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Transboundary Plant Pests and Diseases Capacity-Building Project - Asia Pacific Region

The ASEAN FAW Action Plan (hosted by CSIRO) is undertaking a project for the FAO Regional Asia-Pacific Office (FAO-RAP) to understand the status and needs for trainer-of-trainer (ToT) and farmer training on FAW management, develop some key training and communication materials, as well as identify 1-3 other priority plant pests and diseases for further focus.

Project completion date: April 2023

This page is designed to update stakeholders on opportunities to provide feedback and participate in events.

Webinars:

Hands in the Soil

Healthy foundations for FAW-resilient maize crops
 

24 November 2022

Time: 14:00 

Completed

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FAW training for Farmer Field School - Experiences across Asia-Pacific and the world
 

15 March 2023

Time: 1pm (Singapore/GMT+8)

Completed

Best practice FAW Training of Trainers (ToT) 
 

24 November 2022

Time: 14:00

Completed

Lemon Tree

Management of citrus  diseases and pests in Asia-Pacific 
 

13 April 2023

Time: 3pm (Singapore/GMT+8)

Completed

Webinar 1  explores the critical actions smallholder farmers need to do to best prepare for a healthy and more resilient maize crop at the start of the maize season. Factors such as soil pH, fertiliser use, choice of seeds, and planting practices will be discussed in detail.

 

Webinar 2 draws on experience from across the world, including Asia-Pacific, in running FAW Trainer of Trainer (ToT) courses to share 6 key tips for developing and implementing ToT training courses. 

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Webinar 3 draws on experience from across the world, including Asia-Pacific, in running FAW Farmer Field School (FFS)  to share a range of learnings and resources for those interested in developing and implementing FFS training courses.  Progress of FFS from across the Asia-Pacific region on implementing FFS and ToT programmes for FAW management will be shared.

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Webinars 4 & 5  investigate the citrus greening (HLB) disease and different approaches to its management before discussing different management case studies.

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Video: Ecological Management of FAW in Asia's Farming Systems

Dr Timothy Krupnik from CIMMYT/CGIAR provides a comprehensive presentation on the Ecological Management of Fall Armyworm in Asia's Farming Systems covering Invasion Biology, Ecological Management, and looking across Crop, Field and Landscape Scale management before discussing the toolbox farmers might need. 
 

6 Best Practices for Running Effective Trainer of Trainer Courses on FAW Control

Top tips for successful ToT courses that were shared and discussed in Webinar 1 by Dr Shachi Gurumayum and Dr Joe Huesing as well as other speakers and participants in the audience. 

01.

Selection of the Trainer (who trains other trainers)

Where possible choose to engage a master trainer who has in-field experience, is open-minded, has cultural and gender sensitivity, and is knowledgeable.

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Ideally, a trainer is above all a good  teacher

03.

Content

Content needs to be easy to understand and fit for purpose for the target audience. Use concise, clear and evidence-based information. Further expert supporting materials, such as technical guides, can be provided via the internet for those seeking additional information. Simple, easy-to-follow audio/visuals can be powerful ways to connect.

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Practical and relatable examples should be incorporated wherever possible into training.

05.

Time

Allow sufficient time for your participants to absorb the information and practices they have been taught.  There should be time for participants to demonstrate the learnings back to the facilitator and to other participants to show mastery of the skills. Build in time for last-minute changes and flexibility to react to how the class is progressing. 

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For the initial training consider at least 2-3 days of training.

02.

Selection of Participants (those you are training to become trainers.

Participants should be carefully selected where possible and be farmer-centric trainers who have strong interpersonal skills, are community-based and can gain the respect and trust of farmers 

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Participants who are natural educators, storytellers, and translators in their community make good trainers.

04.

Logistics

Plan well ahead to ensure the smooth running of the event, and ensure you have the tools to teach trainers including a projector (with battery), appropriate hand-outs or links to online training, flip charts, whiteboards, notebooks, pens, etc.

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Locating a good nearby demo farm or plot to demonstrate teaching concepts and IPM practices is important.  Online training will require quality videos that can clearly demonstrate practices in the field.

06.

Continuous learning

Continuous learning is critical. Plan ahead to revisit training opportunities, offer regular refresher courses, and update trainers with new knowledge and tools by communicating on a regular basis.

 

Create opportunities to nurture  ongoing engagement to keep

knowledge fresh and trainers motivated.

Video: Farmer Field School Implementation for FAW Control - Experience Shared by the Philippines.

Video: Farmer Training and Programmes for FAW Control - Experience Shared by CIMMYT in Bangladesh.

Citrus Greening - Huanglongbing (HLB) 

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Citrus greening or Huanglongbing disease was featured in webinars 4 & 5 of our series on the management of transboundary plant pests and diseases.  Experts from across the Asia Pacific and the Caribbean shared their expertise in this introductory session.

An Introduction to Huanglongbing (HLB) or Citrus Greening Disease

Dr Cherie Gambley introduces Huanglongbing disease on citrus including the symptoms, the disease cycle and management as well as new research avenues. 

An Introduction to the Vectors of  Huanglongbing (HLB) or Citrus Greening Disease and Monitoring

Mr Luke Halling, a Biosecurity and Entomology consultant shares his knowledge on how to monitor and manage the HLB and what vectors cause the HLB disease including the transmission process.

Management of Huanglongbing to Safeguard the Future of the Citrus Industry in Australia, China, and Indonesia: Introduction to the ACIAR Project

Jessica Lye, from Citrus Australia, introduces the current research project on Australian collaboration with Indonesia and China on the preparedness and management of Huanglongbing disease. The project focus includes work on HLB-tolerant rootstock, high-density planting, intercropping, ACP trapping, ACP repellent, and extension resources.

A Case Study: Management of HLB disease in Indonesia

​Dr Siti Subandiyah, Professor from the Universitas Gadjah Mada (UGM) shares research on HLB monitoring and management in Indonesia.

Papua New Guinea: 20 years of HLB and ACP surveillance

Dr Richard Davis, a plant pathologist from Northern Australia Quarantine Strategy (NAQS) shares an HLB case study from Papua New Guinea sharing HLB disease management efforts over the last 20 years.

Building the capacity in the Caribbean to monitor and manage Citrus Greening Disease and its vector

Mr Naitram (Bob) Ramnanan, Regional Representative and IAS Coordinator for the CABI Caribbean and Central America office shares the key elements of the strategies to manage and monitor Citrus Greening Disease and its vector in the Caribbean. He also explains the importance of partnerships with countries such as Brazil, which has significant and successful experience in HLB disease management.

Citrus Greening/Huanglongbing Resources

A summary of resources from around the region including manuals, reports, and research can be downloaded here.

More information

If you have any information or ideas on training farmers on FAW management or have any questions, please contact us at  info@aseanfawaction.org

This page is not a publication of the FAO and any information expressed on this page does not seek to represent or imply the expression of any opinion or position whatsoever on behalf of the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO).  

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