Asian Countries Seek Solutions for Food Security at Agricultural Conference
Margust Dela Cerna | August 19, 2024
As rice prices soar and food security challenges intensify, countries in Asia, particularly the Philippines, are grappling with how to ensure affordable, nutritious food for their populations. To address these concerns, experts gathered at an agricultural conference to discuss how technology, effective governance, and sustainable practices can improve productivity and resilience.
The event, organized by the Philippine Institute for Development Studies (PIDS), the Asian Development Bank (ADB), the Southeast Asian Regional Centre for Graduate Study and Research in Agriculture (SEARCA), and the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), focused on “Agricultural Development for Food Security: Addressing Challenges to Technological Transformation, Sustainability, and Good Governance.”
During the morning session, Kobe University Professor Keijiro Otsuka presented a detailed study on rice cultivation in Sub-Saharan Africa and the impact of the Green Revolution. His research highlighted how rice innovations mainly benefited irrigated regions while marginalized areas faced challenges. Otsuka emphasized the importance of labor migration and educational initiatives in improving agricultural productivity. He advocated for establishing educational centers in Sub-Saharan Africa to promote sustainable growth, similar to the role of the International Rice Research Institute in Asia.
Meanwhile, China Center for Agricultural Policy Director Jikun Huang shared insights on China’s agricultural reforms over the past four decades, offering valuable lessons for the Philippines and other Asian countries. Huang discussed China’s strategies for balancing growth and sustainability, including government investments in biotechnology, water conservation, and high-standard farmland. He stressed the importance of government intervention in addressing challenges like rural-urban income disparity, food security, and environmental degradation.
Both Otsuka and Huang honored Dr. Christina David, former Senior Research Fellow at PIDS, for her contributions to agricultural policy and development. The conference continued with sessions on agricultural transformation, sustainability, and governance.
The event, organized by the Philippine Institute for Development Studies (PIDS), the Asian Development Bank (ADB), the Southeast Asian Regional Centre for Graduate Study and Research in Agriculture (SEARCA), and the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), focused on “Agricultural Development for Food Security: Addressing Challenges to Technological Transformation, Sustainability, and Good Governance.”
During the morning session, Kobe University Professor Keijiro Otsuka presented a detailed study on rice cultivation in Sub-Saharan Africa and the impact of the Green Revolution. His research highlighted how rice innovations mainly benefited irrigated regions while marginalized areas faced challenges. Otsuka emphasized the importance of labor migration and educational initiatives in improving agricultural productivity. He advocated for establishing educational centers in Sub-Saharan Africa to promote sustainable growth, similar to the role of the International Rice Research Institute in Asia.
Meanwhile, China Center for Agricultural Policy Director Jikun Huang shared insights on China’s agricultural reforms over the past four decades, offering valuable lessons for the Philippines and other Asian countries. Huang discussed China’s strategies for balancing growth and sustainability, including government investments in biotechnology, water conservation, and high-standard farmland. He stressed the importance of government intervention in addressing challenges like rural-urban income disparity, food security, and environmental degradation.
Both Otsuka and Huang honored Dr. Christina David, former Senior Research Fellow at PIDS, for her contributions to agricultural policy and development. The conference continued with sessions on agricultural transformation, sustainability, and governance.
