Reducing food insecurity, vulnerability and undernutrition is central to the achievement of the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) and the World Food Summit (WFS) targets. Commitments from the national governments to address the problems of food and nutrition security and in designing a clear strategy for achieving these goals remain a major challenge. The FAO publication The State of Food and Agriculture in Asia and the Pacific 2006 shows that the nutritional status in Asia-Pacific has improved considerably. However, the incidence of underweight, stunting and wasting in the region is still among the highest in the world.
FAO emphasizes that food-based approaches are one of the most sustainable ways to improve the nutritional status of the people. Agricultural-based strategies continue to be the key to poverty reduction and nutrition improvement of rural-based economies in the developing world. Better development of agricultural resources and strengthened nutrition orientation to food production can improve food supplies, employment and incomes, thereby providing access to diversified and nutritious diets. Even among low-income households, diets can be improved by adjusting agricultural production and suitably combining foods that are locally available.
Agricultural policies in Asia largely emphasize production of cereals and do not attach sufficient importance to production of fruits and vegetables. In other words, they do not take micronutrient implications in the diet into consideration. It is therefore important that nutrition considerations are seriously integrated into agriculture, livestock, aquaculture and related programmes so that a balanced diet is available and the nutritional status of the population can improve and thus contribute in achieving the MDGs and WFS targets.
The Asia Pacific Network for Food and Nutrition (ANFN) has undertaken an important initiative through this Regional Expert Consultation to highlight the role of the agriculture sector in promoting food and nutrition activities and to review the current status of availability of diversified foods for a balanced diet in some countries in Asia.
This report provides a summary of the presentations and discussions on policies and programmes on nutrition orientation to food production in some countries of the Asian region. It also takes note of the national activities related to the International Conference on Nutrition (ICN) and the World Food Summit: five years later follow up. Outcomes of the working groups and recommendations for FAO and country action to promote incorporation of nutrition objectives and considerations into national agricultural policies and programmes are also included.
It is hoped that this document will serve as a useful reference for countries in the region to promote nutrition orientation to food production in the context of achieving the MDGs.
He Changchui
Assistant Director-General
and Regional Representative
Regional Office for Asia and the Pacific
