GFRAS Events

3rd GFRAS Annual Meeting, Philippines 2012

The Role of Rural Advisory Services in Agricultural Innovation Systems

26-28 September 2012, Manila, Philippines

 Shared position on RAS role in AIS - meeting conclusions (pdf 248KB)

Minutes (pdf 1MB)

 Programme (pdf, 90KB) 
Side events: APIRAS meeting, Farmers' Experiences, Gender in RAS, Extension Policies

 Participants list (pdf, 319KB)

Find the presentations below

The 3rd Annual Meeting of the Global Forum for Rural Advisory Services (GFRAS) took place on 26-28 September at The Heritage Hotel, Manila, the Philippines, hosted by the Asia-Pacific Islands Rural Advisory Services (APIRAS) Network. The meeting  contributed to thematic exchange on rural advisory services (RAS) and gave participants the opportunity to discuss GFRAS strategic directions and functioning. Exchange and learning took place in plenary and parallel sessions, group discussions, and a field trip (tentative date: 27 September).

Objectives of the meeting

The objectives of the 3rd GFRAS Annual Meeting were:

1. Understand and agree on the role of RAS in agricultural innovation systems (AIS)
2. Strengthen RAS networks for results-oriented activities
3. Update participants on progress in GFRAS

Main agenda items

The role of rural advisory services in agricultural innovation systems

In reaction to a changing political, social, and economic environment, RAS increasingly play a knowledge, service provision, and brokering role in AIS, helping actors such as farmer organisations, market players, research, and education to improve their activities and linkages. The 3rd GFRAS Annual Meeting will focus on how RAS contribute to success in AIS. Participants will discuss the importance of RAS, their role in the AIS, how this role can be adjusted to changing realities, capacities needed by individuals, organisations, and extension systems to perform this role, and which incentives and enabling environment are required.

RAS fora: Strengthening networking for results

GFRAS and regional RAS networks are engaged in exchange of experiences, creation of partnerships with AIS actors, and awareness raising on the importance of RAS. The RAS fora will discuss how their networking and collaboration can strengthen the role of RAS in AIS and rural development. Cross-regional sharing of experience and lessons learnt will support RAS fora in their future activities.

Progress reporting on GFRAS activities

As the central GFRAS event for discussing strategic directions and functioning, the meeting will be a space for progress reporting and planning. Recommendations to GFRAS and regional RAS fora from the 2nd GFRAS Annual Meeting in 2011 in Kenya and the Nairobi Declaration will be followed up. The GFRAS working groups and secretariat will present activities and results generated in 2012. Key documents will be validated.

New approaches and issues of interest in RAS

Participants had the opportunity to share and discuss their own experience with peers during a share fair. This session was not focused on a specific theme, but rather helped to identify new areas of interest and interaction. It contributed to sharing of information and the creation of links and partnerships between participants.

 Announcement (pdf 161KB)
 Flyer (pdf, 533KB)