THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: In a bid to create awareness on scientific research and technology development, the Department of Science and Industrial Research (DSIR) will organise a series of workshops across the country.In the State, the event will be hosted by the Kerala State Industrial Development Corporation (KSIDC) in association with the Kerala State Council for Science, Technology & Environment (KSCSTE).
To open up new avenues to the prospective entrepreneurs, representatives from industry and trade, academicians, researchers, consultants, government and Public Sector Undertakings and the KSIDC will jointly organise a one-day workshop and exhibition on technology development, utilisation and transfer at the Avenue Centre, Panampilly Nagar, Kochi on February 13.No registration fee is required. Those interested can register their names with A.C.Rajan, Deputy General Manager, KSIDC, Thiruvananthapuram. Phone number 0471-2318922. E-mail:acrajan@ksidcmail.org.
www.newindpress.com
Friday, February 03, 2006
Revitalising agriculture technology system in Bangladesh
Email this article Printer friendly page Access News PhotosHigher agricultural productivity is an important component of the rural development strategy for raising farm income; reducing poverty and making Bangladeshi agriculture more competitive in the global market?, states the World Bank report titled ?Revitalizing Agricultural Technology System in Bangladesh?.
The study is based on detailed analysis and extensive consultations with various stakeholders, including researchers, scientists, extension specialists, NGOs, agro-processing enterprises, farmers and government officials. Agriculture is broadly defined to include crops, horticulture, livestock and fisheries.Aided by the research of several national and international agricultural research institutions, Bangladesh achieved self-sufficiency in food, particularly rice - a major milestone in reducing poverty in the country. This was made possible by the ?green revolution? technology. The current agricultural technology system of Bangladesh, however, is unable to effectively generate, transfer and promote the use of modern technology to increase agricultural productivity and meet the changing needs of farmers.A dynamic agricultural technology system is vital to ensure national food security and reduce poverty in the face of declining agricultural land base and increasing population. However, the continuing recent trend in agricultural research and extension will have a detrimental impact on the agricultural sector.
Among the barriers to an effective national agricultural technology system are: · Low levels of government spending on agricultural research;· Institutional constraints and the inability of agricultural research institutes to generate relevant modern technologies; and · The inability of agricultural extension system to transfer relevant technologies to farmers, particularly small and marginal farmers.Public expenditure on agricultural research is not only low by international standards but it has declined in the last several years. At present, government expenditure on agricultural research is only about 0.2% of Agricultural GDP, compared to 0.62% for other developing countries and 2.80% for developed countries as a group.
Although aggregate spending on agricultural research and extension has increased slightly in the last 3-4 years, it is mostly due to an increase in spending on agricultural extension (i.e., the transfer of technology to farmers).Public expenditure on agricultural extension is not only relatively high but has also been increasing over time. For example, the share of public expenditure on agricultural extension has increased from 74% in 1997/98 to almost 83% in 2004/05 in total public expenditure on agricultural research and extension.
Partly this is due to a large number of agricultural projects that are being implemented by the agricultural extension departments. In other words, substantial amount of resources are used to implement the projects rather than for providing agricultural extension to farmers. Public expenditure on real agricultural extension needs to be increased to promote productive and competitive agriculture in Bangladesh.The wide range of recommendations in the study include areas for institutional reforms of the national agricultural research and extension system, ways to increase funding and exploring opportunities for growth of commercial high value agricultural products (such as fruits, vegetables, fish and poultry). As far as the national agricultural research system (NARS) is concerned, the World Bank has proposed the following reforms that will strengthen the system to address the emerging challenges in the global context. These are: (i) Promoting institutional Reforms for Enhanced System Efficiency; (ii) Augmenting Research Funding; and (iii) Strengthening Research Management.
