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.

23/06/201509/08/2017

Policy Dialogue on Food and Nutrition Security for Myanmar to be held in Nay Pyi Taw

The meeting of GIZ with U Kyaw Shwe the Director General of the Department of Agriculture (DoA) of Myanmar to discuss the preparation of the Policy Dialogue on Food and Nutrition Security for Myanmar will take place on 23 June 2015 in Nay Pyi Taw, Myanmar. The Dialogue aims to provide a platform for exchange of information and to build consensus on policies and strategies for tackling food insecurity within the country.

About 30 participants from concerned agencies under the Ministry of Agriculture and Irrigation, the Ministry of Forestry, the Ministry of Health, the Ministry of Livestock, Fisheries and Rural Development, the Ministry of National Planning and the Ministry of Commerce are expected to attend the Dialogue.

Food security has been recognised as an important agenda in ASEAN Member States (AMS). Economic crisis and hikes in food prices have a widespread on the nutritional and health status of global people, especially in the developing countries. During the period of 2011 to 2013, an estimated 842.3 million people were undernourished, according to FAO and a large number of people are facing with hunger. Rapid population growth with high food demand has also brought the pressure on food security in Asia.

In addressing long term food security and improve the livelihood of farmers in the region, the ASEAN Integrated Food Security (AIFS) Framework was adopted by ASEAN at the 14^th ASEAN Summit in 2009 to provide scope and joint pragmatic approaches for cooperation among AMS. The ASEAN leaders reiterated the importance to develop a common and unified position to ensure sustainable food security and nutrition in ASEAN and endorsed the new phase of AIFS Framework and SPA-FS, 2015-2020 at the 25^th ASEAN Summit held in November 2014 in Nay Pyi Taw, Myanmar.

The government of Myanmar is committed and places first priority on national as well as ASEAN regional food security and nutrition.

The government of Myanmar is now preparing on Development of Food Security and Nutrition Plan (2015), which provided a Strategy for Strengthening the Agricultural Sector, Food and Energy Security, and nutritious food production. Myanmar has to fulfill her obligation of providing emergency food stocks for regional food security. The government of Myanmar has also given priority to reduction 16 % poverty in the nation and adopts the Nation Plan in 2011, which provide the strategy for strengthening the agricultural sector and food security.

In supporting the implementation of AIFS Framework and SPA-FS, ASEAN Sustainable Agrifood System (SAS) Project was launched in 2014 as continuation of the ASEAN Biocontrol Project (2011-2013). The project is commissioned by the German Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ) and being implemented by German International Cooperation (GIZ). It aims at developing regionally coordinated policies and strategies for sustainable agriculture and food production system.

To promote the implementation of the AIFS Framework, it is important to enhance the understanding and awareness on food security and AIFS framework among policy makers and concerned agencies. This would be also useful for the development of policies and strategies to improve food security in Myanmar in response to the new phase of AIFS Framework and SPA-FS, 2015-2020.

The government of Myanmar is now preparing Development of Food Security and Nutrition Plan (2015) which provided a Strategy for Strengthening the Agricultural Sector, Food and Energy Security, and nutritious food productions.

12/06/201509/08/2017

Juicy taste but safety first

A presentation highlighting product safety and quality for Thai fruit juice industry

Fruit juice industry in Thailand is enjoying a fruitful tree climbing rate with a total market of Baht 12,000 million in 2014. The last year’s total growth rate is at 13 percent.

Napaporn Rattanametta, a Project Manager on Food Safety for ASEAN Sustainable Agrifood Systems Project started her presentation with these facts and figures at the “Seminar on EU Import Control and Food Safety Management at the border: Case study at Frankfurt International Airport” on 25 May 2015 in Nonthaburi, Thailand.

Participants consisted of officials from central and regional agencies, manufacturers, small and medium size exporters roughly about 100 persons.

