Partners Magazine Spring 2006

ISBN: ISSN 1031-1009

Publication number: PMg Spring 06

Publication date: October 06

Summary

ACIAR's work in the Mekong region, including Burma, Cambodia, Laos, Thailand and Vietnam, is profiled in this issue. The focus in on aquaculture, animal health, agricultural policy, capacity building and horticulture. Cambodia, which has a predominantly a rice-based farming system, has two thrusts: to support research that underpins diversifying production beyond rice and to increase the productivity of rice-based farming systems. In Laos research initiatives have been aimed at crop and livestock farming diversification to improve the productivity of agricultural systems. An important focus in both Cambodia and Laos is on capacity development and training, and also on complementing programs by larger donors. In Vietnam the focus in on biosecurity issues, with concern in the region about avian influenza and the value of surveillance and diagnostic systems for pests and diseases.