Agri innovation Workshop Building resilience to climate change in Malaysia through innovative and sustainable agricultural technologies

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1 Building resilience to climate change in Malaysia through innovative and sustainable agricultural technologies March 2016 Crops For the Future, Semenyih, Selangor, Malaysia The University of Reading s Walker Institute, UK, and Crops For the Future, Malaysia, invite Early Career Researchers working in the UK and Malaysia to submit applications to attend this Action Learning for Research Workshop. The Workshop is funded by the Newton Fund Researcher Link through the British Council.

2 Please submit your Application by 8 January 2015 SUMMARY Building climate change resilience is a global challenge of critical importance to Malaysia. Incorporating climate resilience into initiatives supporting agri business and rural well being in Malaysia will require innovative approaches that address cross cutting issues related to livelihood, such as income and food security, access to services, affordable energy and sustainable agriculture. New digital tools and interdisciplinary approaches provide a potentially gamechanging resource in the development of research and policy application that addresses the resilience challenges facing Malaysian communities. Integrating the University of Reading's expertise on climate change, socio economic welfare and development, with Crops For the Future's expertise on agro biodiversity and climate resilient cropping systems, the workshop will bring together Early Career Researchers to devise responses to diverse climate resilience challenges in Malaysia that support agri businesses and rural communities. OBJECTIVES The workshop aims to provide an opportunity for researchers to work with stakeholders to develop tailored research which addresses societal needs, is directly linked to applications, and supports key focus areas of the 11th Malaysia Plan. Specific objectives include: 1. To build Early Career Researchers' capacity to engage in interdisciplinary research for climate resilient development through innovative agricultural technologies. 2. To develop proposals for original research supporting the development of pathways for climate resilient agricultural innovation in Malaysia. 3. To investigate how equitable social and economic development of rural communities can be incorporated into pathways for climate resilient agricultural innovation. 4. To establish a community of research practice that will facilitate professional development and future research collaboration and foster links between the UK and Malaysia. 2

3 EXPECTED OUTCOMES The workshop provides a unique opportunity to develop innovative measures that will help build capacity to support climate change resilience initiatives in Malaysia. The workshop will do so by helping to build critical mass in addressing climate challenges in Malaysia, providing the opportunity for interdisciplinary and multi cultural working, improving understanding of how researchers and organisations work and developing the skills required to form effective partnerships. SCIENTIFIC STEERING COMMITTEE Prof Sue Walker Dr Maria Noguer Prof Chin Kooi Ong Dr Eleanor Fisher Dr Miang Lim Dr Henny Osbahr Dr Patrick O Reilly Director of CropBASE and Research Theme Leader of Agrometeorology & Ecophysiology Program; Crops For the Future, Malaysia Climate Science and Business Coordinator, University of Reading Walker Institute, UK Chief Research Officer, Crops For the Future, Malaysia Associate Professor of International Development, University of Reading and Walker Institute associate, UK Program Director of FoodPLUS and Research Theme Leader of Nutrition and Bioproducts Program, Crops For the Future, Malaysia Associate Professor of International Development, University of Reading and Walker Institute associate, UK Social, Economic and Policy Research Theme Leader, Crops For the Future, Malaysia 3

4 FORMAT Employing an Action Learning for Research approach, participants will be given the opportunity to acquire new skills as they work with stakeholders and mentors to develop proposals to address climate resilience issues in Malaysia. The programme includes: Tools for problem definition for climate resilience and agricultural development. Teams with members selected for diversity (Malaysian/UK/disciplines/experience). Processes structured to build the participants potential through inquiry, experience sharing, teamwork, knowledge development and responsibility. A requirement to develop impact driven research actions. A chance to pitch research ideas to experts and benefit from their feedback. This workshop allows mentors and stakeholders to act as "coaches" to support the groups in developing innovative proposals for measures to build climate resilience in Malaysia. PROGRAMME DAY 1: INSPIRATION AND KNOWLEDGE SHARING SESSION 1: Setting the scene WORKSHOP OPEN Welcome Workshop objectives and introduction Dr Noguer, UoR 1. Global challenges, climate change and agriculture Prof Walker, CFF 2. Climate policy perspective MNRE MORNING BREAK 3. Conservation agriculture and climate change WWF Malaysia 4. Climate change and agribusiness Sime Darby 5. Rural wellbeing in Malaysia Community Panel discussion Key speakers Team work Reflection on presentations SESSION 2: Motivation, expectations and expertise Poster presentations AFTERNOON BREAK SESSION 3: Using digital tools in research planning Presentation GIS tools for planning research Dr Virdis, CFF Team work GIS and demographics packs for selected sites; identification of challenges and avenues for addressing them END OF DAY DINNER 4

