New CropLife Asia and EU-ASEAN Business Council report highlights pathways for sustainable agriculture in Southeast Asia

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SINGAPORE (ANTARA/ACN Newswire) – CropLife Asia and the EU-ASEAN Business Council have jointly released a report on the sustainability of ASEAN food systems. The report, titled “ASEAN Food System Sustainability Report” draws on discussions at the first ASEAN Food System Sustainability Symposium held in Jakarta in November 2023. This report analyses the current challenges and opportunities facing agriculture and crop production in Southeast Asia, highlighting the need for region-specific solutions in line with global sustainability trends.

“This report is a call to action for Southeast Asian countries to ensure national agricultural strategies meet national needs and realities,” said Dr. Siang Hee Tan, Executive Director of CropLife Asia. “Achieving a secure, reliable and sustainable regional food system requires balancing increased productivity with environmental protection and the economic viability of smallholder farmers. We can and must work together to ensure that smallholder farmers in Southeast Asia have access to innovative technologies that can increase food production with fewer natural resources and less impact on the world around them.”

The report reveals the impact of population growth and rising food demand in Southeast Asia. By 2030, the region is expected to have nearly 30 million more people than the European Union. This forecast highlights the need for innovative approaches to help provide a reliable and affordable food supply. Another key finding of the report is the growing impact of climate change on the region’s agricultural sector, including reduced yields, increased risk of extreme weather events, and the continued spread of pests and diseases. These agricultural challenges are further exacerbated by the region’s unique tropical climate and soil conditions.

“We live in a world where food security, improving the nutritional value of the food we produce and raising rural incomes are all becoming increasingly important and are all equally important sustainable development measures. And we must do this while taking care of and protecting our natural environment. As this report highlights, these things can be done together and in balance,” said Chris Humphrey, Executive Director of the EU-ASEAN Business Council.

The report also provides an in-depth analysis of the export situation of major ASEAN crops and how the EU Green Deal’s strict agricultural and environmental policies are hindering the region’s productivity and sustainability. In addition, the report highlights the role and relevance of agricultural innovation in the region, including digital solutions for food distribution, training farmers in efficient agricultural techniques, and the use of gene editing and crop protection technologies.

About CropLife Asia

CropLife Asia is a not-for-profit association and regional organization of CropLife International, representing the global plant science industry. We advocate for a safe, secure food supply and our vision is to achieve food security through innovative agriculture. CropLife Asia supports the work of 15 member associations across the continent, led by six member companies and one associate member company that are at the forefront of crop protection, seeds and/or biotechnology research and development. Visit our website www.croplifeasia.org.

About the EU-ASEAN Business Council

The EU-ASEAN Business Council (EU-ABC) is the leading voice for European businesses in the ASEAN region and the only organisation operating at the interface of the private and public sectors between ASEAN and Europe. We are formally recognised by the European Commission and are a certified entity under Annex 2 of the ASEAN Charter.

Independent of both institutions, the Council was established to help promote the interests of European businesses operating in the ASEAN region and advocate for changes in policies and regulations to boost trade and investment between Europe and the ASEAN region. As such, the Council works on a sectoral and cross-industry basis, helping to improve investment and trade conditions for European businesses in the ASEAN region by influencing policy and decision-makers across the region and the EU, and acting as a platform for the exchange of information and ideas between its members and actors in the ASEAN region. Visit www.eu-asean.eu.

For more information, please contact:

Duke Hip

Director of Public Affairs and Strategic Partnerships

Asian Crop Protection Association

duke.hipp@croplifeasia.org

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