Sharing title : Agroforestry Field School to Support the Provision of Nutritious Food (Volunteer: Dr. Ir. Yumi Angelia, MSi)

Social Forestry: A New Key to Achieving Food Self-Sufficiency

The Social Forestry Program initiated by the Ministry of Forestry (formerly the Ministry of Environment and Forestry) has now emerged as an innovative solution to support food self-sufficiency in Indonesia. Since its launch during the administration of President Joko Widodo, this program aims to improve the welfare of communities around forests that have not thoroughly enjoyed the benefits of the natural wealth around them.

In the 7th Community of Practices (CoP) webinar held online by RASSEA on Friday (31/1/2025), Dr. Yumi Angela, Forestry Extension Expert Lead of the Forestry Extension Center of the Ministry of Forestry, explained that Social Forestry is the starting point for food policies that focus on local food security. Although this program is still in the discussion stage at Bappenas, it is already clear how sustainable forest management can support the availability of nutritious food.

“This program provides economic access for communities around forests and preserves nature. “The agroforestry scheme that combines forestry, agriculture, and fisheries is a concrete solution to increase local food production that is healthy and sustainable,” explained Dr. Yumi.

The importance of the role of extension in forest management is a significant highlight. One of the methods implemented is field schools, which have been running for the past five years in regions such as Jambi, West Java, West Kalimantan, and South Sulawesi. Through this program, communities are given intensive assistance to manage forests wisely, produce nutritious food, and strengthen food security at the local level.

Dr. Siti Amanah, Chairperson of RASSEA, said this webinar aimed to strengthen extension workers’ understanding of the urgency of nutrition in food management. “Indonesia is currently facing three major problems related to nutrition—stunting, obesity, and micronutrient deficiencies. We want to ensure that every individual in the future has optimal nutritional status as capital for health and intelligence,” said Amanah.

This webinar also presented experts from FAO, who emphasized the importance of behavioral change in society to support food security. This change does not only occur at the individual level but must also spread to a broader system. This new policy and approach is expected to strengthen national food security and ensure adequate nutrition for all levels of society.

Through the CoP activity with the theme “Agroforestry Field School to Support the Provision of Nutritious Food,” various agencies and institutions are present to formulate practical solutions jointly. This initiative paves the way for a more sustainable future, where communities around forests earn income and play an active role in maintaining the balance of nature and the country’s food security.

The following is Key Highlights of the Meeting about the contribution of the Agroforestry Field School to Support the Provision of Nutritious Food:

1. Indonesia has forests that have the potential to be a source of food through sustainable management while helping to alleviate poverty in communities around the forest
2. Development of forest products for poverty alleviation while encouraging local food security is implemented through the social forestry program and development of KTH independence
3. The social forestry program has achieved management access of 6,371,773.42 hectares, involving 9,642 Decree Units (SK) and providing direct benefits to 1,287,710 Heads of Families (KLHK, 2023). It has great potential.
4. Agroforestry also has excellent potential as a solution to food security because it integrates agriculture, forestry, and fisheries to increase the availability of nutritious food. At the same time, increasing community income and ecosystem sustainability
5. Field schools are one of the effective extension methods to encourage the use of environmentally friendly techniques for healthy and sustainable food production in communities around forests
6. Field schools have impacted farmers’ understanding of the importance of nutritious food from agroforestry and encouraged food diversification with vegetables, fruits, fish, and naturally processed products to improve family nutrition.
7. Efforts are needed to expand agroforestry field schools to improve community food and nutrition security.

This meeting represents a significant step in producing tangible knowledge in the form of briefs, practice notes, policies (inform policies), and recommendations for future practices, which can be emulated, not only in Indonesia but also abroad.

For more information and to access the meeting resume, please refer to the attached document.

Your organization’s success depends on the commitment and motivation of your team. But how do you foster that commitment, especially when resources are tight and good talent is always in high demand? In this lively iCRA Expert talk, we’ll uncover what really keeps teams engaged – and hint, it’s not just about salaries or perks! 

Prepare yourself to explore the Four Pillars of Happiness at Work and find out how small, smart changes can transform your team into passionate game changers in the agri-food sector.

What: iCRA Expert talk
Where: Online in Zoom
When: Thursday, December 12, 14.30 – 16.00 CET
Who: Professionals in Agribusiness or Agri-education that are interested in leadership

Looking forward meeting you online!

What is the iCRA Community?

With 40 years of experience collaborating with agricultural education institutions and agribusinesses, iCRA has built a strong global network. We love bringing together long-standing partners and new connections who share an interest in iCRA’s work to exchange knowledge and learn together. Our expert webinars are one of the ways we make this happen. Whether you are a former participant, a project partner, or simply curious about our expertise, we warmly welcome you to the community!

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Mariette Gross is the Executive Director of iCRA, a role she has held since April 2020. With over two decades of experience, she has empowered numerous experts, facilitators, and advisors worldwide to enhance their training, facilitation, and negotiation skills. Mariette’s global experiences in Europe, Africa, and Asia have equipped her to navigate diverse realities effortlessly. She holds a degree in Innovation and Communication for Rural Development from Wageningen University. Her expertise lies in bridging theory and practice, seamlessly connecting participants, sectors, and networks within value chains. She is driven by her passion to get people moving and help them kickstart processes of change.

The 5th International Conference on Rural Socio-economic Transformation (RUSET) 2024 is finally open 🥳

RUSET is an annual event organized by the Department of Communication and Community Development Sciences, IPB University, Bogor.

This year’s conference focuses on ”Toward Sustainable Agri-food Systems, Robust Agriculture 4.0, and Inclusive Community Development”.

By registering, you will engage with outstanding experts from various international universities, contribute to impactful discussions, and collaborate on innovative solutions to critical challenges.

🗓 Date: October 29-30, 2024.
📍Location: Zoom Meeting
💵 Fee
•⁠ ⁠Without E-Certificate: FREE!
•⁠ ⁠With E-Certificate: Rp 50.000/5 USD

Effective Integration of Nutrition into Extension and Advisory Services 20 September 2024

On September 20, 2024, the Polytechnic of Agricultural Development Yogyakarta Magelang (Polbangtan Yoma) and the Rural Advisory Services of South East Asia (RAS-SEA) jointly hosted the third Meeting of the Community of Practice (CoP) focused on the Effective Integration of Nutrition into Extension and Advisory Services. The topic of this meeting is The Pekarangan Pangan Lestari or Sustainable Food Yard (SFY) Program – an urban community-based to improve family nutrition and social resilience. This virtual event brought together a diverse group of experts and stakeholders to advance the integration of nutrition in development initiatives.

Key Highlights of the Meeting:

Welcoming and Introductory Speeches: The meeting opened with welcoming and introductory speeches by Dr. Siti Amanah, Chairperson of RAS-SEA. Dr. Amanah provided a comprehensive overview of the meeting’s goals and CoP in the context of Extension Sensitive Extension & Nutrition Sensitive Extension

Sharing Session: The session featured an insightful presentation by Dr. Siti Nurlaela (Head of the Sustainable Agricultural Extension Study Program, Department of Agriculture, Yo-Ma Agricultural Development Polytechnic). Mrs. Gunatri discussed the impact of organic agriculture on economic development and public health, offering practical examples and innovative strategies that can be applied in different contexts.

Figure 2. Sharing Session Organic Farming from Dr. Siti Nurlaela about The Pekarangan Pangan Lestari or Sustainable Food Yard (SFY) Program – an urban community-based

Moderated Discussion: The discussion was moderated by IPB Doctoral Program Candidate, Mr. Rafnel Azhari, Lecturer at Andalas University. Mr Rafnel expertly guided the conversation, encouraging participants to engage actively and share their own experiences and insights on integrating nutrition into advisory services and also about The Pekarangan Pangan Lestari or Sustainable Food Yard (SFY) Program.

Discussion, Quizzes, and Resume: At the end of the discussion, all participants were enthusiastic about taking the quiz via Kahoot. The meeting concluded with a robust discussion summarizing the key points and action items from the day’s sessions. Dr. Epsi Euriga has provided a resume/insight of the meeting for participants to review and utilize in their ongoing work.

This meeting represents a significant step in producing tangible knowledge in the form of briefs, practice notes, policies (inform policies), and recommendations for future practices, which can be emulated, not only in Indonesia but also abroad.

For more information and to access the meeting resume, please refer to the attached document.

On August 22, 2024, the Indonesian Association for Development Extension (PAPPI) and the Rural Advisory Services of South East Asia (RAS-SEA) jointly hosted the Second Meeting of the Community of Practice (CoP) focused on the Effective Integration of Nutrition into Extension and Advisory Services. This virtual event brought together a diverse group of experts and stakeholders to advance the integration of nutrition in development initiatives.

Key Highlights of the Meeting:

Welcoming and Introductory Speeches: The meeting opened with welcoming and introductory speeches by Dr. Siti Amanah, Chairperson of RAS-SEA and President of PAPPI. Dr. Amanah provided a comprehensive overview of the meeting’s goals and emphasized the crucial role of integrating nutrition into extension services to drive sustainable development.

Sharing Session: The session featured an insightful presentation by Mrs. Ni Luh Gunatri, SE, President of the Indonesia Association of Businesswomen for Buleleng Regency in Bali. Mrs. Gunatri discussed the impact of organic agriculture on economic development and public health, offering practical examples and innovative strategies that can be applied in different contexts.

Moderated Discussion: The discussion was moderated by Dr. Adi Firmansyah, a researcher with CARE IPB and CoP Moderator. Dr. Firmansyah skillfully guided the conversation, encouraging participants to engage actively and share their own experiences and insights on integrating nutrition into advisory services.

This meeting represents a significant step forward in enhancing the role of nutrition within extension and advisory services across South East Asia. The collaborative efforts and knowledge shared during this event are expected to shape future strategies and practices in the field.

For more information and to access the meeting resume, please refer to the attached document.

When: 15th August 2024

Where: Bogor, West Java, Indonesia

 Join Online: Scan the QR Code

Join us on August 15th in Bogor for a session with U.S. and Indonesian women farmers sharing their experiences in adopting technology and boosting productivity.

 Join Online: Scan the QR Code

Indonesia has developed into an upper middle class country with a gross national income per capita (PPNB) of US$ 4,919.7 in 2023 (BPS, 2023). In the last decade, Indonesia has recorded an average annual growth of around 5 percent. In line with this economic development, Indonesia has made progress in improving food and nutrition security. Access to food has increased and the prevalence of malnutrition (malnutrition) has decreased in recent years. However, the nutritional status of the Indonesian people is still low by international standards and the variation remains large between regions. Many residents are still at risk of starvation and malnutrition (Smeru, 2020).

