1. Brochure on APCoAB

The publication provides a brief account of the mission, objectives, activities organised and proposed to be organized.

2. Brainstorming Session on Public-Private-Partnership in Agricultural Biotechnology- Highlights and Recommendations (2005)

The publication provides summary of the proceedings and recommendations of the brainstorming session held on this topic in March 2005. The recommendations relate to policy, human resource development, capacity building and infrastructural needs for accelerating public-private partnership in agricultural biotechnology.

3. Commercialization of Bt Corn in the Philippines: A Status Report (2005)

The report gives a detailed account of development, regulatory testing, release, commercialization and adoption of transgenic corn in the Philippines based on R&D initiative of the national program. It also highlights the emerging issues and concerns expressed regarding field cultivation of Bt corn in the Philippines.

4. Bt Cotton in India- A Status Report (2006)

The report traces the events that led to commercialization of Bt cotton in India, adoption of Bt hybrids in cotton growing zones, performance of commercialized hybrids under experimental and farm managed conditions, and economic benefits realized from the adoption of Bt technology in India. Based on the experiences gained, strategies have been suggested for achieving improved pest resistance in cotton, revised protocols for large-scale field trials, and better economic benefits especially to small and marginal farmers.

5. Workshop on “Biosafety Regulations for Transgenic Crops and the need for Harmonizing them in the Asia-Pacific Region”- Highlights and Recommendations (2006)

The publication, besides giving a summary of the workshop proceedings, provides information on biotechnology and regulatory adoption status of the participating countries, and recommendations on harmonization of regulations, capacity building, and future strategies for strengthening biosafety regulatory systems in the region.

6.  Brainstorming Session on Models of Public-Private-Partnership in Agricultural Biotechnology- Highlights and Recommendations (2007)

This publication summarizes the proceedings of brainstorming session held on this topic by APCoAB in April 2007. Besides a general recommendation on the need to expand inter-sectoral partnerships for transferring the benefits of agricultural biotechnology to farmers and other stakeholders, the publication details specific recommendations on (i) Models of Public-Private-Partnership (PPP), (ii) Policy Support to PPPs, and (iii) Capacity Building.

7. Tissue Culture Innovations for Production of Quality Potato Seed in Asia-Pacific Region (2007)

The publication provides detailed information on techniques of producing virus-free potato explants, their rapid multiplication using in vitro methods, and microtuber and minituber production. Methods of integrating micropropagation with conventional potato seed production are suggested. Success stories of quality potato seed production using micropropagation in some Asia-Pacific countries have been detailed.

8. Micropropagation for Quality Seed Production in Sugarcane in Asia and the Pacific (2008)

The publication provides step-by-step protocol for production of disease free planting material in sugarcane using meristem tip culture method. Field multiplication of in vitro seedlings aimed at reducing their cost paid by the farmers is also detailed. Success stories of in vitro sugarcane propagation in India, Australia and the Philippines are recounted.

9.  Biosafety Regulations of Asia-Pacific Countries (2008)

The publication lists and briefly details the regulatory instruments comprising laws/acts/decrees/ regulations/rules related to biosafety of products of biotechnology for agriculture and food existing in 39 countries of Asia and the Pacific. Besides, additional chapters have been included on recent developments in agriculture biotechnology in the region, issues on biosafety, and international regulatory instruments on biosafety. A brief analysis of the present status of national biosafety regulations with respect to the Cartegena Protocol on Biosafety has also been included.

10.  Production and Cultivation of Virus-Free Citrus Saplings for Citrus Rehabilitation in Taiwan (2008)

This publication details the methodologies for diagnosis and indexing of four important diseases of citrus: Citrus greening, Citrus tristeza, Citrus tatter leaf and Citrus exocortis. Techniques of Shoot Tip Micrografting along with establishment of pathogen-free foundation block have been provided. The final chapter deals with the health management of citrus seedlings in the field.

11.  Expert Consultation on Agricultural Biotechnology for Promotion of Food Security in Developing Countries - Proceedings (2008)

The publication details the proceedings of Expert Consultation held in collaboration with Malaysian Agricultural Research Institute in Malaysia during 20 - 22 August 2008. It includes chapters: 1. Rationale and Objective of Expert Consultation; 2. Opening Session; 3. Session IA: Status of Agricultural Biotechnology Research and Application–Global Developments; 4. Session IB: Status of Agricultural Biotechnology Research and Application– Country Reports; 5. Session II: Technical Sessions: Biotechnology Applications; 6. Session III: Global and Regional Partnerships in Agricultural Biotechnology; 7. Session IV: Issues in Adoption and Commercialization of Agricultural Biotechnology– Panel Discussion, 8. Breakout Group Discussion and Recommendations on Addressing Issues through Country and Regional Initiatives; and 9. Session VI: Plenary Session– Group Recommendations and General Recommendations.

12. Bt Cotton in India- A Status Report (Second Edition) (2009)

The first Status Report on Bt Cotton in India was publised in 2006, when 40 Bt hybrids were being cultivated on an area of 1.26 million hectares. Besides tracing the development of Bt hybrids and their adoption by Indian farmers, the report highlighted issues that needed to be addressed to effectively harness the benefits that Bt technology promised. The report traces the events that led to commercialization of Bt cotton in India, adoption of Bt hybrids in cotton growing zones, performance of commercialized hybrids under experimental and farm managed conditions, and economic benefits realized from the adoption of Bt technology in India. Based on the experiences gained, strategies have been suggested for achieving improved pest resistance in cotton, revised protocols for large-scale field trials, and better economic benefits especially to small and marginal farmers.

14. “HHB 67-Improved”- The first product of marker-assisted crop breeding in India (2010)

HHB 67, released in 1990 through the All India Coordinated Pearl Millet Improvement Project (AICPMIP) of the Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR) is a highly popular single-cross pearl millet hybrid grown on over 500,000 ha in Haryana and Rajasthan. ICAR in partnership with the International Crops Research Institute for Semi-Arid Tropics (ICRISAT) adopted marker-assisted selection technology to accelerate the incorporation of additional DM resistance into the background of popular hybrid HHB 67. After three years of testing in national trials, the Haryana State Varietal Release Committee on 14 Jan 2005 approved the release of this improved version of hybrid HHB 67 for cultivation in Haryana. This hybrid, “HHB 67-Improved”, was approved by the ICAR Central Plant Variety Release Committee on 29 June 2005, and the same was released at All India level in July 2005.

15. Asia-Pacific Session Issue Paper entitled "Harnessing biotechnologies for food security in the Asia-Pacific Region" (2010)

Prepared by APAARI for the FAO conference "Agricultural biotechnologies in developing countries: Options and opportunities in crops, forestry, livestock, fisheries and agro-industry to face the challenges of food insecurity and climate change" (ABDC-10), being held in Guadalajara, Mexico, 1 – 4 March 2010.

16. Expert Consultation on Biopesticides and Biofertilizers for Sustainable Development (2010)

Asia Pacific Association of Agricultural Research Institutions (APAARI) in collaboration with the Council of Agriculture, Taipei organized an expert consultation on “Biopesticides and Biofertilizers for Sustainable Agriculture” in Taichung, Chinese Taipei from 27 to 29 October 2009.The main aim was to review the current status of research, development and use of these bioinputs in agriculture, develop better understanding on their use in the conventional production systems and develop a strategy for addressing critical issues such as policy support, quality control, regulatory management and public-private participation. The meeting evoked excellent response with seventy-two participants from 23 countries representing NARS, CG centers, other academic institutions, private sector, CSOs and farmer organizations.

OTHER PUBLICATIONS

• Publications of APAARI