From ACIARDear ColleaguesRSR’s showcase event in Phnom Penh — ‘A Policy Dialogue on Rice Futures: Rice-based Farming Systems Research in the Mekong Region’ — is just around the corner (7–9 May). Australia’s Ambassador to Cambodia, H E Ms Alison Burrows, has agreed to officially open the event. We’ve had a strong show of interest with acceptances from most invited speakers and guest panellists. The combination of researchers and influential regional policy-makers is anticipated to generate stimulating conversations and to spark new ideas. Review processes associated with the Policy Dialogue for both papers and slide presentations are outlined under Headline Stories, so authors and presenters are encouraged to read these carefully. Although the RSR program’s formal date of conclusion is 30 June 2014, three projects will continue until around the end of the calendar year (Project 2 – Improved Germplasm; Project 4 – Improved Irrigation Water Management; and Project 5 – Short Duration Pulses). RSR’s Steering Committee will consider the benefits of extending the current series of progress reports (2011, 2012 and 2013) to capture outputs and outcomes for 2014. The next issue of RSR eNews, which is due in June, will be the final one and will focus on the outcomes from the Policy Dialogue in Phnom Penh.Dr Caroline LemerleRSR Program Coordinator (and Research Program Manager, Agricultural Systems Management) on behalf of the RSR Steering Committee

Headline storiesOur headline stories for this edition of RSR eNews focus on the reviewing of policy papers and slide presentations for the Policy Dialogue, and also presenting some key findings of the Climate Change Impact and Adaptation Study for the Lower Mekong Basin under USAID’s Mekong Adaptation and Resilience to Climate Change (Mekong ARCC) program.

Review process for papers and presentationsSubmission of papers for the Policy Dialogue was due by 7 March. Those papers received are currently in the process of being reviewed by ACIAR Research Program Managers (RPMs). Each RPM has been assigned 4–5 papers for review and will correspond direct with the respective lead author about any amendments required. Following sign-off by the relevant RPM, the paper will undergo light editing where required. Authors will be requested to check any edits and to sign-off on the paper as final; after which it will be sent to publishing. An ACIAR-published conference report is expected to be produced after the Policy Dialogue. A similar process of review will be conducted with respect to slide presentations, which should be submitted in Microsoft© PowerPoint format to ACIAR within two weeks of sign-off of the associated paper by the relevant RPM. This will enable all event participants to receive a USB drive containing copies of papers and slide presentations delivered at the Policy Dialogue.Contact: Dr Lisa Robins

Mekong ARCCThe USAID Mekong Adaptation and Resilience to Climate Change (Mekong ARCC) program (2011–16) has released a Climate Change Impact and Adaptation Study for the Lower Mekong Basin (LMB). This study, undertaken by a team of more than 20 international and national scientists and researchers and peer-reviewed by experts from globally-respected research organisations, outlines anticipated changes to the climate in the LMB and how these affect key livelihood sectors — including agriculture, capture fisheries and aquaculture, livestock, and natural systems. A clear finding of the study is that the LMB will see more extremes — wetter wet seasons, drier dry seasons, higher temperatures, more frequent and extreme flood events — and that these changes ‘will put pressure on traditional agricultural and natural systems in the basin, rendering unsuitable land one thought ideal for certain crops and shifting traditional ecosystems upland’. ‘Headline’ findings include: By 2050 the LMB will experience increasing climate extremes, including

higher temperatures, wetter wet seasons, drier dry seasons, and more frequent and intense flood events. The extent and distribution of rainfall and daily maximum temperatures will also differ significantly from the LMB’s historical trends.

Maximum daily temperatures exceeding 35°C will inhibit flowering and grain production of rainfed and irrigated rice in many areas of the LMB, including the Mekong Delta.

Communities relying on smallholder livestock for dairy, protein, and income-generating activities will become more vulnerable to food insecurity and sudden asset/savings loss as rising temperatures stress livestock breeds and amplify costs of feed.

Aquaculture and associated infrastructure will be vulnerable to increasing frequency and intensity of flood events throughout the LMB, and aquaculture stocks will experience increasing disease induced by the more extreme temperatures and corresponding lower dissolved oxygen levels.

Heat stress across the LMB will cause geographic changes in the ranges where certain plants and animals can be found, as they shift upland and eastward to escape heat extremes.

