panel session asean and agriculture synthesis of discussions 4 october 2005
TRANSCRIPT
Panel sessionASEAN and agriculture
Synthesis of discussions
4 October 2005
ASEAN agri policies and programs
• General objective : manage agri sector efficiently
• Specific objective: enhance food security and global competitiveness
• ASEAN’s sectors of cooperation/program areas
• 7priority areas
Asean agri policies and programs
• Food security reserve board-put up rice emergency reserve-the board report every year to the AMAF; inform on the supply and demand status; serves as early warning system-chairperson is from Myanmar/Burma
• On pesticide monitoring-there is a working group to inform re pesticide utilization-monitoring and regulation done at country level through pesticide boards; standards have been set (CODEX)
• On sustainable agriculture-no ASEAN specific project
Issues and concerns
• Poverty prevalent in rural areas in Asia
- lack of access and control of resources
• Concerns about sustainable agriculture-marketing system and market access-access to quality input, training-aging farmer population-unfavorable policies
Proposals to ASEAN
• Discuss producers’ access to land and resources and include in ASEN provisions/charter
• Mainstream sustainable agricultural policies and practices
• Regular consultations with representatives from civil society and farmers’ groups ( similar to UN)
• Extend invitations to CSO reps/farmer leaders as input speakers in ASEAN meetings
• Utilize CSOs in policy research and analysis
Civil society action points
• Active participation of CSO reps/farmer leaders in policy deliberations and decision-making
• Disseminate ASEAN policies and programs and in providing feedback
• Research and documentation of sustainable agricultural practices and impact of ASEAN policies and programs in agriculture
Some entry points
• Some NGOs invited in AMAF meetings; ASEAN can make guidelines to invite CSOs, but then up to national governments who to invite
• Re: joint approaches – depend on issues , concerned countries form a joint committee