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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...

With the ten year anniversary of the devastating Indian Ocean Tsunami just weeks away, representatives from ASEAN member countries are assessing the lessons they’ve learned and action taken since then to increase the resilience of agricultural livelihoods to natural disasters. Several countries of the ASEAN region were among the hardest hit by the 26 December 2004 tsunami, particularly Indonesia’s Aceh province. In total, across the region, hundreds of thousands lost their...

The obstacles blocking women from more equal and accessible participation in the food and agriculture sectors should be removed to empower rural women and help the Asia-Pacific region achieve its food security needs, an FAO convened meeting heard today. While the work of women makes up some 43 percent of agricultural inputs, they lag far behind in reaching their full potential or remuneration for their labours in comparison with men in...