The study identifies provinces throughout the LMB that will see the greatest shift in temperature or rainfall or an increase in salinity: Chiang Rai and Sakon Nakhon, Thailand; Khammouan and Champasak, Lao PDR; and Kien Giang, Vietnam. The next phase of the project will focus on ‘supporting vulnerable communities in many of these provinces adapt to the impacts of climate change by incorporating scientific findings from the climate study into community planning, and testing resilience-strengthening livelihood techniques’.The climate study reports and associated documents are available online at the USAID Mekong ARCC Website: Main Report (Nov2013): http://bit.ly/1iK81Sr Summary Report (Nov2013): http://bit.ly/1g1T5hX Report Headlines (Jan2014): http://bit.ly/1lEISND Key Final Results (Jan2014): http://bit.ly/1dstNWe Agriculture Sector Vulnerability report (Feb2014): http://bit.ly/1h7fqOg

Fisheries Sector Vulnerability report (Feb2014): http://bit.ly/MHwJY9 Livestock Sector Vulnerability report (Feb2014): http://bit.ly/1crS3r0 Priority Province Summaries (Feb2014):

http://mekongarcc.net/resource/priority-province-summaries

Contact: Dr Mike Nunn, ACIAR

Lao PDR

Project 1 – Developing improved farming and marketing systems in rainfed regions of southern Lao PDR

NAFRI Special Issue - Lao Journal of Agriculture and ForestryWe now have English and Lao versions of all 12 papers submitted for the journal:

1. Introduction to the Southern Laos Project 2. Targets and trade-offs: economic constraints to the intensification of rainfed

lowland rice systems in southern Laos 3. Rice marketing chain in Savannakhet 4. Getting off the rice farming treadmill: How can direct-seeding improve the

economics of rice production in lowland Lao PDR? 5. Multi-environment testing of selected released modern Lao PDR rice varieties –

field trials in Savannakhet and Champasak Provinces, 2011 and 2012 Wet Season

6. On-farm screening of upland rice cultivars in Xepon and Nong Districts of Savannakhet province

7. Lessons from forage-based livestock interventions requiring a farm systems change

8. Characteristics and economic benefits of small farm ponds in Southern Laos 9. Farmer-participatory evaluation of the wetting and drying (AWD) water saving

technology in Southern Laos 10. “Het tua jing”: experiences with on-farm research for local stakeholders in

southern Laos 11. Project integration through focal village sites 12. Synthesis of the Southern Laos project Dr Bounthong will be launching the journal at a workshop for the 15th Anniversary of NAFRI on 9-10 April, which Prof. Len Wade will attend.

RSR Workshop in Phnom PenhSLP will prepare 5 chapters for the Policy Dialogue in Phnom Penh: Intensification (Crops), Diversification (Livestock), NRM (Water), Economics (Socio), Knowledge (Knowledge).  Papers and presentations will be reviewed at the SLP team meeting on 8 April.

SLP presenters at the workshop will be: Intensification – Dr Pheng Sengxua & Dr Yoichiro Kato Diversification – Dr Tassilo Tiemann & Mr Souksamlane Khamphoumee Climate Change & NRM – Dr Phil Eberbach & Dr Thavone Inthavong Governance & Knowledge (policy) – Dr Jono Newby & Mr Vongpaphane

Manivong

Governance & Knowledge (knowledge sharing) – Mr Thongchanh Sensoulivong & Mr Khammone Thiravong

Rice Futures Rapporteur – Prof. Len WadeContact: Prof. Len Wade or Ms Jennifer Locker, CSU

Cambodia

Project 2 Improved Rice Germplasm for Cambodia and Australia

Cambodia releases a new rice variety Damnoeb Sbai MongkulIn December 2013, the Cambodian Agricultural Research and Development Institute (CARDI) officially released a new glutinous rice variety Damnoeb Sbai Mongkul for the rainfed lowland ecosystem. The new variety is photoperiod sensitive and tall (150 cm), has big slender grains, typically yields 3.2 t/ha under rainfed lowland conditions, and is moderately tolerant to drought and submergence (photos 1 & 2 show the appearance of panicle, paddy and milled rice).

Panicle of Damnoeb Sbai Mongkul Paddy & milled rice of Damnoeb Sbai Mongkul

In a recent Field Day in Battambang, 65 local farmers were each provided with a 5 kg seed package for growing in the next wet season (see photos 3 and 4). At the national annual conference to be held in April 2014, each of the 24 PDA (Provincial Department of Agriculture) will be provided with 20 kg of breeder’s seed for seed multiplication for dissemination to more farmers. Development of this new variety is partly supported by the ACIAR rice breeding project.

