Reverse Linkage

52 REVERSE LINKAGE and dedication in ensuring that the country’s rice sector strengthens and becomes more sustainable to further help drive the country’s development. Indeed, sustainable increase of productivity is paramount for sustainable development. Ultimately, as Brother Aminuddin Mat Ariff, IsDB’s senior capacity development specialist, who is also a member of this JCC, succinctly puts it: “IsDB creates a conducive environ- ment to enable member countries to take the lead through a peer-to-peer approach in developing a sustainable capacity development engagement through the RL modality, acting as an effective facilitator and a catalyst to promote the design of a win-win scenario for all stakeholders involved while encouraging private sector participation from inception to drive the collaboration beyond IsDB’s RL intervention.” From a grain of rice, the crop grows and multiplies. So does IsDB’s RL approach, helping to grow economies, creat- ing new bonds between people from diverse parts of the world and providing new opportunities for farmers. From left: Aminuddin Mat Ariff, senior capacity development specialist, IsDB; Anas Ahmad Nasarudin, group chief executive officer, MARDI Corporation; His Excellency Soeresh Algoe, minister of LVV, Suriname; Ambassador Anwar Lall Mohamed, special advisor to the president of Suriname on development and investment matters, and also Suriname’s alternate IsDB governor Image: MARDI Corporation Production of basmathi, pandan aromatic rice and variety for brackish water farming Goal: commercial production of basmathi, pandan aromatic rice and brackish water farming Expected outputs • Commercial production • Pilot project on suitable variety • Suitable variety selected • Repeat varietal trial • Identify promising varieties • Varietal trial for basmathi, aromatic rice and brackish water suitability • Acquisition of selected promising varieties • Logistic preparation for a varietal trial via multi-location trials • Identify suitable pilot project area for basmathi, aromatic rice and brackish water farming • Technical and financial proposal Farm productivity improvement Goal: to achieve 8t/ha yield Expected outputs • Commercial upscaling • Confirmation of results • Repeat trials • Analysis of results and carrying out modifications • Research trials on recommended technology and system • Propose recommended technology and system • Logistics preparation • Identify test area for soil fertility improvement and irrigation and drainage system upgrades • Technical and financial proposal Capacity building Goal: highly trained staff Expected outputs • Breeding work to strengthen the rice industry • Initiate breeding works by the trained staff • Training of farmers by staff • International rice conference for managerial staff • 2nd group of hands-on training, 120 days • Technical visit by managerial staff, 2 weeks • Visit by managerial staff to rate the programme • Hands-on training programme, 120 days • Propose training courses • Selection of staff for different levels of training Overall goal: to strengthen the rice industry in Suriname Long term Medium term Short term Immediate action plan Source: MARDI Corporation