An important step towards reducing the vulnerability of wheat in Africa and Asia to the Ug99 race of the stem rust pathogen is the substitution of current susceptible varieties with superior resistant varieties. In the 2008-2009 cropping season both seed multiplication and dissemination of Ug99 resistant varieties were initiated in Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Egypt, Ethiopia, Iran, India, Nepal and Pakistan. Ug99 resistant varieties must occupy about 5% of the area sown to wheat in each country to ensure sufficient seed to displace current popular varieties. Because of the underdeveloped seed industry and small farm sizes in most of these countries, various strategies are being applied for rapid multiplication and dissemination of resistant varieties. Approaches being used include pre-release seed multiplication while candidate resistant lines are being tested in national evaluation trials and farmer participatory selection. Resistant varieties are already released in Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Egypt and Pakistan and more varieties are expected to be released in 2010 in these and other countries. Our results show that some new Ug99 resistant lines have yield superiority over dominant local varieties. Activities and progress in seed multiplication using existing and new Ug99 resistant varieties are discussed.

Abstract-The service delivery efficiency by local authorities is one of the key elements in developing the livable cities. The involvement of local communities in measuring the efficiency of service delivery as a primary source of information should be practiced by all local authorities. However, local authorities are more likely to choose only some of the information given by the local community to improve the services delivery efficiency. This may be due to the low-level of involvement by local community for the dissemination of information to local authorities. This scenario will cause a conflict between local authorities and local communities. Local authorities should take into account the local communities view in measuring the service delivery efficiencies to create the livable cities. This study is important to assess the level of community involvement in sustainable urban development process. This study will identify the importance of community involvement in measuring the public service delivery. This study was conducted interviews among 360 respondents in Manjung and Kerian District in Perak. This study found that the level of involvement among the local communities in disseminating information to local authorities is still low.