During the final phase of the workshop, participants worked in small groups, each group focussing on a key issue. They discussed what needed to be done to improve the current situation, and then developed action plans detailing objectives, what has to be done by when, and who will take responsibility for implementing the plans.
In the parthenium workshop, participants formed five groups to examine policy, research, extension and training needs for the priority options identified in the previous session. Options for management in areas of isolated infestations were separated into two sets, eradication and prevention of spread. Education was identified as an important option by all groups during the previous session, so it was separated as a specific topic to avoid duplication of effort. Major changes in management were identified as necessary by the pastures group, so this was retained as a topic. The cropping group had identified education as the major factor needed for improved management, so cropping was not addressed specifically. Given the key role identified for biological control and uncertainty about future directions in this area, one group was assigned this issue.
Thus the topics for the five groups were:
