Many countries in Southeast Asia have successfully reached the Millennium Development Goal (MDG) target in halving the proportion of hunger by 2015. Yet, challenges still remain in completely addressing hunger in the long run. Problems on persisting malnutrition and rising trend in obesity and overweight is also becoming a concern as reported by the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO). Long term solution to achieve food security and better nutrition require strengthening of agricultural sector and the food systems.
“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” – 1996 World Food Summit
The ASEAN Sectoral Working Group on Crops (ASWGC) has oversight of the ASEAN Cooperation in crop sub-sector. The ASWGC has its own Strategic Plan of Action for ASEAN Cooperation on Crops (SPA-Crops). ASEAN Cooperation on Crops dedicates itself towards achieving food security and nutrition as outlined in Strategic Thrust 3: Ensure food security, food safety, better nutrition and equitable distribution under its Strategic Plan of Action (SPA).
The main action programmes under this strategic thrust are to effectively implement the AIFS Framework and SPA-FS 2015 – 2020 through alignment of relevant activities; and collaborate with relevant ASEAN bodies in finalizing and implementing the ASEAN Food Safety Policy (AFSP) through the development of ASEAN Food Security Framework.
