Training strengthens capacity of government officials in supporting food and nutrition security policies and strategies in Thailand

Thai government officials better fit themselves in food and nutrition security development after the ‘Training on Food and Nutrition Security in Thailand’ co-organized by Department of Agriculture, Office of Agricultural Economics and German-ASEAN Sustainable Agrifood Systems (ASEAN SAS) on 12-16 October 2015.

Over 20 participants of 11 government offices from line Ministries, including the Ministry of Agriculture and Cooperatives and Ministry of Health recently attended the Bangkok training. The Training aimed to enhance knowledge and understanding on food and nutrition security and strengthen capacity of government personnel for effective and efficient implementation of policies and strategies on food and nutrition security in Thailand.

Mr. Thawatchai Dechachete, Senior Professional Policy and Plan Analyst of the Office of Agricultural Economics said: “I got more understanding that food and nutrition security is not only about achieving adequate food production, but includes other factors as accessibility, use and utilization, and stability to accomplish sustainable food and nutrition security.

“Having the understanding and knowledge on food and nutrition security is very useful. I have a better picture now how I can link it to my work on agriculture trade and international collaboration. Also, I see the necessity to strengthen knowledge on climate change to prepare and plan for possible insecurity issues of food and nutrition in Thailand,” he said.

Ms. Pathumwadee Imtour, Senior Professional Policy and Plan Analyst of the National Bureau of Agricultural Commodity and Food Standards said the training made her realized that integrated activities and cooperation between line departments, such as Department of Agriculture and Department of Health, will better contribute to achieving sustainable future of food and nutrition security in the country.

One of the key recommendations from the Bangkok’s ‘Policy Dialogue on Food and Nutrition Security and the ASEAN Integrated Food Security (AIFS) Framework in Thailand’ held on 31 March 2015 which ASEAN SAS co-organized in collaboration with the Department of Agriculture and the Office of Agricultural Economics, Ministry of Agriculture and Cooperatives is the need for capacity development of government officials and to strengthen coordination mechanism among relevant stakeholders to ensure effective implementation of relevant food and nutrition security policies and strategies in Thailand.

Adopted by the ASEAN leaders in 2014, the AIFS Framework (2015-2020) was developed as a response to the need for an integrated approach and multi-stakeholder efforts towards long-term food and nutrition security in the ASEAN region. In line with the project strategy to enable ASEAN Member States to implement the AIFS Framework at national level, ASEAN SAS works with Thai government to strengthen capacity of its personnel on food and nutrition security in order to develop and implement effective policies and strategies for addressing food and nutrition security in Thailand.

By ASEAN Sustainable Agrifood Systems Team, Thailand

Policy Dialogue on Food and Nutrition Security High level discussion on national policies and the ASEAN Integrated Food Security Framework

The Department of Agriculture of the Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry has hosted a high level policy dialogue on food and nutrition security and the ASEAN Integrated Food Security (AIFS) Framework. The German Regional Cooperation project ASEAN Sustainable Agrifood Systems (SAS) supported the event. The project is part of the ASEAN-German Programme on Response to Climate Change in Agriculture and Forestry (GAP-CC) and is implemented by GIZ (Deutsche Gesellschaft fuer Internationale Zusammenarbeit GmbH).

Mr. Xaypladeth Choulamany, Senior Official Meeting of the ASEAN Ministers on Agriculture and Forestry (SOM-AMAF) leader for Lao PDR opens the Policy Dialogue on Food and Nutrition Security in Lao PDR.

The policy dialogue provided a platform to discuss and exchange information and agree on recommendations, concrete actions and coordination mechanism to implement national policies and strategies on food and nutrition security in Lao PDR in accordance with regional and global policy frameworks. The AIFS Framework, adopted by the ASEAN leaders in 2009, is thereby the key regional framework for Lao PDR. The event brought together stakeholders from the Lao Government, Development Partners, Civil Society Organisations and the private sector.

Mr. Suriyan Vichitlekarn, GIZ’s ASEAN Sustainable Agrifood Systems project’s regional advisor (second left) presents a token to Mr. Xaypladeth Choulamany (second right), Director General of the Department of Planning and Cooperation and Senior Official Meeting of the ASEAN Ministers on Agriculture and Forestry (SOM-AMAF) leader for Lao PDR.

Mr. Xaypladeth Choulamany, Director General of the Department of Planning and Cooperation and leader of the Senior Official Meeting of the ASEAN Ministers on Agriculture and Forestry (SOM-AMAF) for Lao PDR, officially opened the policy dialogue. He highlighted the importance of food and nutrition security in Lao PDR through its commitment to eradicate extreme poverty and hunger by 2020. He emphasised the effort of the Lao Government to address food security at the regional level by engaging in the development process of the AIFS Framework. At the national level, he stated that Lao PDR had already implemented a row of policies and strategies relevant to food and nutrition security. Most prominently, the Agricultural Development Strategy to 2025 and Vision to 2030, the National Rice Production for National Food Security Strategy, Development Strategy of the Crop Sector 2025 and Vision 2030, and the National Nutrition Strategy and Plan of Action for 2010-2015.

In his welcoming remarks, GIZ Portfolio Manager Mr. Alexander Neubauer highlighted the German efforts to strengthen food and nutrition security through promotion of sustainable agrifood systems under the AIFS Framework. By this means, long-term food security and improved livelihoods of farmers could be reached. He highlighted that the policy dialogue was a crucial step that would lay a foundation for practical implementation of relevant policies and strategies in Lao PDR.

By definition of the World Food Summit in 1996, food security exists when all people, at all times, have physical and economic access to sufficient, safe and nutritious food that meets their dietary needs and food preferences for an active and healthy life. Agrifood systems are a long-term approach towards food security in the ASEAN region as it responds to the region’s special needs. Best practices to achieve sustainable agriculture, optimise production inputs and farming practices that integrate climate resilience are being identified and shared. Also environmental friendly approaches and the reduction of pesticide use come into play to produce safe and good quality agrifood products.

About the ASEAN Sustainable Agrifood Systems (SAS) project

Overall objective of the SAS project is to support ASEAN Member States to implement the ASEAN Integrated Food Security (AIFS) Framework and its Strategic Plan of Action on Food Security (SPA-FS). It does so by mainly focusing on the promotion of sustainable food production at the national level. Moreover, the project provides solutions for long-term food security in the region by developing regionally-coordinated policies and strategies for sustainable agriculture. This includes the promotion of cross-border value chains in concert with public decision-makers, agricultural enterprises as well as farmers and private associations.