According to the 2018 Global Nutrition Report, Indonesia is one of three countries with the highest number of children with wasting conditions (Development Initiatives, 2018). According to the results of the 2018 Basic Health Research (Riskesdas), 10.2 percent of children under 5 years of age in Indonesia experienced wasting and 30.8 percent were stunted (Ministry of Health, 2019). The lowest prevalence of stunting was reported in Gianyar, Bali Province (12%), while the highest prevalence of stunting was found in Nias, West Sumatra Province (61%) (Central Statistics Agency, 2019). At the same time, Indonesia also witnessed increasing rates of overweight and obesity, as well as micronutrient deficiency. Thus, Indonesia faces a triple burden of malnutrition, namely undernutrition alongside overnutrition and micronutrient deficiency (Smeru, 2020).

Many studies show that food and nutrition problems are also caused by consumption patterns and behavior of individuals and households, so the implementation of nutrition-sensitive agriculture is important. Until now, the knowledge and awareness of key actors and business actors regarding this matter are still limited. Hariyadi (2011) suggests that households with poor nutritional awareness behavior have the potential to increase the risk of stunting in toddlers 1.22 times greater than households with good nutritional awareness behavior. Knowledge about nutrition and health plays an important role in promoting healthy eating behavior. Wu et al. (2022) shows that sociodemographic characteristics such as age, gender, education level, occupation, residential address, and history of chronic diseases are potential factors that influence individual nutritional awareness.

Ecker and Breisinger (2012) suggest an overview of the food and nutrition security system. The overview implies that the issue of food and nutrition in micro systems (household and household members) that can be viewed as nutrition status is influenced by macro systems and external shocks. The nutrition status reflects human capacity and productivity. Intervention can be carried out through economic policies, social policies and programs, and nutrition and health programs. Agriculture is one of key factors mentioned by Ecker and Breisinger that affects the household economics and social development. Improving agricultural practices to be more sensitive to the needs of people for nutritious and healthy food is a need.
This framework provides a foundation for understanding food security and nutrition systems. It is based on the 1996 World Food Summit definition of food security, which states that food security exists when all people, at all times, have physical, social and economic access to sufficient, safe and nutritious food to meet their dietary needs and food preferences for an active and healthy life. Although absolutely necessary, food intake and access at the individual and household levels are not enough to maintain the food and nutritional security status of the population because other factors also play a role.
The action for improvement on nutrition status should also consider the agri-food value chains. Strategies and entry points for nutrition-sensitive value chains views interconnectivity between on -farm and on-farm context of agriculture. In the light of this, the improvement of nutrition status of people should take into the supply and demand aspects.

With the objective to find solution in the context of nutrition sensitive agriculture and for strengthening extension sensitive nutrition and vice versa, we deveop Community of Practice on effective integration nutrition into extension and advisory services (NSEAS). On June 29, 2024, we launched the CoP on NSEAS in an face to face meetin held at the Center for Human Resources Development of IPB University. The meeting was organized as workshop and training about the nutrition sensitive nutrition and vice versa. . There were 12 participants of the meeting represented different organizations, including extension workers, civil society organization activist, researchers, academicians, students, and journalist. The objectives of the CoP on NSEAS are as follows:
➢ Advocate for the role of extension and advisory services on nutrition and food security in Indonesia from a multi sectoral perspective;
➢ Provide evidence of the impact of extension on nutrition and food security in Indonesia;
➢ Provide learning and exchange experiences opportunities not limited to CoP members to guide the extension and advisory services on the context of agriculture, extension-education, and nutrition;
➢ Contribute to policies, organizational mandates and programs related to EAS that promote food and nutrition security (sustainability context).

GFRAS on Tuesday, June 18 2024 held a webinar discussing Fundraising for Agricultural Networks. This activity was attended by participants from sub regional and country fora of GFRAS. RASSEA also attended and participated in this activity.

Dr Carl Larsen, executive secretary of GFRAS explains the importance of fundraising activities and how to best strategy them. When raising funds, it is important first to understand the big picture of the activities to be carried out, the impact on stakeholders, including the benefits for potential funding. Carl also mentioned the importance of clarifying ambitions, reviewing resources, external mapping, capacity building, and after that explains about how to write good proposals.

During the discussion session, issues and views emerged and developed, such as that currently funding is available mostly for research projects advertised by national bodies, not for knowledge management activities. In addition, the priorities of national agencies may differ from those of extension networks. On the other hand, small amounts of funds are difficult to obtain, donors want large proposals (millions) which are not needed and cannot be managed by our network.

RASSEA in this discussion expressed the view that in fundraising we need more colleagues in the network who have negotiation skills that will help in fundraising. Identifying potential donors and submitting portfolios also becomes very important. Establishing initial partnerships with potential partners is also something that needs to be done, including in order to understand the donor’s perspective/priority areas.

This activity is very useful for opening perspectives regarding the best strategy for raising funds for the Agricultural Network and also being able to experience the best experiences from each participant from various countries. In relation to this, RASSEA has developed resource mobilisation framework to finance programs and activities. (RA).

When : October, 29Th – 30Th 2024

Where : International Conference Center IPB & Zoom Meeting

Toward Sustanable Agri-food System, Robust Agriculture 4.0 and Inclusive Community Development

The Master’s Program in Development Communication (majoring in Communication and Development Extension) at the Department of Communication and Community Development Sciences, IPB University, recently conducted an academic visit to the University Community Transformation Center (UCTC) at Universiti Putra Malaysia (UPM) in Selangor. The visits to Malaysia were Held from May 16 to 18, 2024, the visit aimed to enhance mutual understanding of extension and development communication through a collaborative learning experience between the two countries.

Led by Dr. Siti Amanah, a lecturer at IPB University and Chairperson of the Rural Advisory Services Southeast Asia (RASSEA), the delegation was warmly welcomed by Associate Professor Dr. Khairulmazmi Ahmad, Director of UCTC UPM, and Professor Dr. Norsida Man, Deputy Director of UCTC and Chairperson of the Malaysia Forum for Rural Advisory Services (MAFRAS). The collaborative exchange program attracted 150 participants and was held in a hybrid format, engaging stakeholders from academic institutions, the Malaysian Ministry of Agriculture, the private sector, and research communities.

Extension and development communication play a crucial role in empowering farmers and rural communities by enhancing the capacity of individuals, groups, and institutions to sustainably improve their quality of life. As of 2024, Indonesia’s population has exceeded 280 million, with approximately 27.5 million people employed in agriculture. Alarmingly, half of these farmers live in poverty, and the number of agricultural extension workers—currently fewer than 50,000—is insufficient to effectively serve the nation’s 75,000 villages. Thus, multi-stakeholder collaboration involving the government, volunteer extension agents, and private sector actors is urgently needed to bridge the gap in extension services.

One of the strategies presented by Dr. Siti Amanah during the session was Indonesia’s model of partnership in Agricultural Extension and Advisory Services. Her presentation was based on findings from a joint study with the International Food Policy Research Institute (IFPRI) and the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), titled Agricultural Human Capital Investment (AHCI). A notable case she discussed was the collaboration between the global cocoa company PT Mars and farmers, extension workers, as well as both local and national governments. This partnership is part of the Rural Empowerment and Agricultural Development Scaling-Up Initiatives (READSI), which aims to enhance the technical and non-technical capabilities of cocoa farmers in South Sulawesi.

The innovation introduced by READSI lies in its Cocoa Doctor approach—training farmer group leaders as master trainers who then guide their group members in best practices for cocoa cultivation. These practices include seedling production, plant rejuvenation, the use of liquid microorganisms, and expanded market access. Local extension agents support this system by serving as facilitators, collaborators, and advisors. Notably, women farmers are actively involved in the cocoa seedling process. This initiative has demonstrated tangible improvements in farming practices and livelihoods. The full report on this successful partnership can be accessed here: https://hdl.handle.net/10568/143136.

Extension services are fundamentally an educational investment that fosters empowerment through behavioral transformation. Effective communication, community participation, and inclusive engagement are essential elements for sustaining this transformation. The success of extension efforts heavily relies on the involvement, initiative, and motivation of individuals, groups, and local communities. These services are multidimensional and must be tailored to the specific challenges and local contexts in which they are applied.

Both Indonesia and Malaysia have demonstrated successful examples of extension and empowerment programs that unite government agencies, communities, and the private sector to enhance farmer capacity. UCTC UPM, for instance, employs a bottom-up approach that utilizes the university’s physical resources and human capital to bridge the gap between academia and local communities, making the campus more accessible to the people.

During the visit, Wulan Ali Rahmin, a graduate student from IPB University, had the chance to share her experience working in Kendari, Southeast Sulawesi. She detailed how she and her team assisted the local community in developing sustainable innovations using coconut husks—an agricultural waste product often discarded after harvesting the fruit. Their initiative transformed coconut husks into “cocopots,” a practical and eco-friendly product. This participatory approach not only advanced environmental sustainability but also delivered economic benefits to the community, particularly to women and youth.

This collaborative forum between Indonesia and Malaysia serves as a strong example of how regional networks like RASSEA can foster synergies among stakeholders to develop more effective and inclusive extension and advisory services. Through shared learning and innovative partnerships, Southeast Asian countries are establishing the foundation for a more just, empowered, and sustainable rural future.

Dietary guidelines are essential for each country to develop. More than 100 countries have developed dietary guidelines. The international community has recognized the potential and need for dietary guidelines to advance the transformation of food systems towards desirability and influence policy beyond the scope of consumer education. However, there is currently a lack of global guidance and tools to facilitate this. RASSEA, RELASER in collaboration with FAO on April 30 2024, held a webinar on dietary guidelines. This webinar presents speakers from FAO and the National Food Agency of the Republic of Indonesia.

FAO presented as speakers Ana Islas Ramos, Nutrition Officer Food and Nutrition Division, FAO and Rinna Syawal from the National Food Agency, who delivered material related to the food consumption situation and implementation of B2SA in Indonesia.

