Workshop report Stakeholder meeting for Greater Mekong Cassava Seed Systems Report on an international workshop held on Wednesday December 7th, 2022 Phnom Penh Hotel, Phnom Penh, Cambodia By CIAT Asia cassava program (in alphabetical order): Cu Thi Le Thuy, Erik Delaquis, Imran Malik, Jonathan C. Newby, Sok Sophearith, Laothao Youabee Edited by: Erik Delaquis Funded by OneCGIAR Initiative Seed Equal & GIZ Cambodia Supported by ACIAR-funded CIAT-led project ‘Establishing sustainable solutions to cassava diseases in mainland South-East Asia’, and GIZ Cambodia Participating organization / project Acronym Agricultural Genetics Institute (Vietnam) AGI Battambang Cassava Association (Cambodia) Cambodia-Australia Partnership for Resilient Economic Development CAPRED Cambodian Agricultural Research and Development Institute CARDI Cambodia Agricultural Sector Diversification Project CASDP Cambodia Cassava Association Cambodia’s General Directorate of Agriculture (Cambodia) GDA Centre Internationale de Recherches en Agriculture et Developpement CIRAD Center of Excellence for Sustainable Agricultural Intensification and Nutrition CE SAIN (Cambodia) Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit GIZ Department of Industrial Crops (Cambodia) DoIC Hung Loc Agricultural Research Center (Vietnam) HLARC International Center for Tropical Agriculture CIAT Japanese International Development Agency JICA Kampong Thom Cassava Association (Cambodia) National Agriculture and Forestry Research Institute (Lao PDR) NAFRI National University of Battambang (Cambodia) UBB Provincial Department of Agriculture, Forestry, and Fisheries (Cambodia) PDAFF Tay Nguyen University (Vietnam) TNU University of Kratie (Cambodia) Contents Executive summary ......................................................................................................................................................................3 Attendees ...........................................................................................................................................................................................3 Workshop rationale and agenda ...........................................................................................................................................3 Presentations and discussions ...............................................................................................................................................6 Varietal exchange, tissue culture, and registration .................................................................................................6 Decentralized multiplication (tunnel systems) .........................................................................................................9 Farmer multiplication and engagement in upstream processes ................................................................... 12 Next Steps ....................................................................................................................................................................................... 13 Group photos ................................................................................................................................................................................ 14 Annex I. Workshop participant list ................................................................................................................................... 16 Annex II. Workshop agenda. ................................................................................................................................................. 17 Page 2 of 17 Executive summary This workshop was organized in Phnom Penh by the CIAT Asia cassava program with support from GIZ Cambodia field office. The event was organized as a key activity for the socialization of new cassava rapid multiplication technologies and developments in regional seed system initiatives. With participants from Lao PDR, Cambodia, Vietnam, and Thailand, the workshop also served as an organization and planning activity to foster synergies between different cassava-related initiatives in Cambodia and neighboring countries coping with the regional cassava mosaic disease epidemic. Presentations by the research, development, and government participants were followed by group work based around the stages of resistance introduction, breeding of resistant varieties, release and rapid clean seed multiplication. Attendees The event was attended by 54 participants representing organizations, projects, farmers