Boosting ASEAN agricultural value chains: A focus on regional trade

Bangkok, Thailand (February 23, 2024) – A workshop was held to address the critical issue of enhancing agricultural value chains and regional trade within ASEAN. Co-organized by the International Food Policy Research Institute (IFPRI) and the Mekong Institute (MI), the event brought together a distinguished assembly of researchers, policymakers, and industry leaders from over 20 institutions across more than 10 countries.

The workshop served as a platform to share insights, identify challenges, and chart a course for future collaboration in bolstering the agricultural sector’s contribution to regional prosperity. Dr. Joseph Arbiol, Head of the Food, Agriculture, and Forestry Division of the ASEAN Secretariat, Dr. Pongthai Thaiyotin, Deputy Director General of the Agricultural Department of the Ministry of Agriculture and Cooperatives of Thailand, and Dr. Jongsoo Shin, Director of the ASEAN-CGIAR Food and Nutrition Security Innovation Regional Program, were in attendance, underscoring the event’s significance.

Dr. Kevin Chen, a leading expert in the field and the convener of Intervention Package 4 of the ASEAN-CGIAR Food and Nutrition Security Innovation Regional Program, provided a comprehensive overview of the program’s goals and achievements. Dr. Mao Rui, Deputy Director of the Zhejiang University-IFPRI Joint Research Center for International Development, presented the project’s progress in 2023, highlighting key milestones and accomplishments.

The workshop featured insightful presentations from renowned experts, including Dr. Glenn B. Gregorio of Southeast Asian Regional Center for Graduate Study and Research in Agriculture., Dr. Prasun Kumar Das of Asia-Pacific Rural and Agricultural Credit Association, and Dr. Suriyan Vichitlekarn of MI. Their discussions on regional value chain assessment, agricultural financing, and cross-border trade offered valuable perspectives on the opportunities and challenges facing the ASEAN region.

A dedicated session focused on country-specific experiences and challenges, with representatives from Cambodia, Indonesia, Myanmar, Laos, and Vietnam sharing their insights. Key policymakers, including Dr. Mak Soeun from Cambodia, Dr. Adi Setiyanto from Indonesia, Mr. Kyaw Swe Lin from Myanmar, Mr. Alounxay Onta from Laos, and Dr. Dao The Anh from Vietnam, provided firsthand accounts of their countries’ agricultural landscapes and trade priorities.

These presentations underscored the diverse challenges and opportunities within the region, highlighting the need for tailored approaches and regional cooperation. Dr. Fred Unger of the International Livestock Research Institute emphasized the importance of addressing food safety, sustainability, and resilience in the context of agricultural value chains.

The workshop concluded with a roundtable discussion, moderated by Dr. Suresh Babu from IFPRI, where participants engaged in an interactive exchange of ideas on standards, barriers, and policies related to regional trade integration. The event marked a significant milestone, laying the groundwork for Intervention Package 4 of the ASEAN-CGIAR program, which aims to strengthen agricultural value chains and regional trade from 2024 to 2027.