Her 45-minute session focused on “Improving Product Safety and Quality for Thai Fruit Juice Industry”. A slide after slide in her presentation showed quite shocking pictures of the ‘Before’ and ‘After’ of the fruit juice factories before and after her advisory assistances. Areas to be improved, for example, included fresh fruit quality, fruit washing machine, personal hygiene, plant hygiene, contamination risk reduction and maintenance programme.

She also presented the ASEAN Sustainable Agrifood Systems Project’s market survey results on Thai fruit juice in 2012 and 2014. As a result for declared “100 % Guava juice”, only approximately 40 per cent of juice content could be detected in the analysed sample. Meanwhile, in the sample “100 % strawberry” only 20 per cent juice content could be detected. Having been working in the fruit juice industry for over 12 years, Ms. Rattanametta has carried fruit juice factory inspections in a number of factories and conducted training and skill development programmes for fruit juice factory staff across Thailand and Vietnam.

Ms. Napaporn is also a certified auditor for Sure Global Fair (SGF), a global voluntary certification system for fruit processing industry based in Germany.

SGF and the ASEAN Sustainable Agrifood Systems Project under Deutsche Gesellschaft fuer Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ) or German International Cooperation in English are supporting the Thai fruit juice industry in a private partnership project “Improved Product Safety and Quality for the Thai Fruit Juice Industry” in its efforts to comply with the requirements of the international market. The common objective is to increase safety and quality of Thai fruit juice products in accordance with national and international recognized standards, for example: assure legal and industrial safety and quality standards; maintain fair competition; support the positive reputation of healthy and natural fruit juice products; and ensure consumer satisfaction.

By Rojana Manowalailao, ASEAN Sustainable Agrifood Systems

29/04/201509/08/2017

Thailand’s 1st Policy Dialogue on Food and Nutrition Security calls for stronger cooperation mechanisms

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by Lisa Faust

Most of the 805 million people who do not have enough to eat in the world, live in countries that have food surpluses rather than deficits. Thailand – the world’s leading exporter of rice and fruits and referred to as the “Kitchen of the World” – too suffers from this paradox. The underlying reason behind why 6.8 percent (FAO, 2014) of the Thai population is considered undernourished is thus not a lack of food availability, but rather insufficient access to food.

From left: Mr. David Oberhuber, Country Director, GIZ Thailand; Ms. Jantida Meedech, Office of Agricultural Economics; Ms. Bangjongjit Angsusingh, Department of Foreign Trade Ministry of Commerce; Dr. Apichart Pongsrihadulchai, Ministry of Agriculture and Cooperatives; Dr. Surmsuk Salakpetch, Department of Agriculture; Mr. Chaisiri Mahantachaisakul, National Bureau of Agricultural Commodity and Food Standards; and Dr. Rangsit Poosiripinyo, Office of Agricultural Economics

This challenge is particularly prevalent in many remote areas and has been exacerbated by a steady increase in food prices and production costs throughout the past decade. Other major obstacles to ensuring food security in Thailand include insufficient nutrition, poverty, climate change, an ageing farmer’s population coupled with their deteriorating health, and inadequate soil and water management.

These issues were raised and discussed at Thailand’s first ‘Policy Dialogue on Food and Nutrition Security and the ASEAN Integrated Food Security (AIFS) Framework in Thailand’, which was organized in Bangkok on 31 March 2015, by the ASEAN Sustainable Agrifood Systems (SAS) project. Commissioned by the German Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development, the SAS project aims to enable ASEAN Member States in implementing the ASEAN Integrated Food Security (AIFS) Framework, and its Strategic Plan of Action on Food Security (SPA-FS) at national level.

To ensure long-term food and nutrition security, as well as improve the livelihoods of farmers across the entire ASEAN region, the ASEAN Integrated Food Security (AIFS) Framework was adopted by the Member states at the 14th ASEAN Summit in 2009 to provide scope and joint pragmatic approaches for cooperation among ASEAN Member States. The ASEAN leaders reiterated the importance to develop a common and unified position to ensure sustainable food security and nutrition in ASEAN and endorsed the new phase of AIFS Framework and SPA-FS, 2015-2020 at the 25^th ASEAN Summit held in November 2014 in Nay Pyi Taw, Myanmar.