1. Good nutrition starts with what we eat, making healthy diets a cornerstone solution for addressing all forms of malnutrition
2. The international community has recognized the potential and need for dietary guidelines to catalyze food systems’ transformation towards sustainability and influence policies beyond consumer education’s scope. However, there is currently a lack of global guidance and tools to facilitate this.
3. The Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) has developed the new food systems-based dietary guidelines (FSBDGs) methodology through a collaborative process involving multiple global, regional, and country-level experts to fill this gap.
4. Dietary guidelines are evidence-based recommendations that outline what a healthy diet represents in a country
5. Dietary Guidelines have  a vast potential to promote healthy diets  from sustainable food systems by informing policies, programmes and investments throughout the food system
6. Dietary guidelines must be better developed, communicated, implemented and evaluated to unpack their potential. In particular, they need to embrace a food systems approach to diets
7. There is a growing international demand for dietary guidelines to integrate sustainability considerations. It is not an option but a need
8. More than 100 countries have developed  Dietary guidelines; it is time we see the results of these efforts in terms of behaviour change and food system transformation on the ground
9. Ag extension and RAS stakeholders have a role to play in the FSBDGs to bring about  new ways of thinking and acting about food systems for healthy diets and sustainability
10. Indonesia has several related regulations regarding dietary guidelines
11. Indonesia is developing the concept of diverse, nutritious, balanced and safe food (in Bahasa B2SA).
12. B2SA is a variety of foods that must be consumed in balanced quantities, following recommended nutritional adequacy and free from physical, chemical and biological contamination
13. B2SA doesn’t have to be expensive and can take advantage of local food that is easily accessible.

Webinar materials on dietary guidelines can be downloaded below:

How to Develop and Implement Dietary Guidelines with a Food Systems Approach: FAO Food systems-based dietary guidelines: Entry points for Ag Extension and RAS – Ana Islas Ramos

Clik here to download

Situasi Konsumsi Pangan dan Implementasi B2SA di Indonesia (Current Status of The Dietary and B2SA Implementation in Indonesia) – Rinna Syawal

Clik here to download

Siti Amanah (IPB University & RASSEA Forum)

The Government of Indonesia has issued the Law Number 18 of 2012 about Food. This Law obliges all government agencies and organizations to support the policy and strategy of food diversification to meet the community nutritional needs in accordance with local potential and wisdom to create a healthy, active, and healthy life. productive. Efforts to diversify food as stated in Article 26 of Government Regulation Number 17 of 2015 concerning Food Security and Nutrition, one of which can be through optimizing land use. Previously, the Food Security Agency (BKP) through the Center for Consumption Diversity and Food Safety from 2010 to 2019 has carried out Sustainable Food House Area Activities (KRPL). To expand beneficiaries and land use, since year 2020, KRPL has changed to Sustainable Food Yard or in Indonesian Language (Bahasa Indonesia) called Pekarangan Pangan Lestari (abbreviated as P2L) (Decision from the Head of Indonesia Food Security Agency Number 87/KPTS/RC.110/J/12/2019 about Technical Guidance to Strengthen Household Security through Sustainable Food Yard year 2020).

With cooperation with RELASER (Latin America Forum for Agricultural Extension), RASSEA Team is studying implementation of P2L where agricultural extension services have successfully incorporated nutrition aspect. In P2L, the community work together to manage the land/yard with crops or raising fishes in big buckets or raising laying hen for eggs). The yields from community co-managed small land/yard are nutritious and healthy food. We expect that the case study described here will contribute new strategies, evidence, and lessons learned that can be adapted to other context or other regions.

Key concepts that we used to select the case study on integration of nutrition in agricultural extension is that developed by GFRAS (GFRAS-Nutrition Working Group). The two key concepts are the EAS and NSA. where extension advisory services (EAS).  The concept of Extension and Advisory Services (EAS) also known as “rural advisory services” and “rural extension” refers to the function of RAS aims to help farmers and other actors in rural settings to improve their livelihoods and well-being (Christoplos, 2010), by providing information and services needed and demanded by them to develop their technical skills and practices (GFRAS, n.d. in GFRAS 2022).  The concept of NSA used in this case study views that NSA is an approach ensuring the production of a variety of affordable, nutritious, culturally appropriate, and safe foods, in adequate quantity and quality, to meet the dietary requirements of populations in a sustainable manner (FAO, 2017).  

 The case that we study is based on the two concepts mentioned above. In addition to that, we also review our previous and current work related to the EAS and NSA/ESN including research and community outreach about sustainable agriculture, food, female farmers empowerment, effective communication to increase knowledge and awareness about “Diverse, Nutritious, Balance, and Safe” meal or in Indonesia Language called “Beragam, Bergizi, Seimbang dan Aman (B2SA)”.  In organizing our two webinars as part of this assignment, RASSEA invited the resource persons to talk about EAS and about NSA in the first webinar; and RASSEA invited the resource persons to talk about EAS practices in the local context (on farm activities) and about food for preventing malnutrition and other problems (off-farm aspect).

 We learn from the webinars we organize that there are several programs that associated with NSA including: nutrizinc paddy cultivation to prevent stunting (as part of Strategic Irrigation, Modernization, and Urgent Rehabilitation Project); Sustainable Food Yard that has been implemented since 2010 and still on going to date, practiced by female farmer group supported by extension worker and volunteer extension workers; Integrated Health Services (Pos Pelayanan Terpadu) managed by health cadres with the support from Center for Community Health; Food fortification with certain Vitamin  from Ministry of Health, Content of My Plate, Field School for Agricultural Movement on Paddy-Rice Organic, Climate Smart Agriculture, Rural Empowerment and Agricultural Development Scaling-Up Initiative (READSI), and nutrition, health, and gender (as part of Integrated Participatory Development & Management of Irrigation Program).

To select the case study, we set the criteria relevant to NSA/ESN concepts as follows: (1) has shown the evidence of agricultural solutions; (2) community engagement and women empowerment; (3) capacity of the group/community in managing the program/activity; (4) availability of EAS in delivering the services; and (5) sustainability of the NSA practices. From the second webinar we held, we found that Sustainable Food Yard has been implemented well and managed by the farmer/female farmers group in collaboration with public and private organizations. We did not select the nutrizinc-paddy production because the program is implemented in limited sites and the farmers have not widely planted the paddy INPARI enriched by nutrizinc because the seed is not always available locally. Below are some pictures collected from the fields that practicing P2L in their yards.

          

A community cadre explains about the nursery media for vegetable crops used for Sustainable Food Yard Site in Bogor, Indonesia

A Sustainable Food Yard Site practiced by the female farmer’s group of Balumbang Jaya Bogor (with trigona sp bee is also managed by the group)

The female farmer group “Berseri” with RASSEA Team after the discussions about nutrition sensitive agriculture

Wishing you a prosperous New Year

filled with happiness and new opportunities.

When: Friday, 27 October 2023

Providing nutritious and nutrient-dense food to improve the level of public health is the responsibility of various parties. The problems of stunting, wasting, being underweight, and being overweight are not only the domain of the health sector but also in other sectors such as nutrition-oriented agricultural production. As a follow-up, the Rular Advisory Services for South East Asia (RASSEA) Forum plans to hold a Nutrition-Sensitive Agricultural Extension webinar on Friday, 27 October 2023, inviting extension practitioners, farming actors and entrepreneurs, food experts, researchers, academics and the wider community.

Agriculture sector in Southeast Asia is facing serious problem, in which the production several comodities such as rice and corn is fluctuated causing the unstability in the food supply. One factor influencing the rice productions is climate extreme.

El Niño is a climate pattern that describes the unusual warming of surface waters in the eastern equatorial Pacific Ocean. Trade winds and atmosphere are also impacted by El Niño.

In Indonesia, currently the price of rice is increasing because the availability of rice is decreasing. The impact of El Nino greatly influences this situation. Several provinces have experienced drought which has resulted in rice fields failing to harvest.

The Impact of El Nino on Farmers

The impact of El Nino is felt by farmers, especially in the agricultural sector. Some of the impacts are:

1. Drought

El Nino often causes sea surface temperatures to increase and reduce rainfall in some areas. Prolonged drought can occur as a result of this, causing the availability of water for agriculture to decrease.

• Planting Season Disruption

El Nino changes weather patterns and can disrupt the usual planting season. Farmers may experience delays in planting crops, a reduction in planting area, or even crop failure.

• Diseases and Pests

Changes in weather conditions due to El Nino can affect the spread of plant diseases and pests. A more favorable environment for some diseases and pests may emerge, which can lead to faster spread and damage to crops and reduced yields.

• Decrease in Plant Quality

High temperatures and water shortages due to El Nino can cause a decrease in crop quality. Fruits and vegetables grown in less than ideal conditions tend to be smaller, taste less delicious, and have poor overall quality.

• Market Instability

Changes in agricultural production due to El Nino can cause market instability. If harvests are reduced or fail, supply can decrease, which can then lead to price increases and an imbalance between supply and demand.

Mitigation and climate data are very necessary in the agricultural sector to reduce negative impacts. Therefore, modern agriculture based on data and good risk analysis must be strengthened and its socialization must be intensified.

Efforts to Anticipate and Adapt to El Nino in the Agricultural Sector

To face the threat of El Nino, farmers and governments can take the following steps:

Identification and Mapping of Affected Areas

Identifying and mapping areas at risk of experiencing drought is an important step to anticipate and overcome the impact of El Nino. Higher risk areas can be categorized into red, yellow and green zones to devise appropriate mitigation strategies.

• Planting Acceleration

Farmers can speed up the planting schedule to catch the remaining rain that is still available before the dry period arrives. In this way, they can maximize the potential yield.

• Increased Availability of Machine Tools

The government can increase the availability of agricultural tools and machinery (machines) to help farmers in the process of accelerating planting. Modern machinery allows the planting process to be more efficient and faster.

• Increased Water Availability

Construction and improvement of water management infrastructure such as reservoirs, ditch dams, infiltration wells, rehabilitation of irrigation networks and pumping are important to increase water availability during the dry season.

• Provision of Drought and OPT Resistant Seeds

Providing superior seeds that are drought resistant and optimal pest and disease (OPT) control options need to be prioritized to ensure agriculture continues to produce well even in unfavorable weather conditions.

• El Nino Impact Adaptation and Mitigation Program

The government can design special adaptation and mitigation programs to deal with the impacts of El Nino. This program can include education, technical guidance, and assistance for farmers.

• Centralized and Independent Development of Organic Fertilizer

Using organic fertilizer can help increase soil fertility and plant resistance to drought. The development of centralized and independent organic fertilizer can support farmers in facing El Nino.

The younger generation has an important role in agricultural development. The baton of agricultural development will be passed on to generations who have aspirations to advance the agricultural sector.

The role of youth in agricultural development is:

1. Role in the process of making agricultural development policies.
2. Supervision of government programs in the agricultural sector.
3. Assistance and empowerment of farmers.
4. Become a strong agricultural human resource.

RASSEA is an organization part of the GFRAS network, which is a Sub Regional network that enables multi stakeholders in extension education/RAS to engage and support for the betterment of extension education/RAS towards the sustainability of agri-food in South East Asia.

Since its establishment in 2019, RASSEA has endeavored to provide support and advocacy in the implementation of agricultural extension in Southeast Asia through various meetings and formulation of recommendations for countries as part of country fora as well as recommendations that can be implemented regionally.

RASSEA has developed a strategic plan for 2021-2030 as an operational plan which will also use as a monitoring system that will support program and action planning, measure changes and developments in extension/RAS. in the RASSEA strategic Plan it is stated that RASSEA provide forum exchange or sharing of knowledge and experiences, processing data and information, promoting innovation and lesson learnt among the member countries in extension/RAS. So this webinar and meeting is important as an effort to share experiences as well as prepare recommendations regarding extension/RAS.

1. Youth in Agriculture by Laras Salsabila, Sustainable Development Practice/Post Graduate Student at University of Florida

The role of youth in agriculture is very important as a successor in preparing future food for this reason, it is necessary to have strategies and policies that are conducive so that young people are interested in doing business in the agricultural sector by develop holistic youth development program and Simplify regulatory processes as well as to create a one-stop platform for all agricultural business needs. At the empowerment side, involving youth in agriculture sector should be provide and develop a curriculum that aligns with current agricultural trends and demands for specialized training sessions, webinars, or workshops on agri-tech, sustainable farming, and agri-business management

• Integration Nutrition in Extension and Advisory Service by Dr. Virginia Cardenas, APIRAS Board Member and GFRAS Focal Point.

Improving nutrition is at the core of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) agenda 2: Zero Hunger. It meant that food security, nutrition and agriculture are part of the same global agenda. SDG 2 encourages the world to end hunger, achieve food security and improved nutrition, and promote sustainable agriculture. In line with the purpose of extension/RAS which encompasses all activities aimed to providing information and services needed by farmers and other actors in rural settings, which assist them in developing their own technical, organizational, and management skills and practices so as to improve their livelihoods and well-being.  The integration of nutrition in RAS is important because it is necessary to raise awareness for all parties, both for farmers as producers of quality food to women who will process nutritious food. For that sake it will be requires a strong and comprehensive policy because it is not only from the agricultural side but also from the health side and also law enforcement especially to get fair food for the people.

The RASSEA 3^rd Biennial Meeting discussed follow-ups that would be carried out by both the country fora and RASSEA as regional networking. As an introduction to the discussion, start with the presentation delivered by:

1. Dr. Siti Amanah as chairperson of RASSEA
2. Dr. Arlene Flores as the Philipines Country fora chairperson
3. Prof. Dr. Noorsida Man as country Fora chairperson of Malaysia
4. Dr. Johan David Wetik as country fora chairperson for Indonesia

The discussion at the RASSEA 3^rd  Biennial Meeting conducted by each presenter conveyed the potentials and constraints in developing the organization both in each country and regionally. 

In general, the problems faced by country fora concern to governance and organizations that are still not sustainable, support from stakeholders that needs to be increased, as well as adequate financial support for the implementation of activities in accordance with plans that have been develop. However, all country forums agree that the activities carried out have very positive impact in developing extensions/RAS in each respective country for strengthening the food and nutrition system through an approach that prioritizes community empowerment.

The meeting resulted in several points of following agreement was obtained:

1. Maintaining program and activities include RASSEA website as information and communication virtual platform
2. Strengthening country fora in providing support or recommendations for implementing extensions/RAS in each respective country
3. Conduct join program of RAS in South East Asia on matters of capacity building, poverty alleviation, gender mainstreaming to improve the quality of extension/RAS for developing better food and nutrition policy.
4. Identify champion figures who can pushed  organizations to the next level that have leadership and integrity
5. Strengthening network with potential partner in developing extension/RAS
6. Identify opportunities to obtain sustainable funding sources by fund raising and resources mobilization

The next 4^th RASSEA meeting in 2025 will be proposed hosted by the Phillipines/Phileasnet.

Dear Digital RAS Community,

We are happy to announce that, after discussions with our GIZ colleagues, we have set a date for the Global Webinar on the Digital RAS project.

We propose it for Tuesday, 29 August, between 13:00 and 15:00 CEST.

A full programme will follow in the next weeks, but attached is already a flyer we ask you to share with your networks. It has the registration link, which you can also find here.

We’re looking forward to seeing you all there!

The registration link, which you can also find here.

Friday, 9 June 2023. Dr. Siti Amanah (Chair, APIRAS, and RASSEA), Prof Dr Norsida Man (Chairperson for Malaysia Forum for RAS Network), Dr. Johan David Wetik (Chairperson, IFRAS), Dr. Epsi Euriga (Program Officer, RASSEA), Dr. Ranny Mutiara C., Lanny Eugenia, and Feriadi were involved in the virtual meeting. The topic is Country Fora Enhancement especially in southeast asia. The results of the meeting agreed that The Third Annual Meeting of RASSEA Would be held in September. The even will be hosted by Malaysia Forum for RAS Network Cooperated with IFRAS UPM, FEMA IPB University, University Community Transformation Centre (UCTC).

The 3rd Regional Virtual Meeting on Digital RAS in Asia, 

May 10th, 2023

Rural Advisory Services for Southeast Asia (RASSEA) in collaboration with the Global Forum for Rural Advisory Services (GFRAS) successfully held the 3rd Regional Webinar on May 10^th 2023, with the theme: “Contemporary Digital Innovations in Southeast Asia Agricultural Extension.” This seminar was also supported by the Faculty of Human Ecology IPB University and the Indonesian Association of Development Extension Experts (PAPPI). This seminar aims to share the results of studies on Contemporary Digital Innovations in Southeast Asia Agricultural Extension. The study team led by Dr. Siti Amanah involved teams from two countries, namely Indonesia and the Philippines.  Attending the seminar were representatives of the Government of  Indonesia, Stakeholders and Global & Regional RAS Networks. Participants came from several countries, including Indonesia, the Philippines and Switzerland. This seminar presented speakers Dr. Siti Amanah &; Dr. Rani Mutiara (Indonesia) and Dr. Arlene Luna Flores (Philippines), moderated by Dr. Eric Palacpac from the Philippines.

Ms. Ingrid Oleivera representing GFRAS delivered a welcoming speech, explaining that the objective of the study is to have a better understanding of digital solutions work in the region, challenges and potentials, the conclusions and future recommendations for all actors to support RAS, and Promote cross learning. 

 

Dr Eric Palacpac moderated the presentation and discussions during the webinar.  Dr Eric is Chief Knowledge Management Division, Department of Agriculture – Philippines Carabao Center. He was the former President of the Philippines Extension and Advisory Services Network (PhilEASNet). Dr. Eric introduced the three speakers to the webinar participants and facilitated the discussions.

A glance of the introduction was shared by Dr Siti Amanah as the  Chairperson of RASSEA. She explained the background, objective, approach and strategies to undertake the Digital RAS study in two selected countries in Southeast Asia, Indonesia and the Philippines. It was briefly explained that the rapid development of ICT has changed strategies in the agricultural sector, especially in terms of increasing farmers’ or producer’s knowledge and skills so that they can produce quality and competitive products. With the development of information and communication technology, the agricultural extension approach has transformed from a process that requires the full support of extension workers to a very independent extension where farmers seek and obtain information with the support of information technology. 

Dr Ranny Mutiara presents learning from an Indonesia case study, My Agri, a Digital RAS App focused on Horticulture. Share the overall profile and key findings explored towards its user characteristics and dynamic, services and benefits, current business model, impact and challenges. Mentions the conclusions of the My Agri case study that is Digital agriculture extension offers great potential to assist farmers, extension workers, and other users with access to real-time information, including on-farm and off-farm solutions. The challenges and constraints in scaling up the services, among others, are institutionalization issues, technical aspects (such as Accessibility, Human Resource capacity development) and sustainability (such as Business Model Development, Financial Plan, Technology & Services Innovations and Political Will). 

Dr Arlene Flores presents Learning from the Philippines case study, The Rice Crop Manager Advisory Services (RCMAS), a suite of complementary tools integrated into a single digital platform in Rice. Share the overall profile and key findings explored towards its users, current partnership/business model, results and impacts, challenges and lessons learned, and its specific recommendations. Mentions the conclusions of RCMAS case study that Digitally supported extension/RAS provided benefit, usefulness, recognition towards performance and promoted inclusive development to farmers and implementers. There are a number of challenges that need to be addressed to support the digital transformation in agricultural extension among others, are institutionalization, technical aspects (such as Infrastructure, Digital tools, Human Resource capacity development, and Data) and sustainability (such as Partnership & collaboration Development and Financial). 

Major highlights from the Discussion towards Strategic Framework to promote Digital RAS among priorities were presented by Ms Lani Eugenia and Dr Epsi Euriga. The key insights presented include (1) Multi-stakeholder awareness, partnership and collaboration to give more impact (scalability and sustainability of Digital RAS) and business model development that fulfills the needs of farmers, (2) HR Capacity Development towards technology (especially for extension workers and farmers), (3) ICT Infrastructure (especially in rural areas, strengthening local/village extension center), (4) Government Support: Policy (Policy Development and Regulations in Digital RAS). (5) Financing (Long term finance; integrating into the MoA/DA, cooperation and partnership with the private sector and investors, including incentives for experts or extension workers)

In the closing statement, Ms Ingrid Oliveira invited the audiences to participate in the global events of GFRAS that will exchange learning about digital RAS study from different regions. A reminder about the next webinar was also notified. Before the webinar closed, Ms. Harieta Julie Zefanya Matondang as the MC invited all attendees to take photo sessions. 

May 10th, 2023

 RASSEA Study Team

When : Wednesday, May 10, 2023.

Rural Advisory Services for Southeast Asia (RASSEA) Forum is a Sub Regional Network (SRN) of Asia Pacific Islands Rural Advisory Services (APIRAS) and a member of the Global Forum for Rural Advisory Services (GFRAS). Faculty of Human Ecology (FEMA) IPB University has been the host of RASSEA since its establishment.

Representing APIRAS, supported by GFRAS and giz, RASSEA has conducted a study on contemporary digital innovations in Southeast Asia agricultural extension. MyAgri in Indonesia and Rice Crop Manager Advisory Service (RCMAS) in the Philippines are selected as the cases. The study aims to understand how digital solutions work, whether there are any challenges experienced in providing the services and further strategies to improve the rural advisory services (RAS).

