RECOMMENDATIONS

The Expert Consultation noted that almost all countries in the Asia-Pacific region have universities and/or related institutes of higher learning with Plant Pest Management Curriculum (PPMC). It also noted that many of the curricula are dissimilar and that these dissimilarities are due in part to unequal priorities accorded to different crop and pest problems, different emphasis given to different technical aspects of plant protection science, unequal allocations of funding support, and different levels of resource capability. The Consultation, convinced that a uniform curriculum will help produce graduates who can take equal advantage of the advances made in plant pest management in the region, therefore recommended that ways and means be developed to reduce such differences in the present PPMC. It also recommended that improvement be made to the teaching methodology of plant pest management at the university level so that graduates can become better equipped to implement effectively farm-level IPM (or Integrated Pest Management) and that large-scale IPM implementation can be successfully achieved in the countries of the region.

In the above context, the Consultation encouraged forming a separate Working Group to discuss in greater depth the issues raised during the Consultation. This Working Group should include members from the academics as well as field implementers with a view to enhance collaboration between teachers and field workers. Such collaboration would ensure effective feedback from the field to support the development of a more practical PPMC. The Consultation therefore recommended the formation of the “Asia-Pacific Working Group on Plant Pest Management Curriculum Development” with the structure and responsibilities as outlined below at the end this section. This Working Group will need to also work between Consultations should more of the latter be considered desirable subsequently.

The Consultation noted that university faculty development should be an important item in the FAO IPM activities, especially for IPM trainers. This may take the form of regular refresher training that should be organized with a view to upgrade skills and knowledge of faculty members. Such refresher training should be carried out in close cooperation with field trainers who have enormous practical field experience and who have made significant advances in the implementation of IPM, e.g. those who have been involved with IPM of rice and vegetables.

The Consultation also noted that there is a need for university faculty members to interact with other resource persons (especially in-country expertise) from all sectors of IPM stakeholders (including agribusiness, others). These resource persons should be encouraged to share their knowledge with faculty members who are involved in plant pest management teaching to provide a more holistic view of the subject.

In addition, the Consultation called for the strengthening of a two-way flow (including collaboration) between universities/research institutes and the farming community. The Consultation recognized that there is often a breakdown between research/teaching and field implementation of plant pest management. To minimize this, the Consultation called for strengthening of the linkages between universities/research institutes and the implementing agencies.

The Consultation noted that the above process of strengthening linkages between the field and classrooms will help produce well-rounded students imbued with facilitating/learning/communicating skills capable and confident in working with farmers.

The Consultation appreciated that farmers often have field experiences based on traditional practices. Therefore, PPMC developers should recognize their potential contributions and should encourage the scientific evaluation of their practices, as part of a research programme to better understand farmers and their pest management practices.

The Consultation agreed that universities should be encouraged to carry out specialized studies in any field of plant pest management and become centres of excellence in the selected fields of studies. The Consultation further agreed that such effort will help strengthen both the curriculum development and networking among universities.

The Consultation noted that many PPMC have not taken note of emerging issues. Hence, the Consultation recommended that there be constant monitoring and review of the existing PPMC in the universities with a view to provide timely upgrades. This is of particular concern as there are rapid advances in IPM in the region.

The Consultation was concerned that revised PPMC often takes a long time to be implemented. Therefore, the Consultation called for efforts to speed up the adoption of any revised curriculum to take advantage of the rapid development in certain topics or fields of studies (e.g. biotechnology, bioinformatics, biodiversity, others).

To encourage co-operation and collaboration between universities in the region, the Consultation urged universities and related institutions with PPMC to place these on the Internet to ensure a wider circulation.

Noting that plant pest management is an important field of plant production and that new advances and developments do emerge from time to time, the Consultation recommended that holding future Consultations be given consideration whenever necessary. Besides other activities, future Consultations could review the progress and achievements of the Working Group, consider possible networking, and develop other follow-up activities.

ASIA-PACIFIC WORKING GROUP ON PLANT PEST MANAGEMENT CURRICULUM DEVELOPMENT

Activities:

1. Set up a national group/committee on PPMCD to identify national needs on development of plant pest management.

2. The WG will examine the existing curricula and courses of various degree programmes of plant pest management and allied sciences and suggest a standard curriculum taking into account:

   1. subject already covered at pre-university level.

   2. ensure emphasis on practical content so as to develop adequate confidence in the minds of graduates for extension activities and self-employment.

3. The WG will suggest guidelines for formulation of post-graduate programmes in terms of course contents (major and minor, research, etc.)

4. Develop co-operative programmes to bridge the gap in areas identified by the national committee/body.

5. Collect, collate and disseminate information on PPMC, courses, and educational development, among the member/co-operating universities and related institutions.

6. Prepare a directory of universities and related institutes conducting plant pest management/plant protection courses in the region.

7. Organize national meetings and workshops/seminars on PPMCD issues. The reports should be transmitted to the WG secretariat at FAO-RAP, Bangkok.

8. Follow up on the recommendations and report to the WG secretariat.

9. Periodic reports to the WG secretariat regarding contributions and overall role of regional and related international organizations/agencies in curriculum development.

(Note: The membership of the WG shall be open to the national and private universities, related institutes, and relevant government agencies involved in agricultural development in member countries).

Initial Activities and Expected Outputs of Working Group