3rd CURE SC Meeting Working Group Leaders, Key Site Coordinators, and satellite site designations
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Dr. S.G. Sharma and Dr. D.P. Singh of the Central Rice Research Institute (CRRI) have been identified as the Working Group Leader and Key Site Coordinator, respectively, for the salt-affect lowlands site in Cuttack, India.
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Dr. Varapong Chamarerk of the Ubon Rice Research Center was identified as the new Key Site Coordinator for drought-prone lowlands of WG1 in Ubon, Thailand.
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In a recent WG4 meeting, Dr. Khamla Phanthaboon was identified as the Key Site Coordinator for the sloping uplands site in Luang Prabang, Laos.For WG5, the Key Site Coordinator is Dr. Mukund Variar while Dr. P.K. Sinha is the Working Group Leader.
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The Soc Trang, Vietnam, satellite site was moved to the salt-affected lowlands working group.
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The Central Soil Salinity Research Institute (CSSRI) was considered as a satellite site for WG3. Admission of new members
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The steering committee formally accepted the membership of Cambodia, Myanmar, and Nepal into CURE. New members work initially as satellite sites.
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The new SC members offered to be involved in the following sites:
Special project funding
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CURE has recently concluded several workshops for the following special projects with approved and prospective funding:
CURE reporting system
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The Steering Committee meeting is a venue for discussion of the major issues.
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Detailed written reports of the WGs about technical matters should be submitted to the SC before the annual meeting.
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There should be a standard outline of reports to the steering committee with focus on:
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major highlights of achievements; the objectives and expected outputs with reference to the logframe, illustrated with pictures
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likely impacts (i.e. significant accomplishments with potential for impact to farmers)
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constraints
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issues for the attention/action of the SC
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future WG work plans to be endorsed at the NARES level Conceptualization and promotion of CURE
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CURE will develop a model/diagram showing the new modality of research involving the working relationships and partnerships with NARES and key partners
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CURE will produce a brochure showing the model/diagram, the CURE vision statement, objectives, organizational charts, definition of key sites, and other vital information about CURE.
Role/Mode of Collaboration with ARIs as Key Partners of CURE
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Advanced Research Institutes (ARIs) or Centres of Excellence are organizations tht have the sufficient expertise and infrastructure in the area domain of agricultural R&D
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ARIs may become key partners of CURE upon writing a formal letter expressing their interest signed by the Head of organization addressed to the Chairman of the CURE Steering Committee. The admission may be formalized by a Memorandum of Understanding.
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The criteria for key partners:
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Agree to and committed to contributing to the mission and the agenda of CURE.
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Is an internationally recognized center of excellence in agricultural research and development with relevant expertise in the areas of concern of CURE.
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Actively involved in common areas of R&D of CURE.
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Willing to work at the common sites of the CURE Working Groups.
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Should bring in additional resources to complement CURE activities.
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The roles of key partners:
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Contribute to the research agenda of CURE.
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Provide relevant scientific and technical support and expertise.
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Fill the technical gaps that the CURE members may lack.
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Advocate and promote CURE in the international community.
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Assist in seeking resource support for CURE.
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The responsibilities of key partners:
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To participate in the Working Groups of CURE.
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To attend the Steering Committee meetings.
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To be involved in organizing and/or sponsoring CURE conferences and workshops.
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To develop project proposals jointly with the working groups for funding CURE activities.
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To implement projects under the umbrella of CURE.
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To keep the knowledge/product(s) generated under the public domain for use of CURE members. Working Group names and proposed merging
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Table below shows the suggested names of working groups as used in ADB-CURE documents.
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Instead of merging, working groups should closely collaborate with each other. The present grouping allows each working group to be more focused on the ecosystem.
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Joint meetings are encouraged because many IRRI scientists work in several WGs and incur high transaction costs in travel to sites.
Criteria for site selection, particularly saline areas
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The steering committee approved the criteria for site selection of saline areas as proposed:
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Coastal saline-prone
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EC 3 – 12 dS/m
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Exchangeable sodium percentage (ESP)<15
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Dynamics: EC is high in dry season and early wet season and decrease during the monsoon season
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Sodic/Alkaline
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pH 8.5 - 11.0
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(ESP) normally exceeds 15
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Sites meet the criteria set by the CURE SC for site selection:
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Accessibility
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Potential for impact
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Representative of the sub-ecosystem
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Characterized by available data and past research
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Allows integration of crop and NRM, of biological and socio-economic research
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Convenient for critical mass of WG scientists
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Has broad-based relationships with stakeholders
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Can be used for research and outreach
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Has potential for other applications by CURE Cure management
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Dr. Mahabub Hossain will replace Dr. Tom Mew as CURE Coordinator.
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Dr. Suthep Limthongkul will serve as the new SC Chairman. His term begins immediately after the Third SC Meeting and ends immediately after the Fourth SC Meeting. Next SC meeting, host
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The SC selected Indonesia to be the venue of the next meeting.
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SC Member, Dr. Djoko Damardjati, Director of the Indonesian Center for Good Crops Research and Development (ICFORD) has accepted to host the next steering committee meeting in 2005.  |
