While regional governments continue to largely exempt food and agriculture sectors to ensure continuity with food production, farmers are still adapting. Pre-COVID-19 issues impacting smallholders (access to labor, markets, technology and finance) have only been exacerbated by lockdowns, border closures and movement restrictions. In some instances, gaps between related national policies and on-the-ground state/provincial realities have also come to light. On the whole, this has highlighted the fragile nature of ‘Food Security’ in ASEAN and reinforced the critical need to better enable and empower the region’s smallholder farmers. CropLife Asia shares experiences and Learnings for ASEAN to enhance food production resiliency in COVID-19 context.
Industry Recommendations for Food Production Resiliency
- Leveraging ‘Fast Track’ registration and introduction of agricultural innovative solutions
- Cross-border sharing of science-based, predictable regulations to promote digital agriculture applications, utility of drones, plant breeding innovations, and other technologies that can enhance regional smallholder production
- Promoting greater use of mechanisation and technological solutions to reduce labour-intensiveness