TARASA25 Advances Agroecology and Regenerative Agriculture Across Asia-Pacific

TARASA25 gathers 230 researchers, farmers, policymakers, youth leaders, civil society, and private-sector representatives from 20 countries across Asia-Pacific. Together, participants explore how agroecological and regenerative practices can transform food systems toward greater resilience, equity, and sustainability. The event is organized by the LICA (Lao Facilitated-Initiative on Agroecology for ASEAN), is supported by the Lao Ministry of Agriculture and Environment, in collaboration with key regional and international partners, and is financed by Agence Française de Développement, European Union, and French Facility for Global Environment.

Key highlights include:

● Engaging plenary sessions, thematic workshops, and policy dialogues addressing transitions to agroecology and regenerative agriculture.
● A regional call for abstracts to showcase innovative field practices, research findings, and policy approaches.
● Networking events foster collaboration across countries, sectors, and generations.

● A pre-event on 24 November highlighting ASEAN Agroecology Guidelines.

“Today’s workshop offers an invaluable platform to advance from policy formulation to practical implementation. It provides a timely opportunity to deepen cooperation, strengthen funding mechanisms, enhance public–private collaboration, and identify concrete actions to accelerate the scaling of agroecology and regenerative agricultural systems across the region.” said H.E Dr. Saynakhone Inthavong, Vice-Minister of the Ministry of Agriculture and Environment, Lao PDR at the event opening.

Emphasizing on the support of France behind this regional effort, H.E Mrs. Bénédicte Deschamps mentioned “The transition towards agroecology agri-food systems has demonstrated its effectiveness over the past decades and is now embracing global recognition. We will continue to strengthen this momentum by promoting the integration of agroecological practices and research both within projects and across broader policy frameworks”.

“Agroecology is essential for Lao PDR’s green growth path. It improves soil health, biodiversity, and climate resilience while reducing chemical dependence and strengthening rural livelihoods. TARASA25 brings these efforts together, connecting farmers, researchers, policymakers, and the private sector to turn policy commitments into real practice.” remarked H.E Mr. Mark Gallagher, Ambassador of the EU to Lao PDR.

Pioneering the work in agroecology across Southeast Asia, the ASSET project stresses the importance of convening a regional platform to push toward achieving more impact. “We want the food and agricultural systems in Southeast Asia to be safer, more sustainable, and more inclusive. We place agroecology in the center of that transformation. Through ASSET, we are collaboratively building solutions that prove this evolution is feasible. TARASA25 is an essential platform to scale these solutions across Southeast Asia.” underlined Marie-Christine Lebret, ASSET General Coordinator, GRET.

“Advancing agroecology transitions in the region still requires placing farmers at the centre, co-designing locally driven innovation processes, valuing diverse forms of knowledge, and renewing research approaches that are forward-looking, context-specific, and solution-oriented. Scaling up these processes calls for stronger links between research, education, and extension services; enhancing knowledge exchange and multi-stakeholder networks; promoting interventions across scales from farm to fork, with stronger engagement at territorial level; and feeding evidence into policy dialogue and formulation.” noted Dr. Mélanie Blanchard, ASSET Scientific Coordinator, CIRAD.

TARASA25 serves as a regional platform for learning, partnership-building, and joint action toward a shared vision of sustainable agriculture and food systems in the Asia-Pacific.

Why this matters

Food and agriculture systems across the Asia‐Pacific are facing mounting pressures from climate change, biodiversity loss, inequality and shifting consumer demands. Transitioning to agroecological and regenerative frameworks offers a pathway to address these challenges — promoting ecological health, social equity and economic resilience. TARASA25 provides a platform where multi-stakeholder voices converge to accelerate this transformation.

Agroecology in Asia and the Pacific is increasingly recognized as a strategic pathway to build climate-resilient, equitable, and sustainable food systems. Governments across the region are adopting policies that promote diversified farming, farmer knowledge, and nature-based solutions to address land degradation, rural livelihoods, and food security.

TARASA25 Co-organisers
● Conservation Agriculture and Sustainable Intensification Consortium (CASIC)
● ASSET (Agroecology and Safe Food System Transitions) Project
● CIRAD
● GRET
● Agroecology Coalition
● Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO)
● Centre for Sustainable Agricultural Mechanization (CSAM)
● Agroecology TPP
● Innovation for Sustainable Agriculture
● Swisscontact

https://www.tarasa25.org/