The 3rd Regional Virtual Meeting will share the results from our inquiries into the two cases, exchange learning among the meeting participants, and discuss the strategy to promote future digital tools in RAS. The speakers are the RASSEA Study Team and the discussants.

Please register through this link:
https://bit.ly/DigiRASWebinarReg

The Virtual Regional Meeting will be held on:
Day, date: Wednesday, 10 Mei 2023
at 14:30 – 16:30 CET or 19:30 – 21:30 UTC+7 (Jakarta, Bangkok)

The rundown program (in UTC+7)
19:30 Opening (MC)
19:35 Welcoming Speech from GFRAS/RASSEA
19:45 Moderator (Dr. Eric Palacpac) invites the presenters
19:50 Background and approaches of the study: Dr. Siti Amanah
20:00 Learning from the Indonesia Case Study (MyAgri): Dr. Ranny Mutiara
20:15 Learning from the Philippines Case Study (RCMAS): Dr. Arlene Luna Flores
20:30 Discussions
21:15 Wrap up (Ms. Lanny Eugenia and Dr. Epsi Euriga)

Looking forward to having you in the event.
Thank you.

Best regards,
RAS-SEA

FRIENDS of RASSEA…., The beautiful and holy month will soon return to bring meaningful happiness to the waiting souls. Ramadan is a month full of forgiveness, it’s time for us to cleanse ourselves from all sins to return to fitrah to achieve victory. Happy Ramadhan.

Dear Digital RAS Group,

Below is the invitation for tomorrow’s webinar, hosted by Anglophone Africa:
Their presentation will focus on:
Uganda: DIGITAL EXTENSION SERVICES PROVIDERS IN UGANDA: A CASE STUDY OF FAMUNERA AGRIBUSINESS MARKETPLACE
Nigeria: CONTEMPORARY DIGITAL INNOVATIONS & SOLUTIONS FOR AGRICULTURAL EXTENSION ADVISORY SERVICS: THE CASE OF NIGERIA FARMERS HELPLINE

The Webinar discussed about the current potentials and challenges of digitalization and Rural Advisory Services in Asia, conducted in collaboration with RASSEA, GFRAS, GIZ and supported by APIRAS and IPB University. Attend in the webinar are Representative of Gov’t of Indonesia, Gov’t of Philippines, Global & Regional RAS Stakeholders and Networks, Indonesia and the Philippines Study Team, and Resource Persons in RAS Technology & Communication Services.

Dr.Hlami Ngwenya from GFRAS Secretariat open the webinar and expressed enthusiasm in following the sharing exchange, expected lesson learn inspire from the recent Digital RAS study that can be share within GFRAS networks, while Chairperson of RASSEA, Dr.Siti Amanah extended welcome speech to all the participants  

Sharing Session By Mr. Erlangga and Mr. Ronny Adhikarya

–  an opportunity towards new concept of knowledge/communication brokering, where in this case ( GFRAS has been developing a concept of knowledge brokering called new extensionist, Inclusive RAS Participation by Formulate involvement RAS actor within AIS,  opportunities towards ICT, and created New Extensionist learning KIT), alternative channels to generated Online Service through Social Media, and other online platform.

Opportunity and challenge to explore A demand driven RAS orientation

– Challenge remaining in RAS tech Infrastructure and Digital Litercy, and measuring Digital RAS effectively use by farmer and extensionist, a need towards Ethic communication, a need smart tool in validating data and Generating financial scheme such as paid digital extension

• Closure and way forward

In a fast changing world, Digital RAS plays as effective tool to closing the gap towards some existing RAS demand. Yet issues towards access, technical, management, and funding are those that become great homework for all, the RAS stakeholders.

The Digitas Ras team held a meeting to prepare for the webinar. The event will be held on Thursday 9 March 2023. Good preparation is done for maximum results.

The Digitas Ras team held a meeting to prepare for the webinar. The event will be held on Thursday 9 March 2023. Good preparation is done for maximum results.

Topic: REGIONAL WEBINAR ON DIGITAL RAS: ASIA
Time: Thursday, 9 Mar 2023, at 10:00-12:00 CET (Swiss, Berlin)*
16:00-18:00 UTC+7 (Jakarta/Bangkok)/17:00-19:00 UTC+8

The 14th GFRAS Annual Meeting (GAM), hosted by the North American Agricultural Advisory Network (NAAAN) is scheduled for Tuesday, October 17, through Thursday, October 19, 2023. This in-person event will be held at the Hilton Garden Inn Denver Union Station in Denver, Colorado, United States and will focus on ‘Building the Next Generation of Leaders in Agriculture’. Additional meeting information will be shared in the coming weeks and months.

We encourage international attendees to begin the visa application process as soon as possible. Contact the NAAAN Secretariat with visa-related questions by emailing csus_naaan@mail.colostate.edu. If you are interested in supporting the event as a sponsor, we encourage you to also contact the NAAAN Secretariat.

The NAAAN is an agricultural advisory service network that links agricultural extension communities with one another and with stakeholders in Canada, Mexico, and the United States. NAAAN connects with counterparts in other countries through membership in GFRAS and is the 17th GFRAS network.

On Tuesday, 13st February 2023 a meeting was held which was initiated by the GFRAS secretariat. This meeting was held in order to evaluate the progress of the Digital Extension project. This meeting was attended by several regions, namely Southeast Asia, Africa and Latin America.

Ingrid Oliveira as a GFRAS representative said that the project being worked on was rolling according to the agreed time. If there are obstacles in the region, the team can to solve the problem by simplifying and readjusting it so that the digital extension project can be completed.

STRENGTHENING RURAL ADVISORY SERVICES IN THE ASIA-PACIFIC

APIRAS Learning Workshop, Bangkok, Thailand, 24-26 January 2023

Bangkok, Dr. Siti Amanah (Chair, APIRAS, and RASSEA), Dr. Epsi Euriga (Program Officer, RASSEA), and Dr. Johan David Wetik (Chairperson, IFRAS) were involved in the APIRAS Learning Workshop in Bangkok, Thailand. On this, the first day of the workshop, the sub-regional network including Siti Amanah (RAS-SEA), Botir Dosov (CAC-FRAS), Souvanthong Namvong (MELA) Nimisha Mittal (AESA) presented the current status as like key interventions, governance, support to Country Fora (CF), financing, challenges and opportunities, and future plans. The agenda followed by a presentation from regional networks/initiatives:(1) Ravi Khetarpal (APAARI), Pierre Ferrand (FAO-RAP), Roy Murray Prior (APEN), Song Yong-sup (RDA/AFACI) and Eng Chheanghong (GIZ) Delgermaa Chuluunbaatar (FAO-TAP-AIS) also GFRAS initiatives and documentation on Country Fora (CF) by Ingrid Oliveira (GFRAS). Then the final meeting on the first day established CF including Arlene Flores (PhilEASNet-Philippines), Afzal Hossain Bhuiyan (BAEN-Bangladesh), Botir Dosov (KGFRAS-Kyrgyzstan).

The second day began with a wrap-up from day one by Virginia Cardenas (member APIRAS SC) and then followed by the presentation of the current status of the emerging CF (Key interventions, governance, financing, composition, challenges, and opportunities, and future plans) including Krishantha & Ranila (Sri Lanka), Mahesh Chander (India), Chea Sokhon & Heng Choulong (Cambodia), Johan David Wetik & Epsi Euriga (Indonesia), Norsida (Malaysia), Nabira (Uzbekistan), Turmandakh (Mongolia), Bulent Sezer (Turkiye), Kerimbekov (Kazakhstan). After the current status of emerging CF, then followed by groups work sub-region. They have developed a 2-year work plan for the newly emerging CF Based on the learnings from Day 1 and new opportunities that they visualize after that each CF makes a 10 minutes presentation on CF Work Plan. The third day is closed with a presentation of what actions are needed to strengthen APIRAS and the action needed include (identification of key interventions, key responsibilities, implementation plan, and timelines.) on Regional Initiatives; Sub-Regional Initiatives; CF Initiatives; Participation in GFRAS Initiatives (Nutrition Working Group/Digital Extension Study/ Agroecology Initiative, NELK-New modules and Promotion).

The last day of APIRAS learning workshop activities is the Extended Steering Committee Meeting of APIRAS to discuss: (1) Hosting, (2) Governance, (3) Resource Generation, (4) Collaborations, (5) Priorities chaired by Siti Amanah (Chair, APIRAS) and facilitated by Rasheed Sulaiman V.

The GFRAS Annual Meeting is Approaching: Register Now! 

The 13th GFRAS Annual Meeting will take place face-to-face between 25 and 27 October 2022 in Santiago, Chile. Side events are planned to take place on October 24th.

Join us to discuss ways that agriculture and nutrition impact each other, what can extensionists change in order to improve nutrition and how to effectively partner with others working on improving the nutrition of different communities.

The Annual Meeting is co-organized by the Red Latinoamericana para Servicios de Extensión Rural (RELASER), the Inter-American Institute for Cooperation on Agriculture (IICA), the Universidad de Chile, and the Chile Ministry of Agriculture. Registration will stay open until September 15.

Link Registration : https://bit.ly/Registration13thGAM

Posters Session

During the GAM, you will have the chance to present your work or project related to nutrition and extension. Let us know in the registration form whether you are interested. Persons interested in presenting a poster should register before August 31.

Persons interested in presenting their work during a Poster Session will also have the possibility to do it remotely. Kindly note that only a few slots will be made available for remote presentations, and this will be confirmed on an individual basis. Interested persons should fill in the registration form and send an e-mail to ingrid.oliveira@g-fras.org to inform they wish to present remotely. There is no fee for online participation.

The Asia-Pacific Islands Rural Advisory Services Network (APIRAS) and the Asia-Pacific Association of Agricultural Research Institutions (APAARI) in partnership with the Research and Extension Unit of the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) of the United Nations are committed to strengthening agriculture innovation systems (AIS) in the Asia-Pacific region for agri-food systems transformation.

In line with this commitment, they would like to cordially invite you to the upcoming webinar “Strengthening capacities of key regional research and extension organizations to support agriculture innovation in Asia-Pacific” to share their recent work in the region, highlighting new survey results on the challenges and opportunities facing national research and extension organizations in strengthening AIS and good practices from regional initiatives that have successfully addressed some of these challenges. The webinar will take place on 21st June 2022, from 11:30 to 13:00 Bangkok time.