Field Day in Battambang province Dr Ouk Makara distributing seed to farmers

Five promising lines in farmers’ field trials Five most promising and early-maturing lines identified in the previous seasons have been disseminated to 85 farmers in Kampong Thom, Takeo, Kampot, and Prey Veng provinces of Cambodia for growing under irrigated conditions in the 2014 dry season. These lines are IR 07L167, IR 77674-3B-8-2-2-8-2-4, IR 03L148, IR 04N155, and IR 06L164. Each farmer is given three of these lines and one local reference, and each line is planted to 100 m2. Data from these so-called Pre-on-farm Trials will be collected by researchers from CARDI and GDA and used for final evaluation for varietal release.

Eight promising lines being multiplied at CARDITogether with the lines that have been given to farmers for growing, a new set of eight promising lines is being multiplied at CARDI: IR 04L186, IR 09L337, IR 10L149, IR 67014-45-3-1, IR 87753-5-1-6-4, IR 87759-7-1-2-2, IR 87761-66-2-3-2, IR 87808-21-2-2-3.Each line is planted to 800 m2 to produce enough seeds to be disseminated to farmers in the following season.

A population for genetic study on grain quality developed at CARDI A population of 365 F6 recombinant inbred lines derived using single seed descent method from a cross of Phka Rumduol/Thmar Krem, two local varieties contrasting in grain quality, was obtained at CARDI in the 2013 wet season. Milled samples were sent to the University of Queensland for phenotyping on metabolomics, and paddy samples to IRRI for phenotyping on other quality related traits and for genotyping. The study aims to identify genes/QTLs responsible for good grain quality. A student has received a John Allwright scholarship to carry out deep metabolomic profiling and identification of QTLs (quantitative trait loci) for aroma, taste and sensory quality.

Ninety-four varieties/lines evaluated on grain quality at IRRIFifty-four promising lines identified by the 2013 dry season and forty released Cambodian varieties were evaluated on grain quality at IRRI. The result was used for selection on grain quality or for profiling the existing Cambodian varieties.

The following trials have been established in Cambodia

Trial

Test lines

Environment

No. of Trials location

On-farm 15 lowland 16

CARDI, Takeo, Kampot, Prey Veng, Kampong Thom

On-station 25 lowland 6 CARDI, Takeo,

Kampot, Prey Veng, Kampong Speou

Aerobic, On-station 8

lowland & aerobic 6

CARDI, Takeo , Kampong Speu

F5 nursery 246lowland & drought 2 CARDI

BPH tolerance 45 lowland 1 CARDISeed Increase & purification 24 Lowland 1 CARDI

Contact: Dr Dule Zhao, IRRI

Project 3 – Improved establishment and productivity in Cambodia and Australia

Finalising the project’s results and recommendationsThe project is currently being externally reviewed. The project team has recommended that ACIAR consider granting a no-cost extension for six months (to 30 September 2014), enabling the full scientific and community impacts of this project to be realised. The need for an extension arises largely from the highly exploratory nature of the research, aimed at increasing knowledge of improved technology and management options for Cambodian rice agro-ecosystems from a comparatively low base. A six month extension to the project would include a project team meeting to compare and synthesise findings, particularly their impacts on farmer income. It would also allow more detailed and better targeted recommendations from the experiments, data, observations and experiences of the project team during the past four years.There is a real need for extension and advisory networks to translate project findings into clear and appropriate recommendations for farmers built into training packages. Despite the loss of Cambodian Agricultural Value Chain Project (CAVAC) as a partner, 44 local Farmer Field Schools (FFS) have demonstrated considerable success in reaching sizeable farmer numbers and significantly increasing farmer capacity. Future efforts would focus on integrating key project messages into future FFS programmes. If these continue to be supported they would provide a clear path to adoption of project-derived recommendations.

Future directionsTo date the project has played a significant role in introducing and demonstrating a range of mechanised crop establishment options for rice farming systems, including hydrotillers, drum seeders, sprayers and weeders, and seed drills. These

activities have particularly focussed on lifting the partner capacity in using, evaluating and adapting these technologies. The Cambodian seeder developed within this project has generated strong interest following demonstration in Takeo, and is ready for targeted farmer evaluation. The project has synthesised the observations and results of a series of baseline and replicated trials conducted by all partners into:

1. options for crop establishment by season, hydrology and topography for Cambodian lowland rice systems; and

2. recommendations on the suitability of mechanised dry/wet direct seeding options according to soil type, topo-sequence and season.

