Eight-point ASEAN programme to climate-proof agri-food unveiled in Malaysia

The ASEAN-CGIAR Innovate for Food and Nutrition Security Regional Program was officially launched during the 45th Meeting of the ASEAN Ministers on Agriculture and Forestry (AMAF) in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia earlier this month.

CGIAR has been working with the ASEAN Secretariat, ASEAN Member States, and a range of funding and other partners to develop this multi-year research and innovation programme.

"Over the next 10 years, the program envisions delivering better livelihoods for food producers and stakeholders, while ensuring affordable, nutritious, and healthy food for consumers. Additionally, it seeks to foster a healthier natural environment for all," according to Dr. Jongsoo Shin, the ASEAN-CGIAR Regional Program Director.

Dr. Stephan Weise, ASEAN-CGIAR Program Co-Director, emphasised that "the program aims to be bottom-up, cross and trans-disciplinary. It is being co-created and, therefore, is fully co-owned by ASEAN partners."

Under the scheme, the following eight intervention packages were developed:

•            Regenerative Agriculture/Aquaculture Practices and Judicious Agrochemical Use

•            Climate Neutrality and Circular Agriculture

•            Enhancing ASEAN Agrobiodiversity Use and Landscape Biodiversity

•            Enhancing Value Chains and Regional Trade

•            Transboundary Pests and Diseases

•            Private Sector Investment and Sustainable Financing

•            Farmer-Led Irrigation for Climate-Resilient Agri-Food Systems

•            Food Systems Transformation for More Nutritious and Healthy Diets

H.E. Datuk Seri Mohamad Sabu, Minister of Agriculture and Food Security, Malaysia, who is also the AMAF Chair, extended his gratitude to CGIAR for developing the Intervention Packages (IPs) that are in line with the 9 thematic areas to address comprehensively, the needs of the country's food, land and water systems.

He stressed that the ASEAN-CGIAR Regional Program "underscores the dedication and commitment of AMS towards achieving a competitive, inclusive, resilient, and sustainable food and agriculture sector in our region."

H.E. Dr. Kao Kim Hourn, the Secretary General of ASEAN, added that the programme is "formulated to address the above-mentioned challenges by leveraging cutting-edge research, technology, and innovation that enhance the resilience of the agricultural system. With eight intervention packages, the Programme will catalyse transformative change, enabling us to adapt to the evolving needs of our region, particularly with the impact of climate change."

Representing the Asian Development Bank, Dr. Md. Abul Basher said the programme and the bank share the same cause of "addressing the issues concerning food and nutrition insecurity in the evolving environment." He shared that ADB is already in discussion with ASEAN and CGIAR teams on "how to work out the most appropriate way to support this programme."