With over 60 participants from various agencies and ministries in Thailand, including high level policy makers from relevant Ministries, the Policy Dialogue provided a platform for exchange of information and to build consensus on policies and strategies for tackling food insecurity within Thailand collectively.

The government of Thailand has given priority to food security as highlighted in the Eleventh National Economic and Social Development Plan (2012-2016), which provided a Strategy for Strengthening the Agricultural Sector, Food and Energy Security. The importance of food security is as well emphasized in the Strategic Framework for Food Security of the Ministry of Agriculture and Cooperatives (2013-2016) to promote sustainable food production and access to quality and nutritious food,

said Dr. Apichart Pongsrihadulchai, Vice Minister of Agriculture and Cooperatives, during his keynote speech at the Policy Dialogue.

There was census among participants in the following: Firstly, the need to revise the mechanisms of the existing food security Frameworks in Thailand and their implementation. Clear roles and responsibilities have to be assigned to the relevant ministries, private sector and other actors, in order ensure a better understanding among every stakeholder involved. Secondly, as effective implementation of technical solutions is often hindered by limited collaboration between stakeholders, participants call for a concrete cooperation mechanism that facilitates and mandates coordination between the private and public sector. Thirdly, at the ASEAN level, improved cooperation and communication is necessary between the different ASEAN Ministers of Agriculture and Forestry reporting food security bodies and parallel initiatives. This will enable a more fluid sharing and exchange of information, lessons learnt and experiences between the ASEAN Member States.

“Agriculture is a key sector in terms of social and economic development for Thailand. Though Thailand is considered an advanced country in terms of food security, however, issues and challenges still remain and require collaboration and coordination among relevant ministries, private sector and stakeholders in addressing the issues,”

said Mr. David Oberhuber, Country Director of GIZ Thailand, in his speech at the Policy Dialogue.

To follow-up on the outcomes of this Policy Dialogue, SAS project will organise a second Policy Dialogue on Food and Nutrition Security in early 2017. It is hoped that these Policy Dialogues can contribute towards Thailand’s progress in creating food production systems that incorporate economic, social and environmental dimensions, and eliminate poverty and hunger across the nation.

28/04/201510/08/2017

Progress updates on development of the ASEAN’s Soil and Nutrient Management Guidelines

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Scope of contents of the Guidelines on Soil and Nutrient Management was finalized at the 2^nd regional meeting of the ASEAN Expert Group on Soil and Nutrient Management (SNM) in Singapore on 28-29 April 2015. The Meeting agreed to shape up the SNM Guidelines content to include: Chapter I: Properties and issues of soils in ASEAN Member States; Chapter II: Good soil management practices; Chapter III: Good nutrient management practices; Chapter IV: Standards, regulations and market information of fertilizer and supplements; and Chapter V: Recommendations on Soil and Nutrient Management.

Brunei News features the national consultation meeting conducted by the Department of Agriculture and Agrifood on 8 – 10 May 2015

Following the Singapore Meeting, the 2^nd national consultation meetings in different ASEAN Member States (AMS) have been expected to be conducted. The consultation meeting aims at sharing and discussion of the key outcomes of the regional meeting. This includes planning of relevant activities and identify respective responsible for preparation of inputs contribute to writing up contents of the ASEAN SNM Guidelines. In Brunei Darussalam the national consultation meeting was conducted by the Department of Agriculture and Agrifood on 8 – 10 May 2015. In Vietnam, the consultation meeting was held by the Department of Crop Production (DCP) on 28 – 29 June 2015.

To steer the process on preparation of inputs, a monitoring process has been conducting through a status report form. Presently, only Malaysia, Myanmar, Thailand, and Vietnam provide feedback in this regard. Base on the status reports obtained fromAMS, Malaysia is the most progressive one followed by Thailand, Vietnam and Myanmar.