organizations and stem traders from Cambodia, Lao PDR, Vietnam, and Thailand, representing 47 male and 7 female participants. In addition to representatives of the aforementioned organizations, farmer and informal seed trader delegates were invited from the Cambodian provinces of Banteay Meanchey, Stung Treng, Kratie, and Kampong Thom, and the Vietnamese province of Tay Ninh. Attendees originated from nine provinces of Cambodia, 3 provinces of Vietnam, and the national capital of Lao PDR. The full list of participants and their affiliations is available in Annex I. Workshop rationale and agenda As the cassava mosaic disease (CMD) epidemic continues to unfold across Southeast Asia, there is a need to continue to push mitigation and adaptation strategies. Seven years on from the origin of the epidemic, collaborations between CGIAR, national breeding programs, international and national NGOs have given rise to short, intermediate, and longer term solution pathways. This workshop served to share approaches, progress, and experiences with the breeding and release of CMD resistant varieties and the development of rapid multiplication protocols for cassava seed. The latter focused primarily on the expansion of CIAT – led rapid seed multiplication tunnels, the most widely adopted rapid multiplication technology so far in the region to increase multiplication rates and cope with increasing phytosanitary constraints (Fig 1). Page 3 of 17 Figure 1. Phytosanitary constraints in Southeast Asian cassava production systems (Erik Delaquis, CIAT). A major goal of the workshop was the exploration of interest and potential for partnerships for the expansion of multiplication sites. This activity was important for all participating countries, but especially for Cambodia. The ACIAR-funded, CIAT managed project ‘Establishing sustainable solutions to cassava diseases in mainland South-East Asia’ has been the organizing structure and driving force for the major regional response to CMD and introduction of new germplasm. The project has 4 major objectives: • Objective 1: Assess the opportunities, challenges and risks for the development of sustainable regional solutions for cassava disease management in mainland SEA including coordinated policy development, sustainable business and public-private funding models; • Objective 2: Enhance the capacity and collaboration between breeding programs in mainland Southeast Asia to develop new product profiles for commercially viable cassava varieties by identifying and incorporating known and novel sources of resistance to Cassava Mosaic Disease (CMD) and Cassava Witches Broom Disease (CWBD) into national breeding programs; • Objective 3: Develop, test and deploy diagnostic protocols, tools, and information platforms fit for purpose in monitoring, surveillance, and certification applications; and Page 4 of 17 • Objective 4: Develop and evaluate technically feasible and economically sustainable cassava seed system models for the rapid dissemination of new varieties and clean planting material to smallholder farmers in different production systems and value chains. This project will be ending in 2023. The development of subsequent activities is critical to ensure that progress is still ongoing towards the objective of safeguarding smallholder livelihoods in the face of the CMD threat. It was group consensus that meeting the new demand for varieties and seed with sufficient quality will require extensive new partnerships. The organizational models used will also need to be tailored to each specific context. The workshop followed a field day to demonstrate the tunnel installed by the Cambodian General Directorate of Agriculture in Chamkar Leu district, Kampong Cham province. As of February 2022, a total of 47 rapid multiplication tunnels and 4 screenhouses have been installed in the Greater Mekong Subregion (Fig 2). Figure 2. Rapid seed multiplication tunnel installations with CIAT-ACIAR project focus provinces in red (Erik Delaquis, CIAT). The workshop agenda covered updates from the CIAT team on breeding, the progression of the CMD epidemic, progress in rapid stem multiplication, and outlook for the future. The full agenda is presented in Annex II. Page 5 of 17 Presentations and discussions The presentations covered elements from breeding, evaluation, and release to formal multiplication and dissemination systems, and farmer participation throughout the processes. Following plenary the participants divided into 3 major groups for discussion based on the same stages in