South east Asian and south Pacific forage research program

• University of the Philippines at Los Banos, Philippines
• Kasetsart University, Thailand
• Universiti Pertanian Malaysia, Malaysia
• Malaysian Agricultural Research and Development Institute, Malaysia
• Khon Kaen University, Thailand
• Institut Pertanian Bogor, Indonesia
• Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forests, Fiji
• Udayana University, Indonesia
• Balai Penelitian Ternak, Indonesia
• Gajah Mada University, Indonesia

Southeast Asian and western Pacific countries have shared a growing interest in pasture and forage production and its utilisation by ruminants. Consequently, scientists and research centres active in these fields have increased in number, but have been handicapped by lack of regular access to information on new developments and of opportunities to discuss problems of mutual interest.

In 1984, ADAB and ACIAR jointly commissioned a feasibility study to assess pasture and forage research in the Philippines, Thailand, Malaysia, Indonesia and Fiji, and the need to establish a regional forage research network. (Other Pacific islands, with no identifiable forage research programs, would be included in the seeds distribution and communication activities and encouraged to participate in developing regional interaction.) The selected countries have a wide range of climatic diversity: mean annual rainfall ranges from 570 to 7000 mm. Nevertheless, similarities do occur - central and eastern Indonesia, northeast Thailand and the western parts of Luzon and Visayas in the Philippines share distinct wet and dry seasons, while west Indonesia, southwest Thailand, Malaysia, Fiji, and eastern parts of the Philippines have a short dry season (2-3 months) or no rainless period. Many common soils occur throughout the region also, and similar soil chemical and physical attributes are widespread. Thus, results from location-specific research can have relevance to a much larger area. A major constraint to utilising this knowledge is lack of access to these results and of communication between scientists and extension workers.

Three major areas of research for improving forage production are common to all the countries: backyard or smallholder farming systems; extensive native pastures; and use of forage in inter-cropping systems, including plantation crops.

This project, sponsored jointly by ADAB and ACIAR, seeks to catalyse research in pasture and forage production and utilisation, to support research planning and execution, to assist in publication of results and to aid dissemination of this information to other scientists and extension services within the region. It will absorb the present Pasture Seeds Distribution Project funded by ADAB and operated through the CSIRO Division of Tropical Crops and Pastures. A computer-based system will record and supply information for both projects, to mutual advantage.

All the countries have difficulties in problem definition and in developing systematic research programs for problem solution. Research appears too discipline-oriented, and the project will encourage in-country discussions between those involved in setting research priorities and scientists from different disciplines who could contribute to research programs. It will also encourage collaboration within and between institutes.

Improvements to technological capacity will come through four approaches. Support will include: assistance with choice of experimental design and techniques, and with data analysis and interpretation and publication of results; training programs and instruction booklets for technicians; removal of constraints imposed by lack of small items of equipment; and visits by specialist consultants.

To aid communication between scientists, the project will establish a data base, a newsletter and annual workshops. The data base will contain a listing of scientists with their locations and research activities, a record of literature published from within the region and the proceedings of workshops and conferences. The newsletter will contain abstracts of published literature, technical information, results of work in progress and publication of research not readily accepted by scientific journals.

Communication between researchers, extension workers and farmers will also be fostered. Inclusion of extension workers in the annual workshops can help this, and also research discussions at the local level. The project will provide senior extension officers with reports on research and its results in 'layman's' terms.

Rationalisation of research on a regional basis is a longer-term goal. However, in some areas, such as seed production, the project will encourage research in the country with greatest expertise and experience as a regional program. It will also provide an umbrella for publicising research results from ACIAR forage projects in the region.