By bringing together a team of researchers from complementary sciences, the Mountain Society Research Institute can, for example, combine socio-economic analysis, hydrology, and cartography. The objective is to bring together different areas of expertise in order to analyse, understand, and contribute to the development of mountain societies in the isolated valleys of Central Asia (Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Kazakhstan), where little or no research is being conducted.
Throughout its 115 years in the region, the Aga Khan Development Network (AKDN) and its precursors have continued to innovate across the entire spectrum of development efforts.
This year, the Nation Media Group organised three virtual Seeds of Gold Farm Clinics with an aim of bridging the information gap between experts and farmers. Under the Covid-19 social distancing guidelines, farmers could not access the training centres but with televised broadcasts, they have been able to learn from the comfort of their homes on NTV. All trainings have been broadcast on television and online platforms. The third virtual Seeds of Gold Farm Clinic informed farmers that costs of treating tick-borne diseases would be significantly reduced when the National Agricultural Research Organisation releases anti-tick vaccines in 2022.
The hunger for agricultural knowledge was evident during the 20th edition of the Seeds of Gold Farm Clinic which was for the second time held virtually and live on all Nation Media Group (NMG) social media handles. The Seeds of Gold Farm Clinic, an initiative by NMG, brings together experts from the National Agricultural Research Laboratories in Kawanda (in Uganda) and Korea's Programme on International Agriculture to offer agricultural advice and to provide farmers with the skills and knowledge to maximise their output and minimise the risk of pests and diseases.