Panellists from research and extension organizations in the Asia-Pacific will discuss the results, linking them with their practical experiences, thus demonstrating potential solutions to key issues facing agriculture innovation in the region.
This event is organized in the context of the EU-funded TAP-AIS project, implemented by FAO.

For more information : networkapiras@gmail.com ; apaari@apaari.org

Tropentag, the annual international conference on research in tropical and subtropical agriculture and rural development, encourages young scientists to present their work.

We already received a good number of contributions for Tropentag 2022 however, on request we will leave our submission portal open untill May 10, 2022 (at midnight CEST).
This year’s Tropentag will take place in Prague from 14 to 16 September 2022 and is interdisciplinary, science-based and development-oriented.
We offer both, in-person and online-only participation possibilities.

For more info : https://www.tropentag.de/

Save the date for the next GFRAS Annual Meeting! Hosted by the Red Latinoamericana de Extensión Rural (RELASER), the 13th GAM will take place between 24 and 28 October 2022 in Santiago, Chile. The topic of this year’s meeting is “Nutrition-Sensitive Extension” and we will offer, as always, keynote addresses, group discussions, field trips, and create many possibilities to discuss and plan the implementation of needed changes in our food systems. Participants will also be offered the possibility to join remotely.  Registration will open in June, here on the GFRAS website.

The International Association of Students in Agricultural and Related Sciences (IAAS) Asia Pacific in collaboration with RASSEA (Rural Advisory Services in Southeast Asia) held a webinar in a series of Asia-Pacific Director Meeting activities on Monday, March 21^st2022 via Zoom Meeting. This activity has the theme “Rethinking Youth-driven Innovation for enhancing Sustainable Agriculture in the New Normal Era”. On this occasion, Dr. Siti Amanah, Chair of the RASSEA presented a material entitled Youth Innovation and Sustainable Agriculture. This topic is very important because, in this era, it is very necessary to present an opportunity to increase interest in the agricultural sector, especially for youth.

Youth’s Innovation and Sustainable Agriculture

Agriculture is not only about sources of food, fuel, fiber, and forests. However, more holistically, it consists of environmental, political, socio-economic & business aspects. Management of agricultural resources is not only about the inputs provided but also about the management of human resources. The important things of human resources in agriculture is about actors who are responsible for managing agricultural land from the preparation stage to the production. The managers of agricultural resources are important to be regenerated in order to make agriculture develops and advances for future generations. Therefore, the agricultural sector requires the potential of youth who are able to contribute to agricultural problems in Indonesia.

In reality, agriculture in particular sustainable agriculture and food systems has its own challenges. The existence of aging in agriculture, land-use change and conversion occurs a lot and becomes a problem, so innovation and support system are really needed. One of them is through a structural and cultural approach. One of the most important is the approach by maximizing the role of youth. According to United Nations data via VVEF, the percentage of youth aged 10-24 years in 2050 will continue to decrease. This is certainly a challenge to be able to optimize the role of youth in the agricultural sector. Therefore, to be able to improve youth engagement and innovation, it is important to maximize the character potential, curiosity, tenacity, care & competencies of youth. This is very important to be able to build collaboration, systems, leadership and mobilization of resources. Millennial characters that are very important for are trusting, able to maintain connectivity, creative, and able to manage digital devices (IoT, social media). In addition, three skills need to be constantly developed, starting from hard skills, soft skills, and power skills. The most important skills are critical thinking, co-creation, communication, and collaboration. These skills are very supportive in implementing the Agricultural Innovation System (AIS) and creating Frugal Innovation in the midst of limitations.

The AIS framework recognizes innovation as an interactive process. Central to the process are the interactions of different actors and their ideas; the institutions (the attitudes, habits, rules, laws, norms, practices, and ways of working) that shape how individuals and organizations interact; and learning as a means of evolving new arrangements specific to local contexts. While interaction among the actors within the innovation system is critical for innovation, several institutional and policy barriers generally constrain effective collaboration and knowledge flows among these different actors (GFRAS 2015). Meanwhile, Frugal Innovation is an innovation to serve the needs of the lower classes of society by modifying existing resources, designing, and developing low-cost products, so product prices are more affordable. This of course can support the development of sustainable agriculture. Some examples of the role of youth in sustainable agriculture are creating a digital platform to assist farmers in marketing their products, as done by Sayurbox Indonesia, Uma Philippines, and Agrostar India.

At the end of the session participants asked questions to Mrs. Siti Amanah and discussed with each other, especially about the challenges and preparation of youth in contributing for sustainable agriculture.

GFRAS that GFRAS and JICA, the Japanese International Cooperation Agency, are organizing a NELK training on the “Smallholder Horticulture Empowerment and Promotion” (SHEP) module we developed together. This training will take place over four sessions of no more than two-hours each, be guided by a SHEP instructor, and are to be held online on the following dates: March 10th, March 17th, March 24th, and March 31st, between 8:00 and 10:00 Swiss Time. Training will be held in English. A flyer with the registration link is attached. Please share to your colleagues and network. 

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Agriculture in tropical region has a unique agro-ecology and socio-economic of the community. Unprecedented changes related to nature and human activities have affected the agri-food value chains. Considering the challenges of agriculture in the tropics, Rural Advisory Services for Southeast Asia (RAS-SEA) wishes to organize a side event entitled “The Tropical Agriculture Platform (TAP) towards the future advisory services and agro-ecology.” The side event aims to share the idea and social innovation on transformation of agriculture/rural advisory services in the new normal era and fast development of digital technology. All stakeholders should have a clear vision for the future agriculture/rural advisory services. The question is how TAP as a platform can assist farmers, female farmers, and youth meet the need? How could extension and advisory services become more professional, sustainable, and agro-ecology oriented? Interested to join? Join us on 30 November 2021 at the designed time.09:30-11:30 Serbia Time15:30-17:30 Jakarta/Bangkok Time 16:30-18:30 KL/Sin/Manila Time

Please fill the link below :Thank you!

OVERCOMING COVID-19: HOW AGROECOLOGY AND RURAL ADVISORY SERVICES CAN SUPPORT RECOVERY AND STRONGER VALUE CHAINS

The 12th GFRAS Annual Meeting will take place virtually and be organized in Belgrade, Serbia between 1 and 3 December, 2021. Side events are planned to take place on November 30th.

Join us to discuss how agroecology is acquiring new relevance and a path to reconstruct a post-COVID-19 agriculture. The Annual meeting is co-organized by the Institute for Science Application in Agriculture, Serbia (IPN/ ISAA) and the South Eastern Europe Advisory Service Network (SEASN).

Apply now here

For iCRA COURSES: April – July 2022 

OKP Scholarship application deadline is 28 October 2021 MENA/MSPScholarship application deadline is 11 October 2021

How to apply in steps?  Go to the course webpage www.icra.global/courses  On this page you can choose and apply to the course Check whether you need to upload a Government Statement for your OKP or MSP scholarship application  After submitting your ICRA application, you will receive a mail with further information. Please check your spam box! If you have any questions, check our FAQ or when still questions please contact saskia.vleer@icra.global   Comment s’inscrire ?  Veuillez visiter le page web: www.icra.global/fr/formations  Au page web du cours, vous pouvez vous inscriver Verifiez si vous devez télécharger une déclaration gouvernementale pour une demande de bourse OKP ou MSP   Après vous avez soumis votre formulaire vous recevriez l’ information specifique sur la demande de bourse par email. Si vous avez des questions, consultez notre FAQ quand vous avez encore des questions veuillez contacter : saskia.vleer@icra.global

Click here for Scholarship Information

Course: Making Agribusiness Work Building agribusiness relations for sustainable profit For: Professionals providing business support services to producers, processors and other affiliated enterprises and professionals working for rural advisory services and in knowledge institutes who are involved in agribusiness and entrepreneurship. When: 9 May – 23 July 2022 full programme including online learning elements (part-time) and one week face-to-face group training: 12 – 18 June (when possible). How to apply and more information you can find ON OUR COURSE WEBPAGE, link to the ICRA application form (only May 2022 course) The Scholarship application is separate from the iCRA application, here you can find more information on the scholarship application.  Please make sure you upload the correct format for the employer statement.

Course: Making Blended Training Work  Designing and delivering (online & blended) training that has impact on participants  For: Trainers transforming their group training into online and blended training programmes, who provide online training to participants with an unstable internet. Trainers who want to share experiences and passion for their work. When: 25 April – 29 June 2022 full programme including online learning elements (part-time) and 22 – 29 June face to face group training in the Netherlands. More information and the iCRA application form can be found on our course webpage.  Scholarship application is separate from the iCRA application, more information on the scholarship application you can find HERE,  please make sure you upload the correct format for the employer statement.

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Course: Making Education Work  Transforming education for youth employment   For: Lecturers, instructors or researchers at universities or vocational training centres in agriculture and rural development. When: 11 April – 29 June 2022 full programme including online learning elements (part-time) and 22 – 29 June face to face group training in the Netherlands. More information and the iCRA application form can be found on our course webpage.  Scholarship application is separate from the iCRA application, more information on the scholarship application you can find HERE,  please make sure you upload the correct format for the employer statement.

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Course: Making Research Work  Solving complex agri-food problems through action research For: Researchers from universities or research institutes working in the agri & food sector or involved in community outreach activities. When: 16 May – 15 July 2022 full programme including online learning elements (part-time) and from 22 – 29 June face to face group training in the Netherlands. More information and the iCRA application form can be found on our course webpage.  Scholarship application is separate from the iCRA application, more information on the scholarship application you can find HERE,  please make sure you upload the correct format for the employer statement.

Click here for Course Information

iCRA is dedicated to improving the livelihoods of farmers and their communities. We believe that building trust is key to the success of sustainable solutions. Our courses are a unique opportunity for professionals in the agricultural sector to get together, gain insights and skills on aspects of interactive learning, research, rural innovation and agribusiness.

The State of Food Security and Nutrition in the World 2021 (SOFI, formerly the State of Food and Agriculture) is the first evidence-based global assessment of chronic food insecurity since the emergence of the COVID-19 pandemic. For the third time in a row, it was launched during the High-Level Political Forum on Sustainable Development. For the fifth time, it has been co-written by five major institutions in the field of global development; the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), the International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD), the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF), the World Food Programme (WFP) and the World Health Organisation (WHO).

Frightening numbers, multiple causes
SOFI 2021 starts with presenting the situation in data, and the stats are alarming; about 10% of the world population were suffering from undernourishment in 2020, which represent an increase of up to 166 million people since 2019, whereas the numbers had stagnated over the past previous years. The scenario is even more alarming for children: 29% are undernourished, while 6% are overweight. Moreover, women are particularly hit, one third of all women have an iron deficiency. Overall, nearly 30% of the entire global population faced food shortages or difficulties to access healthy food at some point during 2020.

