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Connecting agricultural production with food processing and value chain, creating jobs for women and income generating opportunities, encouraging more young people to work in agriculture and the production of more nutritious foods are critical steps for the economic and social advancement of Asia-Pacific’s least developed countries, a senior official of the UN’s Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) said today. Hiroyuki Konuma, FAO Assistant Director-General and Regional Representative for Asia and the...

Philippine farmers and fishers have felt the full force of typhoon Hagupit (locally known as Ruby) which has now swept through seven regions of the country, including the Visayas and MIMAROPA areas that were severely affected by Typhoon Haiyan 12 months ago. FAO-Representative in the Philippines, José Luis Fernandez praised the Government for its quick and timely early warnings and response to Hagupit, which included relocating livestock, pre-positioning seed stocks and...

The ten members of ASEAN have come a step closer to the establishment of a social protection floor that would benefit farmers and rural workers, a UN-sponsored ASEAN meeting heard today. During the course of the last two days, ASEAN members have been considering a plan of action to implement the ASEAN Declaration on Strengthening Social Protection which was adopted at the 23rd ASEAN Summit in 2013. The action plan aims...

Rapid economic growth and structural transformation of the economies of East and Southeast Asia have left a giant monsoon-like cloud hanging over the future of the regions’ signature rice crops, as policy-makers grapple with emerging challenges facing the region’s rice producers, according to a series of new policy notes. Rice in the Shadow of Skyscrapers: Policy choices in a dynamic East and Southeast Asian setting points out that the rice-related policies...

The Royal Thai Government has begun three days of celebrations, focusing on His Majesty King Bhumibol Adulyadej’s achievements as a soil scientist, as part of a global launch of the upcoming World Soil Day and the United Nation’s designated International Year of Soils in 2015. “On this occasion, we aim to raise awareness of both public and farmers about His Majesty’s efforts in relation to soil, about the importance of soil...

The Asia-Pacific region has taken a step forward in the development of a coordinated strategy and action plan that will lead to the sustainable intensification of aquaculture, the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) announced today. Senior government aquaculture and fisheries officials from 16 countries in the region, along with representatives of specialized organizations, the private sector and international funding agencies have agreed a regional strategy and action...

Nations in Asia and the Pacific could soon face serious political turmoil due to the looming issue of food insecurity if they don't embrace climate-smart agricultural policies and practices, a senior UN official has told a regional gathering of Asia’s top researchers and scientists. “The impacts on agriculture and food production from climate change and future population increases, especially in developing countries of Asia, are critical issues that must be addressed...