An international seminar on Restructuring and Strengthening Research and Development (R&D) for Agricultural Engineering was held in Beijing, China from 27-28 April 2007. More than 50 experts from the Ministry of Agriculture, Agricultural Research Institutes and Academia, Agricultural Machinery Associations and the private sector from 11 member countries attended the Seminar. The participants reviewed the current status of R&D on Agricultural Engineering (AE) in the region, exchanged views on how to restructure and strengthen AE R&D in line with the rapid development of agricultural science and technology.

APCAEM presented the major findings of the four research papers prepared by international experts, and the current status of AE development in select member countries; the status of R&D of AE in China; a case study on China’s restructuring in science and technology, and an overview report. Nine country status papers were also presented by experts from Bangladesh, India, Indonesia, Pakistan, the Philippines, China, the Republic of Korea, Sri Lanka, and Thailand. During the concluding session, the participants formulated policy recommendations, strategy and programmes on strengthening and restructuring agricultural engineering and technology for commercial- oriented R&D.