The COVID-19 pandemic has shown the world how fragile food provisioning and accessibility can be in certain areas. Nevertheless, the root causes of hunger remain the same. The report names conflicts, climate extremes and variability, economic slowdowns and downturns, the high costs of healthy diets and poverty and inequality amongst certain population groups as the main drivers of hunger worldwide. In countries where these drivers co-exist, the situation is even more challenging. In the sense that food systems are interlinkages of its various components, all these issues need to be addressed jointly. For full articel please Read siani.se

Transforming Extension and Advisory Services to Promote Agroecology
Rasheed Sulaiman V, CoSAI Commissioner and Co-Chair of Working Group 3: Pathways for Innovation in Sustainable Agriculture Intensification; Director, Centre for Research on Innovation and Science Policy (CRISP), India, and a member of the GFRAS Board has written a Blog Post for the Commission on Sustainable Agriculture Intensification (CoSAI), on the importance of Agroecology in RAS.

His text, initially made available on CoSAI’s website, is also reproduced here:

As the need for new approaches to sustainable agriculture increases, agroecological approaches have gained prominence in scientific, agricultural and political discourse. Agroecology is fundamentally different from other approaches to sustainable development in that it focuses on localized and bottom-up solutions, ensuring that farmers, their communities and their local knowledge are fully integrated in improving agricultural sustainability. This adaptable and flexible approach suggests ways to not only promote efficient and resilient agricultural systems, but to ensure food security and healthy diets, and support the conservation and restoration of biodiversity – thereby fulfilling the three pillars for integrated land use and food systems. Full articel please Kindly Read on https://www.g-fras.org/en/gfras/1120-transforming-extension-and-advisory-services-to-promote-agroecology.html

More with less. This is the challenge and the mantra for our future.

With an ever-growing population to feed and with our current rate of usage, there will be less fresh water, less arable soil, less available land for agriculture or clean, fruitful seas for fisheries.

Harnessing the power of nature by mixing modern science with traditional and indigenous knowledge of food producers and farmers is the concept behind agroecology. It can help:

🌱 Build resilient livelihoods
🌱 Safeguard biodiversity
🌱 Boost nutrition
🌱 Sustainably manage the planet’s natural resources
🌱 Respond to climate change

OUR actions are OUR future! Share your ideas on how we can all make a difference.👇

Source: FAO

The SHEP approach is one of agricultural extension approaches. It includes pursuing farming as a business — especially promoting the sharing of market information among farmers and stakeholders of the market, thereby mitigating the information gap — and designing a series of activities with consideration for farmers’ motivation.

This approach, first developed in Kenya, has by now been implemented in over twenty countries. Farmers who have received support through this approach are proud in and enjoy their farming. These farmers have experienced real improvements in their livelihoods.

SHEP has now been developed as a New Extensionist Learning Kit (NELK) Module. An introductory training will take place on Tuesday, August 24th 2021, between 10.00 and 12.00 Swiss/CEST time

The 2nd International Conference on Organic Agriculture in the Tropics (OrgaTrop 2021)

Dear Potential Participants,

Through this email, we announce that Department of Soil, Universitas Gadjah Mada in collaboration with ISOFAR (International Society of Organic Agriculture Research), BBSDLP (Center for Agricultural Land Resources, Research and Development, Indonesia), and HITI (Indonesian Soil Science Society) proudly present:

THE 2nd INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCE ON ORGANIC AGRICULTURE IN TROPICS (ORGATROP) 2021
entitled “Organic Agriculture as a Sustainable Agro-system to Support Agriculture Production and Food Safety Under the Threat of Climate Change”. This conference will be held on:

🗓️ Day/Date: Thursday-Friday, 28 – 29 October 2021
📍Event: Online via Zoom Meeting

📋 [Our Honorable Invited Speaker]:
1) Prof. Ir. Dwikorita Karnawati M.Sc., Ph.D., Head of BMKG (Meteorological, Climatological, and Geophysical Agency, Indonesia)
2) Ir. Hartono, M.Sc., Head of BRGM (Peatland and Mangrove Restoration Agency, Indonesia)
3) Husnain S.P., M.P., M.Sc. Ph.D, Head of BBSLDP (Center for Agricultural Land Resources, Research and Development, Indonesia)
4) Prof. Gerold Rahmann (International Society of Organic Farming – President of ISOFAR)
5) Prof. Stefaan De Neve (Ghent University, Belgium)
6) Prof. Dr. Ir. Azwar Ma’as, M.Sc. (Universitas Gadjah Mada, Indonesia)
7) Prof. Budiman Minasny (Sidney University, Australia)
8) Prof. Damien Field (Sidney University, Australia)
9) Prof. Iin Handayani (Murray State University, Kentucky USA)
10) Prof. Michael Böhme, (Humboldt Universität zu Berlin, Berlin, Germany)
11) Prof. Keitaro Tawaraya (Yamagata University, Japan)
12) Prof. Yo Toma (Hokkaido University, Japan)
13) Dr. Spyroz Paparrizos (Wageningen University & Research, The Netherlands)
14) Melissa Parks, Ph.D cand. (Oregon State University, USA)

📥 [Important dates]:
Abstract deadline: 30 September 2021
Abstract acceptance: 15 October 2021
Payment deadline: 20 October 2021
Fullpaper deadline: 15 November 2021

📌 [Publication]:
Proceedings with SCOPUS-indexed and ISBN-indexed.

📝[Registration] :
https://orgatrop.faperta.ugm.ac.id/

☎️ Please kindly take a look more information at our flyer (attached) and our website (https://orgatrop.faperta.ugm.ac.id/)

If you have any question or request, please contact OrgaTrop Secretariat at orgatrop.faperta@ugm.ac.id

Welcome to the online conference Agri4D 28-30 September. The Conference is organised by the Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences (SLU) and the Swedish International Agriculture Network Initiative (SIANI), with support from the Swedish International Development Cooperation Agency (Sida).

To progress towards sustainable and just food systems, Agri4D will bring together researchers, policy makers and practitioners to engage actively with the challenges of food systems with a focus on low-income contexts in a globalised world. The conference aims to be a platform to take stock of the current knowledge frontier, connect science to policymaking and practice, and spark new collaborations.

Times
From 28 September 2021 at 09:00 to 30 September 2021 at 15:30
Venue
Online
Hosted by
Contact Agri4D:
Event coordinator: Alin Kadfak
E-mail: agri4d@slu.sebhb

Register now for GFRAS introductory training on the “Smallholder Horticulture Empowerment and Promotion (SHEP)” extension approach learning model. Initially developed by the Japanese International Cooperation Agency (JICA), it is now also available as a NELK module!  

• Save the date: the GFRAS Annual Meeting announces its dates and topic;
• The Australasia Pacific Extension Network (APEN) opens registration for its 2022 International Conference;
• AFAAS releases an e-booklet with stories from ten of its Country Fora;
• More impact stories from the ground: developing an appropriate career path in agriculture – the example from Australia;
• A Global Good Practice Note on Innovation: how can we support farmers, agri-business and service providers to adapt to an ever-changing environment;
• Showcasing Country Fora: Get to know AADER – la Asociasión Argentina de Extensión Rural, the Country Forum in Argentina;

We hope you enjoy this edition of the GFRAS Update!

GFRAS in collaboration with JICA will host a 2-hour virtual introductory training on SHEP as part of the New Extensionist Learning Kit. It will take place on August 24th between 10:00 and 12:00 CET/Swiss time. SHEP is an innovative approach to agricultural extension services that is anchored on the disciplines of economics and psychology. SHEP has been effective in raising smallholder farmers’ income from horticulture as it develops both the technical and managerial capacity of farmers to practice market-oriented farming. A session not to be missed!

Smallholder Horticulture Empowerment and Promotion – Register now

Register for an introductory training for a new NELK module, and much more! through GFRAS website

The theme of The 76th Indonesian Independence Day this year is “Indonesia is Tough, Indonesia Grows”. This theme describes the values ​​of resilience, the never give up spirit to move forward together on a challenging situation, in order to achieve a better future.
RASSEA is ready to support Indonesia grows tough. Happy Indonesia Independence Day!

As Singapore’s Independence Day Message recorded by the Prime Minister of Singapore “examines domestic and global developments, reviews economic performance and prospects and outlines the national priorities and plans of the government as Singaporeans to move forward with a unified purpose”.
RASSEA would like to support the Singapore National message and wish “Happy Singapore Independence Day!”

ASEAN (Association of Southeast Asian Nations) is a regional organization that accommodates the cooperation of 10 countries in Southeast Asia. There are the Philippines, Indonesia, Malaysia, Singapore, Thailand, Brunei Darussalam, Vietnam, Laos, Myanmar, and Cambodia. 

In line with the ASEAN’s purposes to build relations between countries in Southeast Asia for the betterment of education, economic growth, social progress and cultural development. RASSEA as a rural advisory services organization operating in Southeast Asia that has similar vision also wants to support and wishes “Happy ASEAN Day 54th! We Care, We Prepare, We Prosper”.

Good news! The Ministry of Agriculture Indonesia will conduct online training for 1 million farmers and extension workers with the theme of managing soil fertility. This training will be held on July 28 2021, 09.00 AM – 14.15 PM. Register yourself now!

Agriculture and horticulture are key sectors throughout Southeast Asia. Rice is still the region’s main crop, other commodities such as maize, coffee, cocoa as well as fruits and vegetables are also have an important part. Besides, palm oil is one of the main agricultural products for both Indonesia and Malaysia.

Current estimates show that nearly 690 million people are hungry. Sustainable development goal 2 (SDG2) seeks sustainable solutions to end hunger in all its forms by 2030 and to achieve food security. The COVID-19 pandemic has had major adverse effects on the food and agricultural sector and, if current trends continue, the end of 2020 could see an additional 130 million people at risk of suffering acute hunger.
multi-stakeholder partnerships (MSPs) are defined as any collaborative arrangement among stakeholders from two or more different spheres of society (public sector, private sector and/or civil society), pooling their resources together, sharing risks and responsibilities in order to solve a common issue especially malnutrition in all form, to handle a conflict, to elaborate a shared vision, to realize a common objective, to manage a common resource and/or to ensure the protection, production or delivery of an outcome of collective and/or public interest.