5 DAY 2: ACTION LEARNING FOR RESEARCH TEAMS SESSION 4: Problem definition: Delineating cause and effect Presentation Tools for identifying applied research objectives Team work Groups prepare problem statement for assigned location MORNING BREAK Presentation Agricultural diversification in practice Presentation Climate resilience, innovation and equity Team work Identifying research questions and solution pathways SESSION 5: From questions to research proposal Presentation Writing successful research bids Team work ALR teams explore funding opportunities and build proposals AFTERNOON BREAK SESSION 6: International research funding Presentation Finding funding Team work ALR teams explore funding opportunities and build proposals END OF DAY DINNER Dr Osbahr, UoR Prof Ong, CFF Dr Fisher, UoR Dr Noguer, UoR Dr Hall, CFF DAY 3: ISSUES IN SITU: CFF FIELD RESEARCH CENTRE AND KUALA SELANGOR VISIT DAY Visit to CFF Field Research Centre Kuala Selangor site tour Briefings: DOA officer, Forest Ranger, Conservation NGO, TROCARI Eco Tourism trip: Kampung Huantan Firefly Park Presentation Agricultural diversification in practice DAY 4: DEVELOPING YOUR PITCH AND COMMUNITY NETWORKING SESSION 7: Research pitch and expert clinics Presentation Developing a research pitch Dr Noguer, UoR Team work 30 minute consultations with subject specialists SESSION 8: Community networking event: Working with farmers Farming with workers Participants undertake farm tasks exploring farmers' everyday challenges Recap and END OF DAY DINNER DAY 5: PITCHING IDEAS AND CONCLUSION SESSION 9: Pitching projects Presentations to Jury of stakeholders and research leaders MORNING BREAK Jury deliberation and sharing learning experience Prof Ong, CFF 5

6 SESSION 10: Conclusion Community of practice Career development Prize giving Certificate presentation WORKSHOP CLOSE Prof Walker, CFF APPLICATION If you are an Early Career Researcher in a discipline related to agriculture, rural development, agriinnovation and/or climate change and are interested in participating in this workshop, please fill in the attached Application Form and return it via to links@cffresearch.org by 4 th January We welcome applications from researchers from both the natural and social sciences. For UK applicants, experience of working in Malaysia is not essential, although a familiarity with climate change and/or agriculture in tropical regions is desirable. For general eligibility criteria, please refer to the Application Form. Participants are asked to prepare a poster about their work and to present it during one of the workshop. The poster will need to address the why, what and how of the work and its potential impacts and benefits. Costs, including travel, accommodation, subsistence and workshop registration fees will be covered for successful applicants. About Crops For the Future, Malaysia Crops For the Future (CFF) is the world s first centre dedicated to research on underutilised crops for food and non food users. Its research focusses on agricultural biodiversity to enhance agricultural systems and their sustainability, address changing climates, and improve food and nutritional security and economic well being, especially of the poor. Incorporated in 2011, CFF is a company limited by guarantee by the Malaysian Government and University of Nottingham in Malaysia. CFF will host the workshop at its recently opened headquarters in Selangor, Malaysia. About the University of Reading, UK The University of Reading was established in 1892 and is now ranked in the top 1% of universities worldwide (QS University World Rankings 2015/16) with a world class reputation for the quality of our teaching, research and links to business. Our research tackles the planet s most pressing challenges and is organised under five themes: Food, Health, Environment, Heritage & Creativity and Prosperity & Resilience. We have a strong reputation in interdisciplinary and multidisciplinary collaborations which deliver real life impact. 6

7 About the Walker Institute, University of Reading, UK Reading s world renowned expertise in climate science is coordinated and framed through the Walker Institute. The Institute carries out world leading interdisciplinary research towards building climate resilient societies. Our areas of expertise include climate processes and modelling, water resources and quality, biodiversity, agriculture, soils, livelihoods, social economics and the urban environment. Our scientists work closely with business, governments and research organisations. As well as innovative research, training in climate change and its impacts is also a priority. institute.ac.uk About the Newton Fund The Newton Fund is a 375 million fund which, through science and innovation partnerships, promotes the economic development and welfare of poor people in partnering countries. It aims to strengthen science and innovation capacity and unlock further funding to support poverty alleviation. The Fund is overseen by the UK Department for Businesses Innovation and Skills and delivered through 15 delivery partners in collaboration with 15 partnering countries. Contacts for further information Dr Maria Noguer University of Reading Walker Institute, UK m.noguer@reading.ac.uk Dr Patrick O Reilly Crops For the Future, Malaysia patrick.oreilly@cffresearch.org 7