AMS are being expected to submit completed draft of country inputs on subject matter by the end of October for consolidation. The contents received from the AMS will be reviewed by experts at the 3^rd Meeting of ASEAN Expert Group on Soil and Nutrient Management to be held in November 2015 in Vientiane, Lao PDR.

By Wannipa Soda, ASEAN Sustainable Agrifood Systems

Group photo of soil and nutrient management experts in Brunei Darussalam

10/04/201509/08/2017

Rice Plant-Hopper Management in Dong Thap Province

Survey to develop training for farmers on integrated pest management

A pilot project soon to be established in Dong Thap province, Vietnam will assist Vietnamese farmers to tackle one of the country’s major threats to rice production, Brown Plant Hopper infestation. However, a survey to improve the ‘know-how’ in integrated pest management is firstly needed to design the right training for the farmers. This is to be conducted by the ASEAN Sustainable Agrifood Systems project, a module under an ASEAN-German Programme on response to Climate Change in Agriculture and Forestry (GAP-CC) and CropLife International.

Dong Thap province is the third largest rice growing region in the Mekong delta with 523,800 hectares of cultivated area. Three harvests per year require a very intensive cultivation, with high inputs of fertilizers and pesticides. In the past years, yields per hectare have been steadily increasing, reaching an average of 6.3 ton per hectares, which is above the national average of about 5 tons per hectares.

Intensive rice cultivation entails also increasing production costs, often caused by the high usage of seeds, fertilizers and chemical pesticides above the usual levels. Studies have shown that the overuse of chemical inputs can even have an adverse effect, leading to a decline of yields. Therefore it is of utmost importance to identify the optimum of the application of seeds and chemical inputs.

According to the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development, there are “inadequacies in pesticide advertising and labelling, while many farmers still continue to ignore basic instructions on their use”.

In Vietnam’s Dong Thap province, “Brown Plant Hopper” infestation and the following transmission of viruses is one of the major threats to rice production. Losses can be 100 per cent, if uncontrolled. Actually, the situation is under control, by light traps and the application of biological pesticides among others. Nevertheless, future outbreaks are possible as the insect is migrating fast over long distances. Because of its nature, infestation occurs at the whole growing area, which requires a strategy of including farmers’ communities, suppliers of agricultural inputs, and district and province authorities as well.

In general terms, the causes of the outbreaks include poor agronomic practices, poor choice of variety and, once an infestation is established, misuse of pesticides. The implementation of integrated pest management practices has proved unsustainable, since consistent messages have not been continually provided by all groups. Specifically the misuse or even illegal use of broad-spectrum, neuro-toxic insecticides needs to be addressed.

This requires not only the effective training of farmers, but also pesticide retailers who are a major source of pest management advice. According to the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development, there are “inadequacies in pesticide advertising and labelling, while many farmers still continue to ignore basic instructions on their use”. Training of retailers, which should be an integral part of government certification, would help to address this.

It is therefore proposed that the demonstration project be established in Dong Thap province, working with several villages where plant-hopper outbreaks are an issue, that will train farmers in integrated pest management including the responsible use of pesticides and the use of alternatives, including non-neuro-toxic and biocontrol agents, along with their integration and to train pesticide retailers in also integrated pest management, responsible pesticide use and responsible promotion of products. The aim will be to set up a programme, where training messages are re-enforced by the local retailers, as well as other local partners such as the extension services and farmer organisations.

Other elements such as landscape engineering will be included in the information package presented to farmers; this will include how this can be used to encourage and maintain natural enemies, as well as possible negative impacts such as impacts on rat population. Farmers will be informed about such tools and techniques, but it will be their choice as to whether they adopt such approaches.

In general, even though the focus of the programme is management of plant-hopper attacks, in common with all integrated pest management programmes other pests that threaten the rice crop will be appropriately managed.

