Monitoring key indicators across countries for food security in Asia – experience of the Asia food security information system (AFSIS)

• 1. Monitoring Key Indicators Across Countries for Food Security in Asia Experience of the ASEAN Food Security Information System (AFSIS) By Suriyan Vichitlekarn Asst. Director/Head, Agriculture Industries and Natural Resources Division ASEAN Secretariat Technical Workshop & Conference: Knowledge, Tools and Lessons for Informing the Design and Implementation of Food Security Strategies in Asia 14-16 November 2011, Kathmandu, Nepal One Vision, One Identity, One Community

2. Background & Introduction Food security a long standing agenda both in ASEAN Community building and external ASEAN relations (ASEAN Plus) Food security a dynamic and cross-sectoral issue of which the context evolves through time. Population growth and change of food consumption patterns Food-Fuel-Financial crises 2007/08 & 2010/11 soaring food prices Impacts of climate change, including extreme climate events i.e. floods and droughts, natural disasters, large-scale pest outbreaks Irregular volatility of food commodity prices One Vision, One Identity, One Community 2 3. One Vision, One Identity, One Community 3 AIFS Framework and SPA-FS 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. (World Food Summit, 1996) 4. One Vision, One Identity, One Community 4 AIFS Framework and SPA-FS Goal: To ensure long-term food security and to improve the livelihoods of farmers in the ASEAN region. ASEAN Integrated Food Security (AIFS) Component 1: Food Security Emergency/Shortage Relief Strategic Thrust 1: Strengthen Food Security Arrangements Component 3: Integrated Food Security Information System Strategic Thrust 3: Strengthen Integrated Food Security Information Systems Component 4: Agri-Innovation Strategic Thrusts 4: Promote Sustainable Food Production Strategic Thrusts 5: Encourage Greater Investment in Food and Agro-based Industry Strategic Thrusts 6: Identify and Address Emerging Issues (i.e. Bio-energy, impacts of Climate Change) Related to Food Security Component 2: Sustainable Food Trade Development Strategic Thrust 2: Promote Conducive Food Market and Trade 5. One Vision, One Identity, One Community 5 Expectations from AFSIS A regional mechanism/platform for: A regional self-sustained food security information system Enhancing national agricultural statistics and information systems as a basis for regional cooperation through capacity building Integration of food security related information i.e. climate change, bio-energy Addressing specific information gaps for improvement of food security in the region 6. One Vision, One Identity, One Community 6 Expectations from AFSIS A timely monitoring & planning tool for: Leaders and Ministers Support national/ regional policy planning and intervention Informed decisions of national food stock/ reserve managers and traders 5 Main Commodities and beyond (e.g. including livestocks and fisheries) with better analysis and reporting Other food security related information 7. One Vision, One Identity, One Community 7 Expectations from AFSIS A timely monitoring & planning tool for: Support effective implementation of the regional emergency rice reserve (APTERR) Conducive market and trade of key food commodities Support sustainable food production, R&D, etc. Promoting investment in agriculture Support development of other food security projects/initiatives 8. One Vision, One Identity, One Community 8 Historical Development of AFSIS Before 2003 Regional cooperation project as part of strengthening national agricultural statistical systems Focusing on adopting and implementing international standards and methodologies No clear focus on food security No clear follow-up implementation at the national level due to lack of clear national policy and plan 9. One Vision, One Identity, One Community 9 Historical Development of AFSIS AFSIS a flag ship project a ground breaking for long- term food security information system! Phase I: 2003-2007, Phase II: 2008-2012 Objectives: HRD and regional FS information networking Key coverage: information network system (hard & soft), capacity development (human and institutional), database on key stable food commodities, website, EWI & ACO reports Funding & technical support from Japan, FAO and ADB 10. 10 Strategy: Capacity Building for ASEAN Member Countries Human Resource Development - Trainings for Officials in Member Country - Mutual Technical Cooperation Information Network Development - Database System - Early Warning Information - Agricultural Commodity Outlook - Network equipment AFSIT Center China, Korea Statistics and Information Capacity in ASEAN Member Countries is raised Country Statistical Institution can provide: > Information required for policy planning > Accurate and reliable information > Timely information Food Security in ASEAN + 3 Region is Strengthened Concerned intitutions/initiatives, e.g. APTERR, ASEAN Rice Trade Forum Management Information Advisory support Trainings ASEAN Secretariat Overall Concept of AFSIS Project Japan Technical 11. Challenges & Opportunities AFSIS a self sustained regional networking mechanism From project to strategic partnership Resource mobilisation Coordination: levels, themes, agencies Accuracy and timeliness and expansion of coverage and linkages with other FS related initiatives Inter sub-regional exchange and cooperation on FS information and beyond: countries-countries, AFSIS Sec-SAFSIS Sec, ASEAN Sec-SAARC Sec. One Vision, One Identity, One Community 11 12. Lessons Learnt National FS information systems serve primarily national purposes & requirements. However, working towards regional cooperation framework Regionally comparable data/information system not standardization of methodology FS information, an integral part of FS strategies. FS information system needs investment, plan well (short & long-terms). Be modest at start, expand through time and increased capacity and resources One Vision, One Identity, One Community 12 13. Lessons Learnt Not only tools but means of communication. It needs user interface and sharing platform Make sense of what you have and due consideration on information packaging, presentation and delivery Capacity building: linkages and synergies of human & institutional capacity building Be clear about routine & non-routine, must have & nice to have Policy makers need to be educated as well. But beware, they dont want to be preached. One Vision, One Identity, One Community 13 14. Lessons Learnt Project can help and is needed but sustainability should be thought through at the drawing board. Occasional dialogues between producers and users are needed. Inter-agency coordination requires innovative ideas. Often times, data/information is available but may not be accessible or in the form ready to be used. One Vision, One Identity, One Community 14 15. Thank you One Vision, One Identity, One Community 15 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. (World Food Summit, 1996 and adopted by AIFS Framework, 2009)