the variety development and seed system value chain. A short summary on each topic follows drawing from both participant presentations and group discussions. Varietal exchange, tissue culture, and registration Through the ACIAR funded, CIAT-managed project ‘Establishing sustainable solutions to cassava diseases in mainland South-East Asia, CIAT has continued importing promising materials for integration into Asian breeding programs. Through partnerships with national programs and international platforms, CIAT has continued to introduce sources of CMD resistance into regional Southeast Asian programs. These include established clones as well as breeding populations (Figure 3). Figure 3. Introduction of CMD resistant materials to Southeast Asia (Jonathan Newby, CIAT). Lao PDR - NAFRI In Lao PDR, the Future Stems facility at NAFRI in the national capital has allowed the country to receive in vitro plantlets, multiply them and quickly bulk them through the 6-tunnel and hardening screenhouse system. The establishment of this infrastructure has allowed Future Stems to act as a hub for receival of material from international sources including the collections of the International Institute of Tropical Agriculture (IITA), the international reference collection of CIAT held in Page 6 of 17 Colombia at the Future Stems facility, and botanical seeds resultant from international breeding efforts (Figures 4 and 5). Figure 4. Receipt of intenational tissue culture plantlets in soilless media (Laothao Youabee, CIAT). Figure 5. Shipping of starter stems produced by NAFRI at Future Stems to Cambodia (Laothao Youabee, CIAT, and Saythong Oudthachit, NAFRI). CIAT – Regional introductions Page 7 of 17 CIAT’s breeding work continues in Vietnam for introgressing CMD resistance into elite Asian cassava germplasm with targeted dates of 2025-26 for evaluation of selected crosses. Breeding is ongoing to achieve favorable production traits in addition to CMD resistance, including: starch stability, plant type, and resistance to other pests and diseases (Figure 6). Figure 6. Evaluation of resistant varieties from crossing evaluations in Vietnam (Cu Thi Le Thuy, CIAT Vietnam). Vietnam - HLARC In the meantime, the first generation of 6 resistant varieties have been released in Vietnam and are being adopted in some areas through multiplication at HLARC and dissemination through trader networks,the extension system, and farmer purchase. The resistant varieties from Africa are poorly adapted to intensive Southeast Asian agricultural production systems in a number of important agronomic characteristics. Sprawling plant type, high branching, low starch concentration and stability, and unpredictable bulking profiles were among the traits identified as particularly problematic. Cambodia - CARDI CARDI has received 11 CMD resistant clones via tissue culture, and has multiplied and is maintaining the lines in tissue culture. Table 1 provides a list of clones and multiplication progress achieved during 2020 at CARDI’s facilities. Work is ongoing to improve the tissue culture and Page 8 of 17 multiplication screenhouses. This will increase CARDI’s ability to act as a national hub for receiving and multiplying starter materials to supply the other tunnels operating in Cambodia. Table 1. Clones received and multiplied by CARDI (from presentation by Chhourn Orn, CARDI). Variety No. of plantlets/plants No name In-vitro Screenhouse Field Total 1 IITA 1 206 - 200 406 2 IITA 2 177 37 200 414 3 IITA 3 460 239 200 899 4 IITA 4 287 15 150 452 5 IITA5 40 - 150 190 6 KU50 380 41 300 721 7 AR35-1 1220 288 102 1610 8 CR13-8 845 220 68 1133 9 CR27-20 590 - 40 630 10 CR24-3 593 330 101 1024 11 CR24-16 455 5 40 500 12 CR52A-4 790 263 98 1151 Group outcomes Varietal exchange, tissue culture, and registration are highly government regulated activities. Buy- in from government partners is critical to continued success in this area, and breeding and introduction is likely to remain the purview of the public and INGO sector for the foreseeable future. Current major sources of varieties are primarily the CARDI/CIAT/ACIAR and UBB/JICA/CIAT introduction pathways. A discussion was also had around financing to increase the economic sustainability of these models. Avues for ‘taxation’ of downstream seed business actors is a conventional model but may require more creative structure for the cassava case due to its vegetative propagation mode, which allows for the easy multiplication of released varieties by farmers in the field. An industry levy on processors