Preparatory Survey

GIZ by its ASEAN Sustainable Agrifood Systems or in short SAS project and CropLife International agreed upon the conduction of a survey in Dong Thap province, Vietnam. This should be understood as a measure for the preparation of a wider capacity development programme. Plant Protection Department, its respective structures on national, provincial and local levels, and the Department of Agriculture and Rural Development of Dong Thap province will actively take part in the development of the activities. After the survey has been concluded, and conclusions and recommendations have been analyzed, the envisaged capacity development programme will be carried through.

15/12/201409/08/2017

The 5th Project Partner Meeting and related Meetings in Nay Pyi Taw, Myanmar from 2-4 December 2014

Four Regional Meetings to Agree Step Forward in Addressing Food Security

Authors:
Pouchamarn Wongsanga
Duangruetai Surasakjinda

During 2-4 December 2014, the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN), GIZ together with the Department of Agriculture of Myanmar’s Ministry of Agriculture and Irrigation organized the 5^th Project Partner Meeting (PPM) of the “ASEAN Sustainable Agrifood Systems (SAS)”, The 6^th Meeting of the ASEAN BCA Expert Groups on Application and Regulation, The 1^st Meeting of the ASEAN Soil and Nutrient Management Expert Group, and The Dialogue on ASEAN Integrated Food Security (AIFS) Framework at in Nay Pyi Taw, Myanmar.

Attended by over 60 participants from nine ASEAN Member States, with the exception of Brunei Darussalam, the meetings highlighted progress of activities and discussed strategies and project activities as step forward for activities implementation at regional and national levels from 2015-2017.

Overview of the implementation strategies of the ASEAN Sustainable Agrifood Systems

The 5^th PPM agreed with the overall implementation strategies of SAS project outlining key activities and their linkages across the three intervention areas, namely policy framework, production technologies (i.e. biocontrol agents, soil and nutrient management), and market linkages. Project implementation strategies appears below.

The 5^th PPM recognized that other GIZ partner projects could provide complementary support in the implementation of SAS Project. These projects include:

Forestry and Climate Change (FOR-CC) (Climate Smart Agriculture Component)
Better Rice Initiative Asia (BRIA)
ASEAN Food Standard
Remote sensing-based Information and Insurance for Crops in Emerging Economies (RIICE)

Outcomes and Recommendations of the 6^th Meeting of ASEAN BCA Expert Groups on Application and Regulation

The proposed activities and interventions namely, policy frameworks, implementation of production technologies, and market linkages were discussed and agreed. Complementing the interventions at national level for achieving the project goals of SAS, there are some regionally integrative elements that support the implementation of the AIFS and also relate to ASEAN standards like ASEAN Good Agricultural Practices (GAP) and Organic.

Outcomes and Recommendations of the 1^st Meeting of ASEAN Soil and Nutrient Management (SNM) Expert Group

The Meeting agreed on the following.

Draft definition of the term “soil and nutrient management” for ASEAN Guidelines as “Soil and nutrient management is an integrated measure to manage soils, nutrients, water and crops in a sustainable manner to optimize crop production”;
The tentative scope of ASEAN Guidelines on SNM; and
To include general role concerning the bio-input database after the scope is defined.

Outcomes and Recommendations of the Dialogue on ASEAN Integrated Food Security (AIFS) Framework

The Dialogue discussed on what and how “ASEAN Sustainable Agrifood Systems (SAS)” can support ASEAN and ASEAN Member States. The recommendations for activities have been provided in relation to the two topics discussed i.e. a) Synergizing food security policy (national and regional) as well as develop and promote Sustainable Agrifood Systems; and b) Developing/promoting market linkages.