Together with the development of weed management methods, the above options and recommendations should be further refined to identify the respective on-farm windows of opportunity that influence the economics of adoption. These results should be translated into farmer-focussed extension programmes that could guide the development of more productive and profitable rice crop farming systems in the rapidly developing agricultural sector in Cambodia. A key aspect of sustainable intensification lies in diverse crop rotations whereby profitable options for non-rice crops are also integrated into triple cropping scenarios.Contact: Peter Regan (NSW DPI)

Project 4 – Improved irrigation water management to increase rice productivity in Cambodia

Linking water availability and rice yields Results from bio-physical and socio-economic surveys undertaken as part of the project have provided some interesting insights into the relationships between access to water and rice yields, with landscape location and distance to the water sources driving yield variability temporally across seasons. In Takeo province, the relationship between distance to water source and yield (Fig.1) changes depending on season. Yields are higher in dry season rice (DSR) (Fig. 2A), with all farmers growing DSR (96% farmers) growing their crops within 200m of water sources (river, main, secondary and tertiary canals). Dry season rice crops can be split into two types: dry season crops grown exclusively with irrigation (55%) and recession rice (45%) grown on fields flooded in the wet season then supplemented with irrigation. Farmers growing recession rice in the dry season, also all grow pre-rising early wet season rice (EWR), which explains the poor relationship between distance to water source and yield in EWR crops (Fig.1). In this region, 51% of farmers grow EWR and of this crop 83% is grown as pre-rising rice. In comparison 54% of farmers grow a wet season crop, with higher yields being associated with smaller distances to water sources. As the majority of rice grown in the main wet season is traditional varieties (72%) that are transplanted into the paddy, increased access to water may be allowing earlier crop sowing and/or mitigating the impact of late wet season onset. In the other two seasons, varieties from other countries dominate rice being grown (95% both DSR and EWR). Only 7% of farmers grow a crop in all three seasons. The likelihood of farmers experiencing water shortages is the

same across all seasons (Fig. 2B), however in the dry season farmers appear to be managing this risk by only planting crops close to water sources.

0

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low average high low average high low average high

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Fig.1. Relationship between distance to water source, season (dry season rice DSR; early wet season rice EWR; main wet season rice MWR) and yield (low < 3.0 t ha -1, average 3.0 to 5.0 t ha -1 and high > 5.0 t ha -1) for 180 farmers in Takeo province in 2011-2012. Different letters indicate significant differences (p<0.001).

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Fig. 2. Yield (A) and likelihood of water shortage (B) for dry season, early and mid wet season rice crops in Takeo province (n = 180 farmers).

Contact: Dr Marisa Collins, CSIRO

Calibration and evaluation of the APSIM/ORYZA2000 to examine the effect of water and nitrogen management on yield of direct seeded dry season rice in Cambodia.The Agricultural Production Systems Simulator (APSIM) is a modular modelling framework that has been developed by the Agricultural Production Systems Research Unit (APSRU) in Australia. Collaborative research efforts between Wageningen University, IRRI (International Rice Research Institute) and APSRU have now resulted in the incorporation of ORYZA2000 into the APSIM modelling framework. Recently (since 2009) ORYZA2000 has evolved from a single rice

crop model towards a rice-based cropping model allowing management strategies to be analysed for single seasons or over long term crop rotations.Modelling efforts are underway to firstly evaluate the performance of the APSIM/ORYZA rice model in simulating the growth of dry season rice in a rice monoculture experiment at the CARDI experimental station in Cambodia. The second objective is to examine the effects of irrigation scheduling regimes varying from continuously flooded to floodwater replenishment several days after the disappearance of floodwater and what impact nitrogen management has on yield, crop stress and water productivity in the dry season.

The model is calibrated on the 2012 crop and the simulated and observed values for phenology, grain and biomass yields are presented in Table 1.