is one option for recovery of some revenues. Another option, as seen in Thailand, is the formation of a dedicated research and development body funded by structured private sector investments, and providing them with some accountability in activities undertaken by the body. Decentralized multiplication (tunnel systems) Vietnam - TNU In Vietnam, TNU have produced a very large number of plantlets using their adapted rapid multiplication tunnels (Figure 7). They are currently evaluating the economic performance and experimenting with management and inputs to streamline the system. Their estimated real Page 9 of 17 multiplication ratio is now 1:69 (compared to conventional 1:10) over a 5-cut cycle with 84% of hardened plants high enough quality for sale. With the current system, this allows them to produce 21,000 hardened plantlets over a single 5-cut cycle, which they have been selling for 6,000 VND per plant (0.25 USD). Figure 7. Associate Prof. Dr. Nguyễn Văn Minh demonstrates the implementation of the rapid multiplication tunnel in Dak Lak, Vietnam (Tay Nguyen University). Lao PDR - NAFRI The tunnel system at Future Stems in Laos has recorded the production of 46,597 cuttings over 3 years (Table 2) – this has been an important source of clean starter material for the establishment of the Cambodian tunnel systems and illustrates the regional nature of the issue. Trials of climate control systems, fertilizer rates, and other criteria are ongoing to improve the system. Page 10 of 17 Table 2. Cutting and stem multiplication at NAFRI in Lao PDR (from presentation by Saythong Oudthachit and Laothao Youabee). Total cuttings Total outplanted to the field Tunnel Variety/Year 2020 2021 2022 2020 2021 2022 KU50 4,896 1,056 960 3,070 380 384 No. 1 TMEB419 0 0 480 0 0 198 Rayong 11 0 1632 672 0 0 0 Rayong 11 6,768 1,728 1,824 4,910 700 0 SM 2775-2 0 288 1,824 0 270 0 No. 2 KU50 0 384 2,112 0 364 0 Rayong 72 0 0 1,824 0 0 0 Rayong 72 0 0 1,152 0 0 0 KU50 2,016 2016 0 588 588 0 TMEB419 0 192 0 63 63 0 No. 3 IBA980581 0 338 0 332 42 290 IBA980505 0 192 0 63 63 0 IBA972205 0 203 0 63 63 0 IBA920057 0 216 384 181 42 139 SM 2775-2 384 0 0 90 0 0 No. 4 KU50 0 0 288 0 0 0 Rayong11 864 1,344 1,728 0 0 0 Rayong72 0 672 0 0 600 0 No. 5 Rayong11 0 0 576 0 0 0 KU50 0 960 1,248 0 844 650 Rayong72 0 1,632 0 0 730 0 No. 6 TMEB419 0 0 576 0 0 0 KU50 0 1,824 1,344 0 0 481 Total cutting plantlets 14,928 14,677 16,992 9,360 4,749 2,142 Cambodia – CARDI Using the new rapid multiplication tunnels, CARDI has produced 1098 plants of KU50, and a further 1177 of the introduced IITA 2, 3, and 5 resistant clones. Multiplication is ongoing and testing of the varieties in local conditions will accompany Cambodia – JICA / SATREPS JICA presented the model for clean stem production, dissemination, and multiplication by farmers planned through engagement with the University of Battambang via the SATREPS (Science and Technology Research Partnership for Sustainable Development) mechanism and CASPS project. This is a robust system with frequent PCR-based verification of stem phytosanitary status. Partners collaborating as outgrowers in the project include government ministry and GIZ multiplication farmers. Beginning with construction of the multiplication infrastructure at Battambang University in 2016/17, the model has the goal of establishing a functional system in which the University of Page 11 of 17 Battambang provides starter seed that can supply seed producers supported by training and management through PDAFF, GDA, and government extension services. Group outcomes The importance of bookkeeping for evaluation of tunnel economics under different conditions and configurations was an important outcome of the discussion. Partners will keep track of minimum reporting information on numbers of cycles and numbers of plantlets and stems produced and disseminated, as well as financial performance. Comparing these figures across different tunnel configurations, climate conditions, and organizational arrangements will be critical for the development of realistic and flexible models for expansion, as well as further refining protocols. Another clear area of need identified was capacity development. While PDAFFs can make use of existing promotional policies for cassava in order to Farmer multiplication and engagement in upstream processes Farmer and farmer association participants expressed a strong desire to participate in upstream components of the seed value chain. Farmers were particularly interested in participating in early trials