ASIAN FARMERS CALL FOR MORE "PRO-SMALL FARMER" MEASURE IN WTO AND FTAs

9m small farmers and producers from 10 countries in Asia call on government of developing agricultural countries to ensure that "pro-small farmer" rule will be agreed in the current WTO negotiations in Geneva as well as in bilateral agreements currently forged by their government with the United States. Asian farmers Association for Sustainable Rural Development (AFA) leaders make a press release statement during the WTO Forum held on 23rd June,2006 at Taiping Resort, Malaysia. My self as Secretary General of DHRRA Malaysia has facilitate this forum jointly with AFA Secretariat base in Philippines. The AFA leaders said in the forum " We want the DOHA Round to be really for the development and benefit of small farmers and producers. We want it to correct the unjust imbalance in trade between poor and rich countries. "We call on Asian government to take the FTA negotiations slowly, carefully, and have the welfare of the small farmers and the agriculture sector in mind. We call on our governments to be transparents in the negotiation process, to make open the proposals being given by both sides. Government should include us, farmers, in studying and drafting the agreement, farmers in Malaysia,in Thailand, in Indonesia,in Philippines, should study the proposals and make sure their voices are heard." said Seo Jung Eui,AFA Chairperson and also chairperson of the Korean Advanced Farmers Federation (KAFF).

SUSTAINABLE RURAL DEVELOPMENT:PO-NGO Partnership-Learn from partner experiences

On 19-23rd June,2006, at Taiping Resort,Taiping,Malaysia, fifty NGO leaders through out Asia country has attending five days 6th General Assembly. They are AsiaDHRRA members and partners organizations represent 10 country such as Philippine, Indonesia, Malaysia, Vietnam, Combodia, Thailand, Myanmar, Korea, Japan and Taiwan.DHRRA Malaysia headed by Mr.Marimuthu Nadason hosted this five days event with the coordination AsiaDHRRA Secretariat based in Philippine. My self as DHRRA Malaysia Secretary General play a roles in coordinating and arrangement of this event since begining of June till end of this event.
The theme of this GA are " Roles of NGOs and POs in Sustainable Rural Development:Models of PO-NGO Partnership " Through this five days GA, participants has learned from the partnership experiences and understand current rural development situation in Asia. Participants also develop a shared framework of PO-NGO Partnership towards autonomous, strong, and effective POs. Participants has discuss and review the 5 year Strategic Goals of AsiaDHRRA.The new network leaders for next four years (2006-2010) was elected and headed by Mr.Marimuthu from DHRRA Malaysia as Chairperson for AsiaDHRRA.

Through this five days event, participants also has exposed to farmers village at Semanggol, Taiping and have a dialouge with local farmers and Agriculture Department Officer (Government Organisation). The participants has enjoy eating local foods and fruits and visiting padi field at the village.