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Bridging the Gap between "Know-How" and "Do-How"
Calling for “an ever-Green Revolution,” Professor M.S. Swaminathan outlined a five-step program to achieve agricultural renewal in the developing world at a recent event in Tokyo, Japan. This was the central message of his presentation on recent trends and challenges in agricultural research for development, which he offered at a gathering with a group of about 40 people on 13 March, 2006. Participants included young Japanese researchers and others from government, the private sector, and academia.
The event was co-hosted by the World Bank Public Information Center in Tokyo (PIC Tokyo), the Japan International Research Center for Agricultural Sciences (JIRCAS), and the Consultative Group on International Agricultural Research (CGIAR).
One of the key steps required for renewal, said Swaminathan, is the development of technology to “bridge the know-how and do-how gap.” Others are to enhance soil health, improve supplies of irrigation water, provide credit and insurance, and promote “farmer-friendly” markets.
Greatly admired for his unique contributions to the Green Revolution, Swaminathan is a winner of the World Food Prize and the Ramon Magsayasay Award for Community Leadership.
The event was introduced by Yukio Yoshimura, World Bank Vice-President and Special Representative in Japan. Koichi Omori, Communications Officer in the World Bank’s Tokyo Office, read a message from Francisco Reifschneider, CGIAR Director, underscoring the importance of the Japan-CGIAR partnership for sustaining the pace of agricultural technology development.
Young Japanese researchers have a vital role to play in this work. To help tap their potential, the Japan-CGIAR partnership features a fellowship program, which advances the professional development of young Japanese scientists wishing to undertake research in collaboration with CGIAR Centers. Among the participants in this program attending the event were Makiko Harada, who did research at ICRISAT in India during 2005 and Miyuki Liyama, who worked at ILRI in Kenya during the same year.
A Photo Panel Exhibit titled "For Future of the Earth: Importance of Agricultural Research" is currently being held at PIC Tokyo from March 13 to 24, 2006, co-organized by JIRCAS, CGIAR and PIC Tokyo.
Professor M.S. Swaminathan, Chair M.S. Swaminathan Research Foundation during his presentation |
Young Japanese researchers during the Coffee Hour |
Young Japanese researchers during the Coffee Hour |
CGIAR posters at World Bank Public Information Center in Tokyo |
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