Working Group on Agriculture

	Components
p. 3 of 5 BACK | NEXT Component 1: Facilitating Cross-Border Agricultural Trade and Investment Component 2: Promoting Public-Private Partnerships for Sharing Agricultural Information Component 3: Enhancing Capacity in Agricultural Science and Technology Component 4: Establishing Emergency Response Mechanisms for Agricultural and Natural Resource Crises Component 5: Strengthening Institutional Linkages and Mechanisms for Cooperation

Enhancing Capacity in Agricultural Science and Technology

• Because the GMS is still primarily agrarian, enhancing the quality of human resources in the agriculture sector is crucial to accelerating broad-based economic growth. A recent assessment of agricultural training needs in the GMS highlighted the need to strengthen capabilities for improving the productivity and quality of high-value crops and animals and sustainable use and safe transfer of agro-biotechnology.
• This component will promote rural renewable energy sources, particularly through demonstration and training in the use of biogas and biofuel technology. It will continue to support advanced science and technology undertakings in biotechnology and biofuels to improve farming systems and enhance associated value chains.
• Through regional initiatives in research, training, and extension, this component will also mobilize resources to encourage the development of regional institutions as centers for excellence or centers of development. These centers will host visiting experts from GMS countries and other regions for collaborative undertakings and to provide resource persons in training programs. Such centers will also serve as venues for study tours and farmers’ visits.