Regional Training Workshop on Biological Control, 25 February-2 March 2013, Bangkok, Thailand

Asia Pacific Plant Protection Commission (APPPC) in collaboration with the Government of Thailand organized a Regional Training Workshop on Biological Control from 25 February-2 March 2013 in Bangkok, Thailand. The workshop was organized in line with the work plan of APPPC Standing Committee on IPM for enhancement of regional collaboration on biological control matters. It not only provided the participants with updated information and Thailand’s practical experience in BC, but also provided an opportunity to review concepts and principles of BC, share experiences in each participating country as well as to discuss opportunities and challenges for production and sustainable application of BCA in the context of IPM strategies. Meanwhile participants discussed best options for better access and application of BC by IPM farmers, which includes the techniques on mass rearing in the laboratory and releases under field conditions with follow-up field monitoring and evaluation of their effectiveness as well as development of the training capacity among IPM facilitators in identifying specific BCA (parasitoids, predators and microbial) for management of specific. It is expected that the regional network of information exchange and collaboration for promotion of biological control be established by inclusion of all participants who may start to provide update development, issues and challenges to the APPPC website.