Promoting Institutional Reforms for Enhanced System Efficiency: Three options have been proposed in the report to enact institutional changes for greater autonomy of NARS, sustainability of funding and enhance relevance of research. Each option has its own pros and cons and should be weighed by the government before implementation. The report also recommends the need to rationalize research institutes, stations and sub-stations.Augmenting Research Funding: The report proposes increase of spending on agricultural research to 0.6% of Agricultural GDP. In addition, the report proposes the implementation of Competitive Grants Program (CGP) to finance short to medium term research as well as to diversify funding sources. Strengthening Research Management: The study stresses on the need to prioritize agriculture research and re-evaluate existing research plans by taking into account government policies, particularly the PRSP. The study proposes that ministries should examine ways of enhancing access to new sciences (including information technology and biotechnology) crucial for achieving competitiveness in the global market.As far as the national agricultural extension system is concerned, the World Bank has proposed the following reforms that will strengthen the system in Bangladesh. These are (i) augmenting funding of extension services; (ii) strengthening extension management; and (iii) promoting institutional reforms. Augmenting Funding of Extension Services: The report proposes the need to increase funding for real agricultural extension (particularly operational funds); to improve cost-effectiveness of the public expenditure; to diversify sources of funding; and to enhance financial sustainability. Strengthening Extension Management: The study underlines the need to mainstream innovation already pilot tasted; to improve relevance of extension interventions; and to improve research-extension-farmer linkages. Promoting Institutional Reforms: The report recommends the need to strengthen decentralized pluralistic institutional structure of extension receive providers; to enhance organizational efficiency; to expand the scope and coverage of the extension service; and to give high priority to human resource.
management.Finally, the analysis clearly demonstrates that the role of high value agriculture (fruits, vegetable, fisheries and livestock products) is expanding both as a share of the consumer income spent on these products as well as a share of agricultural GDP.However, growth in high value agriculture is being constrained by lack of locally adapted production technologies, poor post-harvest management practices, inadequate market access to farmers, poor infrastructure, limited private sector investment in agro-processing and low food quality and safety standards as compared to the international standards. These issues need to be addressed on an urgent basis to add value, increase farm income and reduce rural poverty in Bangladesh.
nation.ittefaq.com
The study is based on detailed analysis and extensive consultations with various stakeholders, including researchers, scientists, extension specialists, NGOs, agro-processing enterprises, farmers and government officials. Agriculture is broadly defined to include crops, horticulture, livestock and fisheries.Aided by the research of several national and international agricultural research institutions, Bangladesh achieved self-sufficiency in food, particularly rice - a major milestone in reducing poverty in the country. This was made possible by the ?green revolution? technology. The current agricultural technology system of Bangladesh, however, is unable to effectively generate, transfer and promote the use of modern technology to increase agricultural productivity and meet the changing needs of farmers.A dynamic agricultural technology system is vital to ensure national food security and reduce poverty in the face of declining agricultural land base and increasing population. However, the continuing recent trend in agricultural research and extension will have a detrimental impact on the agricultural sector.
Among the barriers to an effective national agricultural technology system are: · Low levels of government spending on agricultural research;· Institutional constraints and the inability of agricultural research institutes to generate relevant modern technologies; and · The inability of agricultural extension system to transfer relevant technologies to farmers, particularly small and marginal farmers.Public expenditure on agricultural research is not only low by international standards but it has declined in the last several years. At present, government expenditure on agricultural research is only about 0.2% of Agricultural GDP, compared to 0.62% for other developing countries and 2.80% for developed countries as a group.
Although aggregate spending on agricultural research and extension has increased slightly in the last 3-4 years, it is mostly due to an increase in spending on agricultural extension (i.e., the transfer of technology to farmers).Public expenditure on agricultural extension is not only relatively high but has also been increasing over time. For example, the share of public expenditure on agricultural extension has increased from 74% in 1997/98 to almost 83% in 2004/05 in total public expenditure on agricultural research and extension.
Partly this is due to a large number of agricultural projects that are being implemented by the agricultural extension departments. In other words, substantial amount of resources are used to implement the projects rather than for providing agricultural extension to farmers. Public expenditure on real agricultural extension needs to be increased to promote productive and competitive agriculture in Bangladesh.The wide range of recommendations in the study include areas for institutional reforms of the national agricultural research and extension system, ways to increase funding and exploring opportunities for growth of commercial high value agricultural products (such as fruits, vegetables, fish and poultry). As far as the national agricultural research system (NARS) is concerned, the World Bank has proposed the following reforms that will strengthen the system to address the emerging challenges in the global context. These are: (i) Promoting institutional Reforms for Enhanced System Efficiency; (ii) Augmenting Research Funding; and (iii) Strengthening Research Management.