of new improved varieties. Rather than relying on government partners alone, largely in the form of PDAFF, Cambodian association members in some of the stronger provinces (Battambang, Banteay Menachey) expressed willingness to try tunnel multiplication systems in their areas. The suitability of tunnel systems for farmer management is an area of some debate. CIAT stressed that although protocols and manuals are under development in Khmer language, it is a serious undertaking requiring dedication and perseverance to run a tunnel system. At minimum 3-4 dedicated staff are required to complete operations in a timely manner. Suggestions included the formation of a dedicated center for centralized production of clean cassava seed, as well as working groups in local districts and an innovation platform to share experiences and developments in stem multiplication. The stem trader participants were equally clear that they see the need for continued release and multiplication of new varieties to cope with the CMD epidemic. In addition, several stated the knowledge that “we cannot rest after that – once CMD is solved there will be something else, and there will always be a demand for new varieties”. The multiplication of new varieties, before they become easily accessible on the market, was noted to be a vibrant business in Vietnam, Thailand, and Cambodia, with stems commanding high market prices. In Vietnam HLARC has been successfully partering with trader multipliers and agricultural extension centers to provide access to the new CMD resistant clones. Both HLARC and the trader have found economic incentives to continue. In Cambodia, traders have also been economically incentivized to import new varieties from both Thailand and Vietnam, multiplying them within the country and charging a premium. The use of social media platforms for advertising and sale was Page 12 of 17 noted in all cases. The informal sector continues to be the primary source of multiplication and dissemination of planting materials in all countries. Given the large scale and geographic area of cassava production, it is of critical importance to find ways to engage with them and build on their strengths wrather than set up oppositional conditions. This is much easier when considering pushing an elite disease resistant variety than when considering phytosanitary status of materials and requiring inspection to ascertain ‘clean’ status. In terms of formal seed multiplication systems, participation of farmers is limited to date. GIZ’s CRAS project targets 5 districts in Kampong Thom and Kratie provinces for promotion of clean planting material multiplication. The project is still in nascent stages working on refining the model and scaling up operations of a farmer multiplier scheme. They demonstrated a successful example of a key farmer producing cassava seed on 5 ha since 2019 including Rayong 72, KU50, KU72, Rayong 9, and Houaybong 60. (Figure 8) These are not resistant, but rather ‘best bet’ varieties that are less affected by CMD. This business model allows the farmer to produce approximately 1000 bundles of planting material per ha, resulting in projected revenues of 1000$ and 2925$ per hectare from stems and roots, respectively for a total profit of 2550$. A training of trainers model is planned to outscale the initative across the target provinces. Figure 8. Farmer multiplier root and stem yields in Banteay Meanchey (Phalla Kang, GIZ). Next Steps Follow up meetings will be conducted with all parterns as the CIAT-ACIAR project works towards its conclusion in October 2023. In Cambodia, the immediate next steps are the identification of Page 13 of 17 partners interested in engaging in tunnel multiplication systems that can receive started materials from CARDI or UBB to start their multiplication cycles. CIAT will continue to work with CARDI on the introduction and testing of germplasm to be multiplied through the system. In Vietnam, HLARC and AGI will continue to work on the fine tuning of existing tunnel systems and expansion with additional partners. Particular focus will be geared towards record keeping and economics. In Lao PDR, NAFRI will continue to act as a regional hub for receiving, testing, and multiplying new materials for potential redistribution regionally. In the meantime, CIAT will continue the production of training and instructional materials as well as recommendations for adaptation of the system to differing climates. Group photos Page 14 of 17 Page 15 of 17 Annex I. Workshop participant list No Name