Biosecurity under the microscope in South-East Asia

The marvels of modern technology are enabling border inspectors, scientists and farmers in South-East Asia to consult live with experts across the world and identify serious plant pests...

Lao PDRs’ and Cambodia’s plant biosecurity system is very limited, largely due to lack of local expertise, equipment and communication networks. A strong capability in research and diagnostics is a crucial part of protecting agricultural industries from damaging pests, managing borders against pest incursions, and meeting requirements for trade.

Identifying incoming pests and diseases is essential for biosecurity
(image: G. Kong)

Helping researchers to be better communicators

Turn your thinking upside down was the advice to a group of Asian agricultural researchers who took part in a training program to become better communicators in Chiang Mai, Thailand, last week.

“Scientists start with an introduction, then their method, results, and finally outcomes and conclusions,” said trainer Jenni Metcalfe of E-Connect. “But when writing for the media, or even in a policy document, put your key messages up front to capture people’s interest.”

Eighteen people from Pakistan, India, Sri Lanka, Bangladesh, Nepal, Thailand, Vietnam, Indonesia and the Philippines attended the six day Master Class in on Communicating Research to Stakeholders organised by the Crawford Fund at Chiang Mai University.

Dr Chiranjeevi Tallapragada, Chief Economist, Livelihoods and natural resource managment Institute, who is working on an ACIAR climate change adaption project in India (M.Gyles)