Promoting Institutional Reforms for Enhanced System Efficiency: Three options have been proposed in the report to enact institutional changes for greater autonomy of NARS, sustainability of funding and enhance relevance of research. Each option has its own pros and cons and should be weighed by the government before implementation. The report also recommends the need to rationalize research institutes, stations and sub-stations.Augmenting Research Funding: The report proposes increase of spending on agricultural research to 0.6% of Agricultural GDP. In addition, the report proposes the implementation of Competitive Grants Program (CGP) to finance short to medium term research as well as to diversify funding sources. Strengthening Research Management: The study stresses on the need to prioritize agriculture research and re-evaluate existing research plans by taking into account government policies, particularly the PRSP. The study proposes that ministries should examine ways of enhancing access to new sciences (including information technology and biotechnology) crucial for achieving competitiveness in the global market.As far as the national agricultural extension system is concerned, the World Bank has proposed the following reforms that will strengthen the system in Bangladesh. These are (i) augmenting funding of extension services; (ii) strengthening extension management; and (iii) promoting institutional reforms. Augmenting Funding of Extension Services: The report proposes the need to increase funding for real agricultural extension (particularly operational funds); to improve cost-effectiveness of the public expenditure; to diversify sources of funding; and to enhance financial sustainability. Strengthening Extension Management: The study underlines the need to mainstream innovation already pilot tasted; to improve relevance of extension interventions; and to improve research-extension-farmer linkages. Promoting Institutional Reforms: The report recommends the need to strengthen decentralized pluralistic institutional structure of extension receive providers; to enhance organizational efficiency; to expand the scope and coverage of the extension service; and to give high priority to human resource.
management.Finally, the analysis clearly demonstrates that the role of high value agriculture (fruits, vegetable, fisheries and livestock products) is expanding both as a share of the consumer income spent on these products as well as a share of agricultural GDP.However, growth in high value agriculture is being constrained by lack of locally adapted production technologies, poor post-harvest management practices, inadequate market access to farmers, poor infrastructure, limited private sector investment in agro-processing and low food quality and safety standards as compared to the international standards. These issues need to be addressed on an urgent basis to add value, increase farm income and reduce rural poverty in Bangladesh.
nation.ittefaq.com
Thursday, February 02, 2006
Horizon seals EquIP Technology deal
Horizon Technology Group has completed the €15.5m acquisition of EquIP Technology and placed more than seven million new ordinary shares with institutional investors.UK-based EquIP specialises in the enterprise security and IP networking market.
In its last set of audited results for the eight months to October 31 last year, Equip had revenues of €24.8m and profit before tax of €1.2m. Some €11.8m of the €15.5m acquisition is payable when it is completed. The balance is to be paid during the following year. Horizon says that the acquisition will be funded through a combination of the placing and bank debt.
breakingnews.iol.ie
In its last set of audited results for the eight months to October 31 last year, Equip had revenues of €24.8m and profit before tax of €1.2m. Some €11.8m of the €15.5m acquisition is payable when it is completed. The balance is to be paid during the following year. Horizon says that the acquisition will be funded through a combination of the placing and bank debt.
breakingnews.iol.ie
Thomson adds chief technology and operations officer
STAMFORD, Conn. (CP) - The Thomson Corp. (TSX:TOC) is expanding its executive suite with two newly created titles.
The 40,000-employee provider of specialist information said Thursday that Michael Wilens has been named executive vice-president and corporate chief technology and operations officer.
Richard Benson-Armer becomes senior vice-president and chief strategy officer.
Both will be on the executive committee and will report to Thomson president and CEO Richard Harrington.
"The creation of these positions signifies an important step in the ongoing evolution of Thomson," Harrington stated.
"As we continue to leverage our resources across the corporation and explore new growth opportunities it is essential to have people of this calibre and background leading our efforts."
Wilens, 52, has been with Thomson for almost 11 years, most recently as president of Thomson Legal & Regulatory's North American legal organization.
Benson-Armer, 42, joined Thomson in 2004 from McKinsey & Co., and was senior vice-president of strategic planning and business development for Thomson Learning.
www.canada.com
The 40,000-employee provider of specialist information said Thursday that Michael Wilens has been named executive vice-president and corporate chief technology and operations officer.
Richard Benson-Armer becomes senior vice-president and chief strategy officer.
Both will be on the executive committee and will report to Thomson president and CEO Richard Harrington.
"The creation of these positions signifies an important step in the ongoing evolution of Thomson," Harrington stated.
"As we continue to leverage our resources across the corporation and explore new growth opportunities it is essential to have people of this calibre and background leading our efforts."
Wilens, 52, has been with Thomson for almost 11 years, most recently as president of Thomson Legal & Regulatory's North American legal organization.
Benson-Armer, 42, joined Thomson in 2004 from McKinsey & Co., and was senior vice-president of strategic planning and business development for Thomson Learning.
www.canada.com
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