Established in 1910 as an Imperial Entomological Committee in England and earning membership of the old Commonwealth Countries, it was renamed as the Commonwealth Agricultural Bureaux (CAB). Thereafter, with the passage of time, British colonies attained independence and these newly emerged countries were also enlisted as members of CAB. In 1986 of the last century CAB was renamed as CAB International and is now owned by 48 Commonwealth countries. It is a non-profit inter-Governmental Organization based in Slough. At present CAB is headquartered in Wallingford - 50 miles off London, in Oxfordshire. CABI has now offices around the world, including USA, Switzerland, Pakistan, Malaysia and Africa.
At the beginning in 1910, one Field Entomologist was posted to East Africa and another to West Africa to collect and study injuries inflicted by insects to man, crops and animals. CABI undertakes a variety of projects worldwide addressing agricultural and environmental issues; besides focusing on commodities, invasive species and scientific communication. It sets up the combined biological control and mycology skills for the CABI scientists with pesticide application and host pathogen ecology.
The most important role is played by its scientific publications. CABI helps fund scientific research and projects on areas like agriculture, plant sciences, veterinary sciences, environmental science, food, nutrition, etc. All scientific publications originated from CABI head office in Wallingford. After a period of over a century, CABI has developed into a truly international research organization and has become a solid scientific research base in the subjects as discussed ibid.
The Governing Board of CABI is the Review Conference of the member countries, which reviews CABI's work program every two to three years (earlier it was 5 years) and determines its broad policies and strategies. An Executive Committee Council meets twice a year to monitor implementation of Review Conference Resolutions.
During his two terms of posting (1973 - 1976 and 1983 - 1988) in The Bangladesh High Commission, London the author had represented Bangladesh on the Executive Council for 4 years and once attended the Review Conference held in 1985 at the Church Hall adjacent to West Minister Abbey. While the CABI took up the project of its new Headquarters in Wallingford, Executive Council used to hold meetings quite frequently to expedite the execution of the projects - these meetings were hosted by the different High Commissions. Eventually, the new Head Quarters was declared open by Prince Charles in 1967. Prior to the inauguration ceremony the Prince visited the Council Hall and met all Council Members including the author and exchanged nice words combined with wits.
The Chairperson, in those days, was the agricultural scientist Dr. Mayer, an amenable person of excellent disposition. The Director General Mr. Don Mentz was also an agricultural scientist and a good administrator.
Author's experience of attending the Review Conference was unique in the sense that it had afforded an opportunity for exchange of views and good interactions with representatives and observers; while being a member of one of the many sub-Committees. Apart from representatives of member countries, a good number of observers drawn from non-members countries also attended the conference. It transpired from discussions with many representatives that every one of them was well versed with CABI's status as a Research Organization par excellence. When the author Director General of Plant Protection and the Deputy Director General of Animal Husbandry, both of them spoke high of CABI's contribution to agricultural revolution in India and both of them with folded hands said "We worship this Organization."
Following the Review Conference, the author broached an idea at the Council meeting that Director General may occasionally visit members countries vulnerable to pest control and other hazards both in Plant Protection and Animal Husbandry and encourage them to remain in touch with CABI on problems relating to the issues discussed. Bangladesh was chosen as his first country to visit.
The CABI houses a collection of 28000 fungi samples from around the world. It uses this resource to carry out microbial identification, preservations, patenting, training and consultancy. The whole range of CABI activities can be viewed by clicking "CABI" and "CABCD".
During this author's terms of attachment in the Bangladesh High Commission, London, he represented Bangladesh in the various inter-Governmental and international organizations namely Commonwealth Secretariat, International Maritime organization (IMO), International Sugar Organization (ISO), International Tea Committee (ITC), CABI, the professional organizations and enjoyed the privilege of presenting papers and proposals relevant to the interest of Bangladesh and took part in the deliberations too. It was author's misfortune, that he had no occasion to raise any issue relating to Plant Protection, Animal Husbandry, Veterinary or crops control hazards at the CABI's Laboratories. Now the scope to know things is wide open with the introduction of IT system. Even then, international exposure of agriculture Scientists to an organization like CABI help enrich their scientific knowledge to the ultimate benefit of furthering agricultural development in Bangladesh.
ABM Ahsanullah, ex Commercial Secretary, Bangladesh High Commission, London, can be reached at email: [email protected]
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