ERIA Contributes to ASEAN Agricultural Strategy Discussions

Bangkok, 26-28 November 2024: ERIA participated in the 'Taskforce Meeting to Discuss the Future Strategy of Food, Agriculture, and Forestry in ASEAN,' held in Bangkok, Thailand. Hosted by the ASEAN Secretariat, the event marked a critical step in shaping the region's agricultural future.

The taskforce meeting followed the 46th Meeting of ASEAN Ministers on Agriculture and Forestry in October 2023, where the development of the ASEAN Vision for Agriculture: Towards 2045 was endorsed as a Priority Economic Deliverable (PED) under Malaysia's ASEAN Chairmanship in 2025. Over 100 participants, including government officials from ASEAN Member States (AMS), Timor-Leste, and Japan, along with representatives from international organisations such as CGIAR, IFPRI, and ERIA, convened to review the progress of the current Vision and Strategic Plan for ASEAN Cooperation in Food, Agriculture, and Forestry (FAF) 2016-2025 and shape the next phase of ASEAN's agricultural strategy.

Key Discussions and ERIA's Contributions

The 3-day meeting featured plenary sessions, sub-sectoral group discussions on food, crops, livestock, fisheries, and forestry, as well as presentations by development partners. Participants engaged in formulating two crucial documents:

1. ASEAN Vision for Agriculture: Towards 2045
2. Food, Agriculture, and Forestry Sectoral Plan 2026-2030

Representing ERIA, Senior Policy Fellow Masanori Kozono and Policy Fellow Dr Kentaro Yamada contributed insights based on ERIA's ongoing research. During an information-sharing session, Dr Yamada presented findings on reducing crop burning, highlighting the importance of integrating schemes for technology adoption and financial support. He discussed expected technologies, barriers to their implementation, and potential solutions derived from a recent questionnaire survey, offering actionable recommendations for sustainable agricultural practices.

Looking Ahead

The two key strategic documents, including the ASEAN Vision for Agriculture: Towards 2045, are set for discussion, drafting, and revision over the coming months, with final adoption planned during the ASEAN Ministerial Meeting on Agriculture and Forestry (AMAF) in 2025. ERIA will continue to support this process through active engagement and research contributions, ensuring a collaborative and evidence-based approach to ASEAN's agricultural development.