PI: panicle initiation, Sim: simulated, Obs: Observed, DAS: days after sowing

At present, only one independent dry season data set (2013) is available for evaluation. We are currently collecting observational data for the 2014 crop to enhance the evaluation process. Once the model has been evaluated, the effect of water and nitrogen management options on yield and water productivity will be explored.Contact: David Smith, CSIRO

Bangladesh

Project 5 – Introduction of short duration pulses into rice-based cropping systems in western Bangladesh

Travelling workshopDuring the winter (rabi season) in Bangladesh, this project (now in its fourth year) has focused on fitting lentil and pea into the rice based cropping system through relay and/or late sown sole cropping. The project is also optimising the agronomic package through control of diseases. To discuss the project’s progress a travelling workshop was conducted from 9-14 February, 2014. Research Programme Manager CIM Dr Eric Huttner joined RSR Project Leader Prof. William Erskine (UWA), Dr Ken Flower (UWA), Dr Imran Malik (UWA) and Dr M. Matiur Rahman (Project coordinator, IRRI-Bangladesh) along with the Pulses Research Centre team led by Dr Tapan Dey (Director). The workshop visited 30 demonstration sites managed by Department of Agriculture Extension (DAE) and the On-farm Research Division of the Bangladesh Agricultural Research Institute (BARI). Sound management by the project team ensured the demonstrations met project timelines with the few exceptions hindered by weather condition and despite civil unrest during the sowing season.

The project’s primary goal is to increase the production of pulses in Bangladesh. The area planted to lentil increased from 158 800 ha in 2011-2012) to 164 700 ha in 2012-2013 (Source: DAE) and the workshop saw evidence of further increase in the current season although official data is not yet available. The project’s recommended technology for relay sowing into standing transplanted rice is gaining momentum. Farmers at one location have rapidly expanded the use of relay sowing from 2 ha in 2011/12, through ~27 ha last season to ~60 ha in 2013/14. However, current season’s demonstrations also confirmed the need to avoid relay sowing lentil into heavy clay soils. Stemphylium blight caused by Stemphylium sarciniformis is the major threat to lentil crops in Bangladesh. Current season severity of Stemphylium blight was at a relatively low level, presumably due to the drier winter. Furthermore, within the demonstrations control was largely effective where fungicide was applied at the correct time and rate. This was the general picture across the demonstration sites and neighbouring fields visited by the workshop scientists. However, higher incidence of root rot was evident during 2013/14 season than in the previous year and was higher in the sole-cropped lentil than in the relay plots.Pea production and area cultivated is lower compared with lentil (FAO, 2013). The project has focused on developing a new system for peas in western Bangladesh to increase production. This involved short-season (60 day) large-seeded vegetable peas sole-cropped after the harvest of T. rice in late October/early November and before the transplanting of spring irrigated (i.e. boro) rice in early February. Of less importance is the target system for small/medium-seeded peas, which are marketable as green pods, to be either relay sown into T. rice in late October/early November or sole cropped, to be followed by rain fed (i.e Aus) T. rice transplanted in late March. Farmers are very enthusiastic about the possibility of such a crop and one particular demonstration farmer is even keen to become an entrepreneur- keeping seeds for pea after green pod harvest to sell next season.

Scientists from Pulse Research Centre (BARI) and UWA inspecting relay lentil demonstration

Joint meeting of ACIAR Rice-Pulse project and Conservation Agriculture (CA) project A meeting between Rice-Pulse and Conservation Agriculture project personnel was held on 15th February at the Bangladesh office of IRRI to explore opportunities for collaboration. The respective projects were represented by the workshop participants along with Dr Evan Christen, Dr Tim Russell (IRRI) and the CA team led by Prof. Richard Bell (CA Project leader), Dr Wendy Vance & Mr Enamul Haque.NGO Prova Director Mr Mohammad Abu Musa outlined relevant on-farm experience which assisted in reaching agreement for the two projects to collaborate at a couple of locations in the upcoming Kharif-1 season.

Pre-season visitAt the start of the pulse growing season (Nov. 2013/14) Dr Imran Malik, Research Associate from The University of Western Australia, oversaw implementation and establishment of different experiments at several sites in Bangladesh. Unfortunately travel was restricted on account of the civil unrest and general strikes at that time. The trip was closely coordinated with the local Project Coordinator Dr Matiur Rahman from the IRRI Bangladesh office. Contact: Prof. William Erskine, UWA

