A study on “Eco-certified Natural Rubber from Sustainable Rubber Agroforestry in Sumatra, Indonesia,” has just recently been concluded by the World Agroforestry Centre – ICRAF SEA Program Office. 

The latest issue of IFAD Newsletter 'Making a difference in Asia and the Pacific' focuses on adaptation of climate change. Some examples of IFAD’s work on adaptation in the region are presented, including the work of RUPES (Asia) and PRESA (Africa), two research projects on environmental service coordinated by the World Agroforestry Centre under the support of IFAD.

An article about RUPES Program was published some time ago on the Rural Poverty Portal. Powered by the International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD), the Rural Poverty Portal is a website where rural poor people, policy-makers, donors, research institutes, non-governmental organizations and other development partners can share information about eradicating rural poverty.

The editors’ introductory article to the latest issue of the International Journal of the Commons (IJC) indicated that the journey is still a long one to arrive at claiming environmental services payment/reward mechanisms to favor both the poor and the environment. It is not to say there is no hope but one needs to be aware of the many aspects to consider when using the scheme to achieve conservation and livelihood goals.

In line with the increasing interest in payment for environmental services (PES) for natural resources management, the International Centre for Integrated Mountain Development (ICIMOD) in collaboration with the World Agroforestry Centre (ICRAF) Southeast Asia Regional Program organized a training on Rapid Hydrological Appraisal (RHA) and Rapid Carbon Stock Appraisal (RaCSA) tools. The training was hosted by ICIMOD and conducted from October 26th – 30th 2009 in Hotel View Bhrikuti, Godavari, Nepal.