Challenges and Way Forward for the ASEAN Sustainable Agrifood Systems

SAS project should give focus in the promotion of sustainable agrifood systems and how it will contribute to food security in ASEAN;
Sustainable agrifood systems should target on GAP products by improving integrated pest management (through the use of bio-inputs), better soil and nutrient management, and market linkages. Organic products could be considered if they are considered high priority in the country(s);
Policy dialogue on food and nutrition security at both regional and national levels are important to raise awareness on the AIFS Framework, linkages and contribution of sustainable agrifood systems to food security and other issues of importance (i.e. food trade, nutrition, etc.);
Planning and implementation of SAS activities across intervention areas at both regional and national levels should be coordinated to ensure interlinkages, synergies and greater impacts; and
Capacity development is considered a cross-cutting issue across intervention areas and should be designed and developed to suit the target groups and context.

Launching and handing over of the translation AIFS Framework and ASEAN BCA Guidelines

In conjunction with four meetings, the translation the ASEAN Integrated Food Security (AIFS) Framework and the ASEAN Guidelines on the Regulation, Use and Trade of Biological Control Agent (BCA) was launched and handed over to Head delegations from Cambodia, Lao PDR, Myanmar and Thailand for the implementation by the ASEAN Member States at national level.

ASEAN Integrated Food Security (AIFS) Framework and the Strategic Plan of Action on Food Security in the ASEAN region (SPA-FS)

The translation of AIFS Framework and SPA-FS has been accomplished for Cambodia, Lao PDR, Myanmar and Thailand with a view to facilitating the implementation at the national level and promoting awareness and understanding among concerned stakeholders, which need multi-disciplinary and multi-stakeholder approaches and collaboration.

It is hoped that AIFS Framework provides a useful basis for mutual understanding on food security and the development of policies and strategies to improve food security situation at national level and contributes to ASEAN integration and community-building process.

ASEAN BCA Guidelines

The ASEAN Guidelines on the Regulation, Use and Trade of Biological Control Agent (BCA) describes ways to improve sustainable crop protection through more extended use of BCA in concert with the principles of “integrated pest management”. A working definition, focusing on BCA within the context of internationally-recognized IPM narratives. BCA encompass a wide range of products. It is acknowledged that they are not applicable to all pest management situations, so specific case studies, where application appears effective and feasible; regulations and how they might develop in future, with necessary improvements, rationalization and harmonization; and suggestions for improvement that integrate aspects of regulation and use of BCA in details are described in the Guidelines.

It is hope that the Guidelines provides an agreed framework for future development of BCA: specifically creating a regional blueprint for national regulation and implementation strategies. In addition, harmonization of registration requirements would make regulation of BCA easier, less costly and promote their trade between ASEAN Member States.

23/04/201411/08/2017

ASEAN Biocontrol Strengthens the Capacity of the National Trainer Pool for Food Security and Nutrition in Cambodia

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The ASEAN Biocontrol Project and the Council for Agricultural and Rural Development (CARD) jointly organized a three-day Refresher Training Course for the National Trainer Pool in PhnomPenh, Cambodia from April 23–25, 2013. The training is one of the project activities to support the implementation of the ASEAN Integrated Food Security (AIFS) Framework and its Strategic Plan of Action for Food Security (SPA-FS).

Aimed at strengthening the capacity of the National Trainer Pool for Food Security and Nutrition in Cambodia, the training introduced emerging topics in food security and nutrition such as climate change and social safety nets.

Additionally, the trainers were acquainted with the AIFS Framework, which is a joint approach for cooperation among the ASEAN member states in dealing with the food security issues in the region to ensure long-term food security and to improve the livelihoods of farmers. The AIFS Framework was adopted at the 14th ASEAN Summit in 2009.

The National Trainer Pool for Food Security and Nutrition, officially established in 2009, comprises members of government, development partners, institutions, civil society and NGOs.

The Trainer Pool, which is managed by CARD, plays a vital role in strengthening human resource development in the field of food security and nutrition in Cambodia. Eighteen trainers from the Pool actively participated in the three-day training.