Related programs

Adaptation to climate change in Asia

Direct seeding – farmers telling it how it really isAs part of the ACIAR project Developing multi-scale climate change adaptation strategies for farming communities in Cambodia, Laos, Bangladesh and India (LWR/2008/019; led by Dr Christian Roth) a series of focus group discussions were held in Outhoumphone and Champhone districts of Savannakhet Province, Lao PDR. The aim was to better understand farmers’ experiences with the dry direct seeders which were tested on farms in the 2013 wet season.Mr Lytoua Chialue and Mr Fue Yang from National University of Laos (NUOL, Lao PDR) led the discussions with farmers in eight villages throughout Outhoumphone and Champhone, supported by Mr Khammone Thiravong (PAFO Savannakhet), Dr Clemens Grunbuhel (AIT, Thailand) and Dr John Schiller (UQ, Australia). Ms Liana Williams and Ms Alison Laing (both CSIRO, Australia) and other PAFO and DAFO staff also participated in the discussions.Across all villages farmers noted various conditions had affected the 2014 wet season – most commonly poor rainfall distribution and prolonged dry periods. Individual farmers’ experiences with the direct seeder varied significantly, depending on factors such as the position in the toposequence of the paddy where the seeder was tested, water availability, land size and availability of labour. The unusually long intra-monsoonal dry period within the 2013 wet season highlighted the need to control weeds effectively when directly planting rice. Households who were able to manage weeds more effectively had either planted

a smaller area with the direct seeder, and thus had lower labour demands to manage weeds, and/or had water available, either through planting in lower toposequences or with supplementary irrigation, so that standing water suppressed the weeds.The maturation time of early-planted rice was an issue in some villages, prompting farmer reflection on choice of rice variety. Many felt later maturing varieties would be more suitable, avoiding bird damage and the difficulties of harvesting/post-harvest activities before the end of the rains. This project provided an opportunity for many farmers to test the dry direct seeder, and to gain a more nuanced understanding of the potential benefits and risks of this establishment method. For farmers the main attraction of the dry seeder is the potential for labour saving if weeds can be managed. Overall farmers continue to demonstrate interest in the direct seeder, in particular for its potential to save labour and reduce production costs. Many farmers noted their limited experience (to date) in using the seeder and were interested in testing it again next season with some modifications (e.g. new field location). On-farm testing of the dry direct seeders will continue in the 2014 wet season, where the focus will be on variety selection and managing weeds. This testing will also extend opportunities for farmers to become more practised and comfortable with using the dry seeder in their particular production systems.Contact: Ms Alison Laing, Lao PDR country coordinator; Dr Christian Roth, ACCA project leader

Events and publications CALL FOR PAPERS The 3rd MSSRC International Conference on "Mekong

Region and ASEAN in Transition: People and Transborder Issues"; 11 -12 September 2014, Ubon Ratchathani, Thailand (http://www.la.ubu.ac.th/mekong_conference/)

USAID Mekong Adaptation and Resilience to Climate Change program (2011–16) has released a Climate Change Impact and Adaptation Study for the Lower Mekong Basin : Main Report (Nov2013): http://bit.ly/1iK81Sr ; Summary Report (Nov2013): http://bit.ly/1g1T5hX; Report Headlines (Jan2014): http://bit.ly/1lEISND; Key Final Results (Jan2014): http://bit.ly/1dstNWe; Agriculture Sector Vulnerability report (Feb2014): http://bit.ly/1h7fqOg; Fisheries Sector Vulnerability report (Feb2014): http://bit.ly/MHwJY9; Livestock Sector Vulnerability report (Feb2014): http://bit.ly/1crS3r0; Priority Province Summaries (Feb2014): http://mekongarcc.net/resource/priority

The Summer 2014 issue of the Graham Centre’s newsletter ‘The Innovator’ includes an article on the RSR program on pages 19–21, and a profile of Dr Jason Condon on page 22. (http://www.csu.edu.au/research/grahamcentre/news/newsletter.htm)

The documentary film ‘Xayaburi and Pöyry: What Lies Behind’ (41 mins. in English, August 2013) provides critical perspectives on the decision-making, scientific studies and planning of the Xayaburi dam being built in Lao PDR. It highlights the role of the Finnish company Pöyry, which did the study used by Laos to justify the project (Youtube link: http://youtu.be/vSKZTYIY-ho).

Jeff Esdaile’s Two-wheel Tractor Newsletter Made in Bangladesh: Scale-appropriate machinery for   agricultural   resource

conservation. by Krupnik, T.J., S. Santos Valle, A.J. McDonald, S. Justice, I. Hossain, and M.K. Gathala. Mexico, D.F.: CIMMYT 2013