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JOINT
MEMORANDUM OF UNDERSTANDING ON THE ESTABLISHMENT OF AN ASIA SOIL CONSERVATION
NETWORK FOR THE HUMID TROPICS
The
competent Institutions of China, Indonesia, Malaysia, Papua New Guinea,
the Philippines, Thailand and Vietnam, recognising that declining soil
fertility and increasing soil erosion are creating increasing problems
for the small scale farmers of the Humid Tropics in the Asia and Pacific
region, and realizing the mutual advantages to be derived from the effective
and systematic exchange of information and experience as well as mutual
technical cooperation in the development and dissemination of improved
conservation technologies and land use planning approaches for tackling
the problems of soil and water conservation at the small-scale farmer
level; have reached the following understanding on the establishment of
the Asia Soil Conservation Network for the Humid Tropics (ASOCON):
ARTICLE
I - Definitions
For the purposes of this Memorandum of Understanding:
| a) |
"Conservation"
shall mean the conservation of both soil and water; |
| b) |
"Small-scale
farmer" shall mean the farmer and his/her household members engaged
in farming activities on a small-scale basis with the aim of meeting
some or all of the welfare needs of the farm family from crop,
livestock and/or tree production |
| c) |
"Region"
shall mean the humid tropics of Asia and the Pacific; |
| d) |
"Participant"
shall mean a relevant Institution that has signed this Memorandum
of Understanding or has been accepted subsequently in accordance
with Article IV.3; |
| e) |
"ASOCON"
shall mean the Asia Soil Conservation Network for the Humid Tropics;
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| f) |
"Consultative
Board" shall mean the Consultative Board of ASOCON; |
| g) |
"Regional
Co-ordinator" shall mean the Regional Co-ordinator for ASOCON;
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| h) |
"National
Co-ordinator" shall mean the official appointed by a Participant
to take responsibility for coordinating ASOCON activities at the
national level and to represent his Institution on the Consultative
Board of ASOCON; |
3. For the purpose of achieving its objectives ASOCON
may undertake the following activities:
| i) |
The collection,
compilation and dissemination of information concerning the situation
within the region with regard to the severity of the problem of
declining land productivity, the existing national programmes
and activities and the various Government departments, ministries
and institutions and Non Government agencies involved in conservation
programmes at the small-scale farm level. |
| ii) |
Documentation
of successful conservation practices and innovative techniques
(both farmers' traditional practices and research and extension
recommendations) from within the region with a view to technology
transfer. |
| iii) |
Publication
of a newsletter at least 3 times a year to promote ASOCON's activities. |
| iv) |
Preparation
of case studies of past and ongoing conservation projects, traditional
and improved conservation farming practices for the purpose of
subjecting them to environmental, and/or economic and financial
appraisal so as to evaluate the reasons for success or failure
of the projects and conservation effectiveness and adoptability
of the practices. |
| v) |
Organization
of periodic regional workshops and seminars to facilitate the
exchange of experience between subject matter specialists designated
by Participants. |
| vi) |
Implementation
of a series of regional action learning and development programmes
each with its own programme of regional and national level activities
that may include regional workshops, expert consultations, and
training linked with collaborative in country research and development,
extension and training activities. |
| vii) |
Promotion
of inter-country exchange of research and extension staff, and
regional training opportunities on TCDC basis in recognition of
the experience, expertise and resources existing within the region.
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| viii) |
Provision
of advice and training in the preparation, implementation, monitoring
and evaluation of national programmes and projects, principally
those of regional interest, in the field of soil and water conservation.
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| ix) |
Other
activities which are required to achieve the above objectives.. |
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