In East Asia and the Pacific region the decline in arable land area is aggravated by conversion of agricultural land into other uses and a series of soil degradation processes. Consequently, arable soil losses and decline in crop productivity for the ever increasing population as well as off-site pollution effects associated with erosion has been burden to agricultural and environmental sectors in the region. IAEA/RCA has supported Member States with soil investigation technologies to increase and sustain crop productivity in the region since 2002. The final review meeting on the IAEA/RCA agricultural productivity project will be held in Manila, Philippines in 14-19 March 2005.
The final review meeting will review and evaluate achievements of the previous programme and lessons learned from its implementation. Moreover, work plan of the 2005-2006 will be discussed and updated. Under this newly developed programme, emphasis will be made on the interactions between soil erosion and soil quality, and on the positive effects of soil conservation practices in terms of soil and water quality. It is expected that accomplishment of the project and collection of success stories from the application of radioisotope technology for research activities will further improve regional capacity to produce sufficient food.

For further information, write to Dr. Elvira Z. SOMBRITO at ezsombrito@pnri.dost.gov.ph