ESCAP-SCO Side Event of the Commission Session on the theme ‘Enabling Food Systems Transformation through Climate Smart Agri-Innovation’

 ESCAP-SCO Side Event
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As member States of the United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific (ESCAP) gather in Bangkok this week at the Seventy-ninth Session of the Commission to discuss regional cooperation to accelerate climate action, ESCAP and the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) joined hands to put the spotlight on the role of climate smart agri-innovation in transforming food systems. An ESCAP-SCO Side Event of the Commission Session on the theme ‘Enabling Food Systems Transformation through Climate Smart Agri-Innovation’ was co-organized in hybrid format by both partners at the United Nations Conference Centre as well as online on 16 May 2023.

EDD-CSAM CECP Project on Integrated Management of Straw Residue

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The Centre for Sustainable Agricultural Mechanization (CSAM) and the Environment and Development Division (EDD) of United Nations ESCAP implemented a project titled ‘Enabling sustainable and climate-smart agriculture in Cambodia, Indonesia and Nepal through mechanization solutions for integrated management of straw residue and air pollution monitoring’. The project was supported by the China-ESCAP Cooperation Programme (CECP). This video provides an overview of the project activities and results.

Regional Workshop on Combating Air Pollution from Biomass Burning through Mechanization Solutions for Integrated Straw Management

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The Regional Workshop highlighted the importance of sustainable and climate smart approaches to straw residue management in Asia and the Pacific. It also marked the end-of-project event of a two-year project titled ‘Enabling sustainable and climate-smart agriculture in Cambodia, Indonesia and Nepal through mechanization solutions for integrated management of straw residue and air pollution monitoring’ and shared the outcomes and learnings gained. The project was implemented by CSAM and the Environment and Development Division of United Nations ESCAP with financial support from the China-ESCAP Cooperation Programme (CECP).

Workshop on Climate Smart Mechanization for Transforming Agriculture in Arid and Semi-Arid Areas

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The Centre for Sustainable Agricultural Mechanization (CSAM) of the United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific (ESCAP) today co-organized a ‘Workshop on Climate Smart Mechanization for Transforming Agriculture in Arid and Semi-Arid Areas’ in collaboration with the Administrative Committee of Yangling Agricultural High-Tech Industry Demonstration Zone of China, the United Nations World Food Programme China Office, ESCAP’s Sub-regional Office for North and Central Asia (SONCA), as well as the International Poverty Reduction Center in China (IPRCC).

Introduction to Safety Testing at ANTAM Web Training

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Safety is a multidimensional pillar of sustainable agricultural mechanization because it is related to the protection of the environment, of the human workforce in agriculture, and to food security. Lack of safety in agricultural machinery can cause a high social, environmental and economic cost not only to farmer communities but to Governments at large, and for this reason the safety of machinery should be prioritized in agriculture strategies. While agricultural mechanization can play a key role in enabling recovery from shocks and building long-term resilience of farming communities, lack of safety requirements potentially leads to injuries of operators, environmental degradation and poor food security. For instance, while it is self-evident that a machine with rotating components without any protection may cause injuries to limbs, also a simple a sprayer with poor nozzles could cause at scale significant health and environmental damages, potentially leading to high residues of toxic chemicals on crops. It is thus crucial to have a strong understanding of the importance of safety requirements, as well as of the aspects that need to be tested to ensure these requirements are met. The Asian and Pacific Network for Testing of Agricultural Machinery (ANTAM) is an initiative led by ESCAP-CSAM that aims to harmonize testing standards for agricultural machinery in the Asia-Pacific region. This has the ultimate goal of facilitating trade but most importantly promote the use of safe, efficient and environmentally sound agricultural machinery in support of the Sustainable Development Goals. Building on the experience of ANTAM participating countries and partners in the testing of agricultural machinery, CSAM organized a web training to highlight the importance of safety standards and certification policies in food systems at large, and present some specific national and regional policies and testing practices.

Virtual Workshop and Demonstration on Integrated Management of Straw Residue

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A ‘Virtual Workshop and Demonstration on Integrated Management of Straw Residue’ was co-organized by the Centre for Sustainable Agricultural Mechanization (CSAM) of the United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific (ESCAP) and partners in China including the China Institute for Conservation Tillage of China Agricultural University, Qingdao Administration of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, Laixi Administration of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, and Qingdao Zhitao Agricultural Machinery Specialized Cooperative.

