Title of document: ASEAN Guidelines for Responsible Investment in Food, Agriculture and Forestry Authors/editor: ASEAN Secretariat Journal’s name if any: Ministry/Government Agency/Organization: ASEAN Secretariat, Grow Asia, the International Institute for Sustainable Development (IISD), the Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation (SDC) and a World Bank trust fund. Year of publication: 2019 Geographic focus: ASEAN Main issues/ topics addressed (for example:…) School of agroecology (if any): Web address to original document (if any): Summary: The ASEAN Guidelines on Promoting Responsible Investment in Food, Agriculture and Forestry were adopted by ASEAN Ministers on Agriculture and Forestry (AMAF) in October 2018 and were developed in response to a decision by that same group the year prior. The guidelines have as their main objective the promotion of responsible regional investment in food, agriculture and forestry that ensures economic development, while also incorporating and reflecting the diverse circumstances of different ASEAN member states. Ensuring responsible investment in these sectors will be key in meeting the food safety and security needs of the growing population of the Southeast Asian region. The guidelines are grounded in the Committee on World Security’s Principles for Responsible Agriculture and Food Systems (CFS-RAI). They were developed through a multi-stakeholder process involving the ASEAN Secretariat, Grow Asia, the International Institute for Sustainable Development, the Swiss Agency for Development Cooperation and a World Bank trust fund.   Read More

Title of document: Policy Brief - Issue No. 4: Mechanization Solutions for Improved Livestock Management and Prevention and Control of Zoonotic Diseases Authors/editor: UN-ESCAP CSAM Journal’s name if any: Ministry/Government Agency/Organization: UN-ESCAP CSAM Year of publication: 2020 Geographic focus: Asia Main issues/ topics addressed (for example: Role of Mechanization in Prevention and Control of Zoonotic Diseases; Recommendations…) School of agroecology (if any): Web address to original document (if any): http://www.un-csam.org/Publication/PB-2020-03-ENG.pdf Summary:   Read More

Title of document: Policy Brief - Issue No. 3: Integrated Management of Straw Residue in the Asia-Pacific Region Authors/editor: UN-ESCAP CSAM Journal’s name if any: Ministry/Government Agency/Organization: UN-ESCAP CSAM Year of publication: 2020 Geographic focus: Asia Main issues/ topics addressed (for example: Impact of the Pandemic on Agriculture in the Asia-Pacific Region; Role of sustainable agricultural mechanization in supporting recovery and building resilience…) School of agroecology (if any): Web address to original document (if any): http://www.un-csam.org/Publication/PB-2020-03.pdf Summary: Burning of straw residue is a common practice in many countries of the Asia-Pacific region. In recent times, this practice has drawn the attention of policymakers and the public due to its adverse effects on the environment, including air pollution which impacts the life of millions of people across countries and contributes to climate change as well as loss of fertility of agricultural land. Appropriate agricultural machinery can help farmers adopt sustainable and integrated management of straw residue including its use as fertilizer, cattle feed, bioenergy, substrate for growing mushrooms and industry material.   Read More

Title of document: Policy Brief - Issue No. 2: Impact of Covid-19 on Agriculture in the Asia-Pacific Region and Role of Mechanization Authors/editor: UN-ESCAP CSAM Journal’s name if any: Ministry/Government Agency/Organization: UN-ESCAP CSAM Year of publication: 2020 Geographic focus: Asia Main issues/ topics addressed (for example: Impact of the Pandemic on Agriculture in the Asia-Pacific Region; Role of sustainable agricultural mechanization in supporting recovery and building resilience…) School of agroecology (if any): Web address to original document (if any): http://www.un-csam.org/Publication/PB-2020-02.pdf Summary: The impact of the coronavirus disease pandemic on the agricultural sector has brought unprecedented challenges in the Asia-Pacific region. At this juncture, it is important to undertake a closer analysis of the effect of the pandemic on agriculture in the region, with particular attention to resource-poor smallholder farmers and low-wage migrant agricultural workers. In addition, it is vital to identify solutions that can help member States ‘build back better’ the agricultural sector.   Read More

Title of document: Policy Brief - Issue No. 1: Promoting an Enabling Environment for the Private Sector for Sustainable Agricultural Mechanization Authors/editor: UN-ESCAP CSAM Journal’s name if any: Ministry/Government Agency/Organization: UN-ESCAP CSAM Year of publication: 2020 Geographic focus: Asia Main issues/ topics addressed (for example: Challenges Facing the Private Sector in Sustainable Agricultural Mechanization in the Asia-Pacific Region; Policy Recommendations…) School of agroecology (if any): Web address to original document (if any): http://www.un-csam.org/Publication/PB202007.pdf Summary: For the purpose of this policy brief, the ‘private sector’ in relation to agricultural mechanization is understood to comprise of four groups of economic actors: (1) farmers, (2) retailers and wholesalers, (3) manufacturers, and (4) importers. As this brief illustrates, the creation of an enabling environment for the private sector for sustainable agricultural mechanization requires related government entities to implement well-delineated policies, provide effectual incentives, and establish accessible communication channels…   Read More