A representative from the Department of Agriculture, Lao PDR also attended to learn how the Trainer Pool functions and exchange experiences. The Trainer Pool plans to organize 12 training sessions at the national, sub-national and community levels before the end of 2013.

27/03/201411/08/2017

The 5th (Joint) Meeting of the ASEAN BCA Expert Groups on Application and Regulation in Phnom Penh, Cambodia from 12 March 2014

The Fifth Meetings of the ASEAN BCA Expert Groups on Application and Regulation are jointly organized on 12 March 2014 in Phnom Penh, Cambodia.

ASEAN BCA Expert Groups on Application and Regulation convened to review the draft of the ASEAN Guidelines on the Regulation, Use and Trade of Biological Control Agents (BCA) which would be further submitted to the ASEAN Working Group on Crops (ASWGC) for approval.

The Experts discussed and provided comments on the ASEAN Guidelines and agreed to include a short message from Myanmar who recently participated in the Meeting of ASEAN BCA Expert Groups.

There are ongoing field trials in Cambodia and Thailand to evaluate the effectiveness of BCA for pest and disease management in which the progress on the field trials has been reported to the Meeting. The results from the field trials would also be incorporated into the ASEAN Guidelines.

The Expert Groups proposed to meet again after the endorsement of the ASEAN Guidelines.

17/11/201311/08/2017

4th Project Partner Meeting in Phnom Penh, Cambodia from 11-13 March 2014

ASEAN Sustainable Agrifood Systems (ASEAN Biocontrol) 4th Project Partner Meeting Highlights Achievements and Discusses 2nd Phase Project Prospects

The Fourth Project Partner Meeting (PPM) of the ASEAN Sustainable Agrifood Systems (ASEAN Biocontrol) Project, the 4th Project Steering Committee Meeting and the 5th Meeting of the ASEAN BCA Expert Groups on Application and Regulation took place from 11-13 March 2014 in Phnom Penh, Cambodia. More than 50 participants from ten ASEAN Member States and other partners attended the meeting. Mr. Adelbert Eberhardt, Country Director, GIZ Office Phnom Penh and Mrs. Birgit Strube, First Secretary, Deputy Head of Cooperation, Embassy of the Federal Republic of Germany, Phnom Penh represented GIZ and BMZ respectively and delivered the remarks. The meeting was opened by Dr. Hean Vanhan, Deputy Director General of the General Directorate of Agriculture on behalf of H. E. So Khan Rithykun, Director-General of the General Directorate of Agriculture, and Director of the National IPM Programme, Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries (MAFF), Cambodia. The PPM highlighted the project’s achievements and discussed the project’s future prospects in facilitating effective implementation of the 2nd Project Phase.

Back-to-back with the PCM, the 5th ASEAN BCA Expert Groups on Application and Regulation, and the 4th Project Steering Committee Meeting convened on 12 March 2014. The ASEAN BCA Expert Groups Meeting deliberated the final draft of the ASEAN Guidelines on the Regulation, Use and Trade of Biological Control Agents (BCA) prior to its submission for consideration and endorsement by the ASEAN Sectoral Working Group on Crops (ASWGC). The Project Steering

Committee Meeting meanwhile considered and approved a number of key issues for project implementation.

On the last day of the meeting, MAFF organized a field trip for participants to Kandal province to visit the demonstration plots of cucumber and tomato farmers under Cambodia’s National Integrated Pest Management (IPM) Programme. The farmers applied Trichoderma, which is a biological control agent to control pests. The results were more satisfactory than in the plots using only chemical pesticides.

The objectives of the meetings were fulfilled with active deliberation and fruitful outcomes as well as follow-up actions for project implementation. The ASEAN Guidelines on the BCA will be submitted for endorsement to the 21st Meeting of the ASWGC in May 2014 in Cambodia. The events received special attention from the local media and were attended by a dozen reporters. The meetings were successfully organized by German International Cooperation (GIZ) in close collaboration with the Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries (MAFF) of Cambodia.