Video of the 8th Regional Forum on Sustainable Agricultural Mechanization

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The COVID-19 pandemic has posed a severe threat to food and nutrition security across the Asia-Pacific region and the world. In this context, the 8th Regional Forum on Sustainable Agricultural Mechanization in Asia and the Pacific was organized by the Centre for Sustainable Agricultural Mechanization of the United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific (ESCAP-CSAM) on 11 December 2020 on the theme of “Agriculture Beyond the Covid-19 Pandemic: Building Back Better through Sustainable Agricultural Mechanization”. The 8th Regional Forum was conducted in hybrid mode and comprised of two sessions: a morning session titled ‘Policy Dialogue on China’s Experience in Strengthening Food Systems amid the Response to COVID-19’ held on-site in Beijing and broadcast live online, and an afternoon session titled ‘Discussion Forum on Agriculture Beyond the COVID-19 Pandemic: Building Back Better through Sustainable Agricultural Mechanization’ organized fully online.

Introduction to Safety Testing at ANTAM Web Training

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Safety is a multidimensional pillar of sustainable agricultural mechanization because it is related to the protection of the environment, of the human workforce in agriculture, and to food security. Lack of safety in agricultural machinery can cause a high social, environmental and economic cost not only to farmer communities but to Governments at large, and for this reason the safety of machinery should be prioritized in agriculture strategies. While agricultural mechanization can play a key role in enabling recovery from shocks and building long-term resilience of farming communities, lack of safety requirements potentially leads to injuries of operators, environmental degradation and poor food security. For instance, while it is self-evident that a machine with rotating components without any protection may cause injuries to limbs, also a simple a sprayer with poor nozzles could cause at scale significant health and environmental damages, potentially leading to high residues of toxic chemicals on crops. It is thus crucial to have a strong understanding of the importance of safety requirements, as well as of the aspects that need to be tested to ensure these requirements are met. The Asian and Pacific Network for Testing of Agricultural Machinery (ANTAM) is an initiative led by ESCAP-CSAM that aims to harmonize testing standards for agricultural machinery in the Asia-Pacific region. This has the ultimate goal of facilitating trade but most importantly promote the use of safe, efficient and environmentally sound agricultural machinery in support of the Sustainable Development Goals. Building on the experience of ANTAM participating countries and partners in the testing of agricultural machinery, CSAM organized a web training to highlight the importance of safety standards and certification policies in food systems at large, and present some specific national and regional policies and testing practices.

Virtual Workshop and Demonstration on Integrated Management of Straw Residue

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A ‘Virtual Workshop and Demonstration on Integrated Management of Straw Residue’ was co-organized by the Centre for Sustainable Agricultural Mechanization (CSAM) of the United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific (ESCAP) and partners in China including the China Institute for Conservation Tillage of China Agricultural University, Qingdao Administration of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, Laixi Administration of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, and Qingdao Zhitao Agricultural Machinery Specialized Cooperative. Burning of straw (crop residue or stubble left on the field after harvesting) is a common concern in many countries in Asia and the Pacific. Due to lack of low-cost, effective, and technically feasible approaches to utilize straw, farmers frequently burn the straw in the field which leads to air pollution, adverse impact on public health, environmental degradation as well as agricultural losses resulting from soil impairment.

Online Training Workshop on Climate Smart Mechanization for Dryland Agriculture in Central Asian Countries

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Disclaimer: This audio-visual content is based on the recording of the ‘Online Training Workshop on Climate Smart Mechanization for Dryland Agriculture in Central Asian Countries’ organized on 30th September 2020 by the Centre for Sustainable Agricultural Mechanization, the Administrative Committee of Yangling Agricultural High-Tech Industry Demonstration Zone of China (Yangling Committee), and the World Food Programme. The video editing and translation of the subtitles was performed by Yangling Committee’s technical support partner for the workshop, namely the China Association of Trade in Services. The subtitles have not been formally edited. The statement of views, opinions and estimates expressed are those of the workshop participants and presenters individually and, unless expressly stated, are not necessarily the opinion or position of the United Nations. The United Nations assumes no responsibility for the content, accuracy or completeness of the information or translation contained in the publication. Mention of brand names or commercial products does not imply their endorsement by the United Nations.