Title of document: Building an Evidence Base for Policy Formulation in the Agriculture and Rural Development Sector in Lao PDR Authors/editor: NAFRI Journal’s name if any: Ministry/Government Agency/Organization: NAFRI - MAF Year of publication: 2020 Geographic focus: Lao PDR Main issues/ topics addressed (for example: Sustainable Commercial Agricultural Production: A Case Study of Commercialized Banana Production; Development of Benzoin Upstream Value Chains for Uplands of The Lao PDR; Cassava Value Chains in Champasak and Salavan Provinces…) School of agroecology (if any): Web address to original document (if any): Summary: In June 2012, the Government of the Lao PDR, with the support of development partners, established a Policy Think Tank as part of the Sector Working Group on Agriculture and Rural Development. The Policy Think Tank is led by NAFRI, the National Agriculture and Forestry Research Institute, which is under the Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry. The aim of the Policy Think Tank is to engage government ministries and private sector stakeholders in dialogue and consensus building to address critical national policy issues that impact actions at the provincial and district levels to support the improvement of livelihoods among the rural poor…   Read More

Title of document: Lao People’s Democratic Republic: Sustainable Commercialization in the Coffee Value Chain Authors/editor: UNCTAD Journal’s name if any: Ministry/Government Agency/Organization: UNCTAD Year of publication: 2020 Geographic focus: Lao PDR Main issues/ topics addressed (for example: Organic Agriculture in Lao; Coffee Value Chain Actors …) School of agroecology (if any): Web address to original document (if any): Summary: Sustainable commercialisation of agriculture for the local market and for exports is one of the key pillars of the sustainable development policy of Lao People’s Democratic Republic. Relevant policies and guidelines have been developed to enhance the production capacities of value chain actors and facilitate the access of local agricultural products, including coffee, to international markets…   Read More

Title of document: ASEAN Action Plan on Fall Armyworm Control Authors/editor: ASEAN Secretariat, FAO Journal’s name if any: Ministry/Government Agency/Organisation: ASEAN Secretariat, FAO Year of publication: 2020 Geographic focus: ASEAN Main issues/ topics addressed (for example: …) School of agroecology (if any): Web address to original document (if any): Summary: The Fall Armyworm (Spodoptera frugiperda) was first reported in Southeast Asia in late 2018 in Thailand and Myanmar. It has since rapidly spread, and its presence is now confirmed in almost all ASEAN countries. The pest, which feeds on more than 350 plant species, can cause major damage, particularly to maize crops. Now it is endemic in the region, management will need to be focused on control rather than eradication. The impact of the Fall Armyworm’s presence in the ASEAN region will be considerable. Estimates using 10% crop damage across ASEAN maize crops indicates an annual US$884 million cost. Both in lost farmer income and as buyers are forced to import maize. ASEAN farmers are in urgent need of effective, locally valid and regionally relevant management solutions. Appropriate, cost-effective and practical integrated pest management (IPM) methods also wait to be developed, validated, promoted and/or scaled up.   Read More

Title of document: Lao Organic Standard for Rice Authors/editor: DOA                                                   Journal’s name if any: Ministry/Government Agency/Organisation: DOA, MAF Year of publication: 2015 Geographic focus: Lao Main issues/ topics addressed (for example: …) School of agroecology (if any): Web address to original document (if any): Summary: Guideline for Lao Organic Standard for rice in Lao PDR   Read More

Title of document: Creating opportunities for rural youth: 2019 Rural Development Report Authors/editor: IFAD Journal’s name if any: Ministry/Government Agency/Organisation: IFAD Year of publication: 2019 Geographic focus: Global level Main issues / topics addressed (for example:…) School of agroecology (if any): Web address to original document (if any): Summary: This report (PDF) by IFAD attempts to inform policies, programmes, and investments to promote a rural transformation that is inclusive of rural youth. Rural youth development is powered by improvements in three mutually-reinforcing factors: 1) Productivity of rural young people is needs to be ensured by social structures and attitutes to help rural youth progress, especially for young rural women. 2) Connectivity – to people, markets, services, ideas and information – to create opportunities for rural youth to become more fully integrated with their transforming economies. 3) Agency: to become more productive and connected, youth must have the power to make decisions in their own best interest. Understanding the national, local and family settings in which young people live entails understanding the concept of rural transformation.   Read More