There are four basic principles of organic agriculture that endorsed by IFOAM, 2005:

1. Principle of Health.
   Focus on Healthy soil, healthy crops, healthy livestock, and healthy people.
2. Principle of Ecology.
   Focus on Agro-ecology diversity recycling.
3. Principle of Fairness.
   Focus on ecological and social justice fair trade.
4. Principle of Care.
   Focus on precaution.

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SUSS & RASSEA have a meeting to proposed future cooperation and collaboration. The panel was attended by Joyce Tan, Razwana Begum Abdul Rahim, and Lukas Santos from SUSS and Dr. Siti Amanah, Lani Eugenia, Epsi Euriga from RASSEA. SUSS students can be the ambassador of food security. In this matter, RASSEA can guide the student about the subject method, knowledge, what students can do. The format can be creating a model of young ambassadors for several years (it can be two years), the ambassador has the duty, wherever they go, they are looking about agricultural sustainability.

RASSEA commits to advocating for policymakers and contributing to community empowerment. Therefore, we need data, information, evidence (FAO, IFAD, CGIAR) to be aware and industry to share the tool, technology with the farmer. We also need expertise not only ambassadors but also campaigns. At the university level, we can do research, capacity of change. For example, we have NELK from GFRAS, and it is also already in our curriculum. How to put SUSS in RASSEA can be through 1) SUSS student enroll in a summer course, 2) Develop urban farming video, 3) Raise awareness about urban farming, food, lifestyle, decrease waste and innovation in Singapore. As a follow-up, the meeting will be continued by making a written document about the involvement of SUSS in RASSEA and the benefits for the institutions.

RASSEA presented in the Seminar of the 3^rd PAPPI General Assembly Congress: Introduction, competencies needed for extension and RASSEA Strategic Plan

The National Seminar of PAPPI (Indonesian Association of Development Extension Expert), was held on 24^th June 2021 in line with the 3^rd PAPPI General Assembly Congress. In this occasion, Dr Siti Amanah, Chair of the RASSEA (Rural Advisory Services in Southeast Asia) presented an introduction about RASSEA, future competencies for extension and its strategic plan. RASSEA has been developing a strategic relation with PAPPI along its development phase as one of stakeholder organization in the national level who has a common concern in development extension.

Global Context of Extension and Rural Advisory Services

Poverty and hunger remain the most global issue how to permanently end. The World Bank reported that in 2019 more than 10 percent of the world’s population (735.9 million people) were in extreme poverty with an income of less than $1.9 per day. According to UNESCO, at least 14 million children suffer from severe malnutrition and 2 million children die each year from severe malnutrition; Every day, there are 1000 children under the age of 5 years experiencing diarrhea, dysentery and cholera due to water contaminated and inadequate sanitation. Poverty in rural areas is happened to small holder farmers and landless farmers. To reduce the poverty and hunger, the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) recommend to improving agricultural productivity and incomes and promoting better nutritional practices at all levels.

Global, Regional and Sub Regional Networks for Rural Advisory Services

To response to the above situation, GFRAS (Global Forum for Rural Advisory Services) has established in 2009 as an extension organization at the global level with a network platform to seek endeavor to improve the performance of [human] development extension. There are 18 regional and sub-regional extension forums around the world linked to GFRAS. RASSEA is the Sub Regional Network (SRN) forum for Asia Pacific Islands Rural Advisory Services (APIRAS) Network. The concept underlying GFRAS is the Agricultural Innovation System (AIS) that describes the interrelation of various actors who are connected in a multi-actor network to generate, disseminate, and apply knowledge in the form of products, processes, organizations used in social, economic and policy institutions. The central of AIS is the innovation developed relevant to the supply and demand from actors involved in the system.

To contribute to improving the quality of life of farmers/cultivators/fishers/communities, an interlink nested of South East Asia Extension Forum (RASSEA) is established as a space for multi-stakeholders to work together to ensure the availability of professional extension services. Whereas Southeast Asia is an attractive region with relatively high productivity as youth population made of 30% of population, economic growth, socio-cultural aspects, and development policies. RASSEA has potential to support the achievement of SDG1 (eliminate poverty) and SDG2 (no hunger) through learning and capacity development, policy advocacy, collaboration, and knowledge management.  

RASSEA has prepared a strategic plan for 2021-2030 which is divided into four stages: consolidation and strengthening, development, maintenance, and maturation along with development, strengthening internally, externally, and financially. Values ​​of trustworthiness, respect, inclusiveness, pluralism, and cooperation in implementing programs and activities. RASSEA welcomes contribution from the private extension providers, government, civil society organization, donor, international agencies, universities, and investor to work together towards the betterment performance of extension and advisory services.

The New Extensionist as new framework for Capacity Development in Agriculture Innovation System

Extension must be able to collectively play a broad role. This includes developing networks, organizing producers, facilitating access to credit, agricultural infrastructure, post-harvest services, developing platforms for innovation, promoting gender equality, facilitating knowledge and information management, supporting climate change adaptation actions, and dissemination of new knowledge through training and demonstrations. plots. To be able to carry out this role, new capacities are needed at the individual, organizational, and system levels (enabling environment). With new capacities at various levels, extension services can perform as expected. The operationalization of the New Extensionist is outlined in Extension Learning Kits (NELK). There are 13 modules in NELK that can be modified and developed by the user. NELK has been translated into various languages.

Furthermore, investments in human development through educational approaches, including training and collective action programs in extension can improve the quality of life of individuals, families and society at large. For example, a study on investment from the business world, the government, and farmers in improving the quality of cocoa beans show that training in the technical and non-technical aspects of cocoa commodities, as well as group institutional assistance, can improve the ability of more modern farming and women’s confidence (Amanah et al., 2020). Through advocacy and leadership, multi-stakeholders can convergently voice the needs of farmers, women, youth, and the community for the information, innovation, training and support needed to increase productivity and welfare.

Sources:
1. Amanah S, Euriga E, Eugenia L, 2021. RASSEA Strategic Plan 2021-2030. Bogor: IPB Press.
2. Amanah, S. 2021.Meningkatkan Performa Penyuluhan untuk Mengurangi Kelaparan dan Kemiskinan secara Berkelanjutan: Perspektif Internasional (Enhancing Extension Performance to Eliminate Hunger and Poverty Sustainably: International Perspective). Paper presented in National Seminar and the 3rd PAPPI General Assembly Congress. 24 June 2021.
3. Amanah, S., Suprehatin, Iskandar E., Mutiara R., Eugenia, L., 2020. Investing in Lead Farmers and Farmer Groups with Public-Private Producer Partnerships. AHCI Case Study Report.
4. ASEAN.org 2017.ASEAN Potency and Challenge. ASEAN.org.
5. https://rassea.org/
6. https://worldpopulationreview.com/country-rankings/poverty-rate-by-country
7. https://olc.worldbank.org/system/files/AIS%20Sourcebook.pdf
8. https://www.g-fras.org/en/activities/the-new-extensionist.html

Dear Students,

We are pleased to invite you to participate in THE 2nd INTERNATIONAL SUMMER COURSE : Socio Cultural and Gender Aspect in Communication of Community Development.

Organized by the Department of Communication and Community Development Sciences, Faculty of Human Ecology, IPB University.

Virtual Summer Course:
August 11-17, 2021
IPB University, Indonesia

Registration deadline: June 30, 2021

Further information, program, and details on participation are available on the link: https://summercourse.skpm.ipb.ac.id

We look forward to welcoming you

Dear Fellow Researchers & Academicians,

We are pleased to invite you to participate and submit your abstract in THE 2nd INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCE ON RURAL SOCIO-ECONOMIC TRANSFORMATION (RUSET): Agrarian, Ecology, Communication and Community Development Perspectives.

Organized by the Department of Communication and Community Development Sciences, Faculty of Human Ecology, IPB University. Co-hosted by: Asian Rural Sociology Association (ARSA) and the People’s Coalition for Food Sovereignty (KRKP).

Virtual Conference:
14-15 September 2021
IPB University, Indonesia

The RUSET submission deadline is 30 May 2021.

The organizing committee is also thrilled to announce additional components to the 2021 RUSET conference:

Young Scholar Forum (YSF)
YSF is a forum specially made for undergraduate students to disseminate their research to a multi-disciplinary and general audience.

The conference is also open to observers (i.e. non-presenters).

Please register and submit your abstract online through http://ruset.skpm.ipb.ac.id

Selected articles in this conference will be published in the international proceeding index by Web of Science (WoS) and SINTA journals.

We look forward to welcoming you.

Raise a glass to celebrate World Milk Day 2021

We say Cheers’, Mma manu’, Yam sing‚to the parents who make sure there’s always a carton in the fridge, to the hard working dairy farmers, to the organisations who provide dairy supplements to help tackle famine and malnutrition, to the huge network of people who help us to enjoy milk.

As we Raise a Glass to milk, we connect with others and invite them to join the celebration that the goodness represents. It allows us to share the stories about all the goodness of milk and all the people who produce it. It offers a simple, natural way to recognize the people who matter most to us ‚ in our communities, schools and homes.

Back in 2001, somebody decided that the world should take a day to celebrate anything and everything related to milk. They requested that the FAO (the Food and Agriculture Organisations of the United Nations) should put forward a specific day for these festivities they selected June 1st, and the rest his history!

The tradition of celebrating World Milk Day on June 1st came from the fact that many countries were already celebrating World Milk Day on or around this date. A date in late May was originally proposed, but some countries felt that they already had too many holidays around this time. As a result, June 1st became the special day dedicated to milk.

World Milk Day puts a lot of attention on milk and does a great job in publicising activities connected with the milk industry. The fact that many countries around the globe all choose this specific day for World Milk Day shows that milk is a food that is cherished worldwide.

Fruits and vegetables can increase and maintain the immune system. There are some roles of fruits and vegetables for our body. First, fruits and vegetables can fulfill the body’s nutrition and contained a lot of fiber which is important for our body. Then vegetables and fruits are a good source of vitamins for the body. Vitamins and minerals can also increase endurance, where at this time the body’s resistance is very necessary because it is one of the preventions so as not to be exposed to the Covid-19 virus. Fruits and vegetables can ward off free radicals, the last is fruits and vegetables can protect the body from various diseases.

27th May 2021

Jamu Day!

Jamu is well-knowns as traditional medicine from Indonesia. Jamu is made from natural ingredients and has many benefits. Jamu is not only used for medicine but also can used for increase our immune system. So, in this pandemic situation we can consume jamu regularly for strengthen and increase our immune system.

26th May 2021

Happy Vesak Day!