Country Institution Sex 1 Mr. Kuy Hout Cambodia DDG-GDA M 2 Dr. Ny Vuthy Cambodia DDG-GDA M 3 Dr. Mak Chanratana Cambodia Deputy director, Department of Crop Seed-GDA M 4 Mr. Thiv Vanthy Cambodia Director of DoIC-GDA M 5 Mrs .Kan Sopha Cambodia DoIC-GDA F 6 Mr. Meng Rithea Cambodia DoIC-GDA M 7 Mrs. Din Lami Cambodia DoIC-GDA F 8 Mr. San Sina Cambodia DoIC-GDA M 9 Mr. Soung Soth Cambodia Station manager-GDA M 10 Mr. Nit Ti Cambodia PPSP-GDA M 11 Mr. Lor Bunna Cambodia Director of CARDI M 12 Dr. Orn Chhourn Cambodia PB-CARDI M 13 Mr. Run Sophannara Cambodia Deputy director BMC-PDAFF M 14 Mr. Eang Thorgun Cambodia Officer, BMC-PDAFF M 15 Mr. Taing Chipheng Cambodia Stung Treng-PDAFF M 16 Mr. Chhem That Cambodia Preah Vihear-PDAFF M 17 Mr. Dok Savoeun Cambodia Tboung Khmum-PDAFF M 18 Mr. Sim Thavirak Cambodia Director, Kampong Cham-PDAFF M 19 Mr. Sok Lyda Cambodia Otdar Meanchey-PDAFF M 20 Mr. In Sovanmony Cambodia Deputy director, Battambang-PDAFF M 21 Mr. Kao Samphors Cambodia Pailin-PDAFF M 22 Mr. Chou Chansethya Cambodia Kratie-PDAFF M 23 Mr. Chho Bengkung Cambodia Deputy director, Kampong Thom-PDAFF M 24 Mr. Soeung Phousana Cambodia CAPRED M 25 Mr. Kang Phalla Cambodia GIZ-KH M 26 Ms. Seang Sreymom Cambodia CARDEC/DALRM-GDA F 27 Ms. Chea Kimorn Cambodia CESAIN (CIRAD) F 28 Mr. Hok Kimthourn Cambodia CASDP/MAFF M 29 Mr. Kim Sarun Cambodia CASDP-advisor M 30 Ms. Toyama Haruko Cambodia JICA-Cambodia F 31 Mr. Kong Rada Cambodia CIRAD M 32 Ms. Nhan Pham Vietnam HLARC F 33 Mr. Tung Vietnam HLARC M 34 Mr. Ngọc Tuấn Lê Vietnam AGI M 35 Dr. Nguyen Van Minh Vietnam Tay Nguyen University M 36 Ms. Cu Thi Le Thuy Vietnam CIAT F 37 Mr. Laothao Youabee Lao PDR CIAT M 38 Mr. Saythong Oudthachit Lao PDR NAFRI M 39 Dr. Jonathan Newby Lao PDR CIAT M 40 Mr. Erik Delaquis Lao PDR CIAT M 41 Mr. Sok Sophearith Cambodia CIAT M 42 Mr. Soeung Kem Cambodia TUCD M 43 Mr. Khlot Chhiang Y Cambodia Secretary Cassava association Battambang M 44 Mr. Heng Try Cambodia President, Kampong Thom, Cassava Ass. M 45 Mr. Sam Thok Yann Cambodia Stem Trader, Banteay Meanchey, Cambodia M 46 Mr. Chhoeng Menghung Cambodia Stem Trader, Banteay Meanchey, Cambodia M 47 Mr. El Chhinh Cambodia Farmer, OtdorMeanchey M 48 Mr. Chheang Sovanney Cambodia Farmer, OtdorMeanchey M 49 Mr. Kreouy Saren Cambodia Multiplication farmer BMC M 50 Mr. Seong Sokhan Cambodia Key farmer (Stem multiplier, Kratie) M 51 Mr. Ly Kimsuy Cambodia Key farmer (Stem multiplier, Kampong Thom) M 52 Mr.Van Nareth Cambodia Cassava multiplicaiton farmer, Otdor Meanchey M 53 Ms. Rorg Sareoub Cambodia Cassava multiplicaiton farmer, Otdor Meanchey F 54 Mr. Sao Sokun Cambodia Trader of cassava planting material, Stung Treng M Page 16 of 17 Annex II. Workshop agenda. Time Topic Presenter 8:30–9:00 Registration Mr. Sophearith Sok (CIAT) 9:00–9:10 Welcome and Introduction Dr. Jonathan Newby (CIAT) 9:10–9:20 Inauguration speech by GDA Deputy Director & opening the Dr. Kuy Huot (GDA) workshop 9:20–9:40 Update on overall project activities Dr. Jonathan Newby (CIAT) 9:40–10:00 Importance of clean planting material for cassava production Mr. Erik Delaquis (CIAT) in the region and rapid multiplication 10:00–10:20 Update on breeding activities and multilocation trails in Ms. Cu Thi Le Thuy (CIAT) Vietnam 10:20–10:30 Discussion and Questions 10:30–10:50 Coffee Break 10:50–11:10 Introduction and multiplication of CMD resistant and disease- Dr Orn Chhourn (CARDI) free mother plants at CARDI 11:10-11:25 SATREPs seed system development Ms. Toyama Haruko (JICA) 11:25-11:40 Rapid multiplication of cassava stems in Lao PDR Mr. Saythong Oudthachit (NAFRI) 11:40–12:00 Rapid Multiplication of Cassava by Tunnel System in Daklak, Ass. Prof. Dr. Nguyễn Văn Vietnam Minh (TNU) 12:00–1:00 Lunch 1:00–1:20 GIZ CRAS TUCD cassava planting material supply service and Mr. Phalla Kang (GIZ KH) Healthy cassava planting material business model of Mr. Saren GIZ 1:20–1:40 Insights into conservation agriculture Mr Kong Rada (CIRAD) 1:40–2:10 Panel Discussion and Q&A All speakers 2:00–2:20 Plan for Group Work after coffee 2:20–2:40 Coffee break 2:40–3:30 Group discussion • Introduction of new genetic resources from breeding programs • Production of disease-free mother plants • Multi-location evaluations and release of new varieties • Rapid multiplication tunnels • Farmer/trader entrepreneurs linking to farmers Mandates and responsibilities Internal resources and capacity Donor projects and resources available Capacity needs Next steps 3:30–4:00 Groups report back; final discussion and action points Page 17 of 17