The overall aim of the project “Establishing sustainable solutions to cassava disease in Mainland Southeast Asia” was to enhance smallholder livelihoods and economic development in Mainland SEA by improving the resilience of cassava production systems and value chains by addressing the rapidly evolving disease constraints.
The project involved a multi-pronged strategy that includes breeding, pest and disease surveillance, agronomy, seed systems interventions, and engagement with government institutions and agribusiness.
The term ‘sustainable’ in the project title is multi-dimensional. While the project does seek to develop practices that are environmentally and economically sustainable (or do no harm), the main emphasis is on developing networks, public-private partnerships, and business models that are sustained (where needed) in the absence of the ACIAR funded ‘research project.’
Whist the project seeks to develop strong partnerships with value chain actors, this does not necessarily mean that all activities are likely to be sustained without some external support by government or externally funded development programs. In this respect, the project also aims to demonstrate the balance of public and private sector involvement required to maintain and scale different innovations and procedures in different contexts.
This ACIAR funded project began in late 2019 and will conclude in December 2023. It is an important time to share research outputs and outcomes between the research teams. It is also an important time to reflect on the lessons learnt.
- What were the research outputs and outcomes?
- What activities and partnerships are likely to be continued beyond the life of this or other bilaterally funded projects?
- Is the region better prepared for the incursion of additional novel pathogens?
- What steps need to be taken based to prepare for such an event?
The review of activities, outputs and outcomes will take place over a week, spanning visits to Laos, Cambodia and Vietnam. It will include visits to laboratories, field stations, and farmers’ fields. It will enable interaction with the regional cassava community, industry stakeholders, and cassava farmers.
The participants in the research symposium will come from the core partner institutions of Lao, Cambodia, and Vietnam; aligned partners in Thailand and China; and partners from other ASEAN countries (Indonesia, Malaysia, and the Philippines).
Sustainable cassava disease solutions in Southeast Asia 