There is a huge difference between the ARD framework and focus that exists in Europe and Asia. However these differences (such as small holder farmers, impact of globalization and distancing market, locale specific ability to generate food and nutrition) are often overlooked by the Institutional mechanisms of ARD in order to standardize approaches of research. Though we have been talking of "re-orienting" ARD, it still fails to recognize continuing stakeholder consultations as the driver for ARD and agriculture education. Though the emerging market cannot be ignored, the need for food and nutrition are far more demanding in Asia. A fine balance between feeding those who starves and the market economy is hard to achieve; and without such balance ARD outputs would always be lop-sided.
The complexity that is emerging all over the world, including Europe (...looking at the recent economic crises) cannot be overcome unless ARD broadens its horizon, analyses both consumer markets and dire needs; and finally accepts locale specific understanding and adaption as its ONLY focus.
Finally ARD systems in Asia cannot only focus on only productivity today, as productivity merges with land rights, health issues and even corruption. Looking a little further through the ARD window, we find ourselves juggling with a number of fluid parameters beyond productivity and markets; Asia's only and strongest return to Europe could be (and should be) the learning that prepares ourselves for future that does not look so bright right at this point. ARD, is an institution that addresses the first need of human civilization- food, yet fails to set up examples for other faculties. How many of our publications are legible to a common man's vocabulary and understanding of "agriculture"? And not to forget, that common man is a farmer.
The platform could be an unique "value addition" to look at the systemic understanding of agriculture- to put back culture in production, to intrigue (and not just encourage) the youth to take up profession of food production, to redirect their energy to implementation rather than publication.
This platform could offer Europe a unique and systemic understanding of social fabric and its modulation with external parameters, be it market, be it Climate Change, be it Youth issues. More than anything, it gives us the opportunity to learn together in a world that is ever more so connected.
