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Foreword

After two decades of rapid economic growth, five of the most economically dynamic countries namely South Korea, Thailand, Philippines, Indonesia and Malaysia of East and Southeast Asia entered a period of serious economic and financial crisis in 1997.

This recent crisis has further emphasized the critical role of agriculture on the road to economic recovery. There is an increased pressure on domestic food production and supply to meet the needs of a growing population. Our current and achievable challenge, therefore, is to build upon and accelerate the progress registered in the region to ensure safe, secure and nutritious food for the future.

This publication was prepared to enhance Asian prospects for achieving nutritional security beyond 2000 by serving as a catalyst for further and sustained actions. It is part of a series of publications being prepared by FAO Regional Office staff for dissemination to planners, policy makers, concerned professionals and others citizens with a view to enhance the focus and effectiveness of information and communication related to the overall mandate and programme priorities of FAO in the Asia-Pacific region.

Looking at the long-term and in a broader regional context, the demand-driven Livestock Revolution in Asia is fueled by population growth, urbanization, and income growth. By 2020, these forces will dwarf the effects of the 1997 financial crisis in Asia. There are many reasons for being optimistic about future livestock demand in Asia.

Given that intensification of livestock production will continue, there is a need for the public sector to address the consequences. The role of the public sector is essentially to facilitate employment and income generating activities in an environmentally sound livestock industry producing safe quality products.

It is in this spirit that this Working Paper on "Asian Livestock to the year 2000 and beyond" is being produced. We realize that this is not the last word on the subject, and invite your valuable comments and observations on the Working Paper. These will encourage and guide the author to finalize the publication in due course. I trust the publication will prove to be a useful guide towards longer term, more sustainable policies and the means to optimize use of national resources.

Dr. Prem Nath
Assistant Director General
and Regional Representative
for Asia and the Pacific

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