This edition of Palawija News comes at an historic time in the process of global climate change talks. From 7-18 December 2009 thousands will gather in Copenhagen, Denmark, trying yet again to collectively agree on ambitious targets from rich nations as well as commitments from developing nations to reduce greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions. Will a new climate treaty be ready before the expiry of the current Kyoto Protocol which comes to an end in 2012? We'll just have to wait and see.

It is not coincidental that in this edition of Palawija News one of our articles focuses on climate change. In particular, the research looks at the affect a changing climate is having on rice production in Viet Nam. The country achieved remarkable success in increasing production of rice since the early 80s. However, the agriculture sector in general, and rice production specifically, is facing challenges as a result of climate change, including impacts on growth and distribution of farmer incomes, and thus demand for agricultural produce.

Moving from climate change to food security, a second article in this edition deals with a food self-sufficiency village programme called Mapan implemented in two Indonesian villages with distinct agro-ecosystems.

One village is located in a dry land but dry agro-ecosystem (Central South Timor regency in the eastern part of the country) while the other is in a dry land with a fairly wet climate (Ciamis regency in the west). Factors examined were those considered constraints to accelerating the programme's achievement. It is interesting to note the impact of the inclusive, bottom up planning process used to develop an action plan that focused on development of a food security system under two distinct agro-ecosystems.

Please enjoy the other articles Palawija News has to offer this Quarter as well.

As mentioned in last Quarter's Palawija News, CAPSA is making some sweeping changes. One of the first steps being taken is to hold a two-day workshop entitled “Developing an Inclusive Strategic Plan for CAPSA which will be held in Bogor 7-8 December. The workshop will be followed immediately by a one-day meeting of the members of CAPSA's Technical Committee. It is expected the strategic plan generated from these two events will provide the roadmap for CAPSA's activities in the future.

I also want to introduce CAPSA's new Programme Leader R&D, Dr. Edi Basuno, who is on part-time assignment to the Centre from his Bogor-based institute ICASEPS. Dr. Basuno is assisting CAPSA in, among other activities, developing a matrix of national agricultural research centres in the Asia-Pacific region working on issues related to climate change and adaptation.

Finally, good luck to those participating in the Conference of Parties in Copenhagen. The world is watching…and waiting.

LeRoy Hollenbeck