ASEAN cooperation in the agriculture sector dated back as early as 1968, with cooperation in food production and supply. In 1977, the scope of cooperation was broadened to include the greater area of agriculture and forestry as the needs have increased. Currently, the specific areas under the ASEAN cooperation in food, agriculture and forestry includes food security, food handling, crops, livestock, fisheries, agricultural training and extension, agricultural cooperatives, forestry and joint cooperation in agriculture and forest products promotion scheme.
The basic objective of the ASEAN Cooperation in Food, Agriculture and Forestry is to formulate and implement regional cooperation activities to enhance the international competitiveness of ASEAN’s food, agriculture and forestry products as well as further strengthen the food security arrangement in the region and joint position in international fora.
In line with seven priorities, identified by the Ministerial Understanding on ASEAN Cooperation in Food, Agriculture and Forestry, signed in Bandar Seri Begawan on 28 October 1993, ASEAN developed its Strategic Plan of Action on ASEAN Cooperation in Food, Agriculture and Forestry for the period of 1999-2004. The Plan of Action emphasizes on six (6) strategic thrusts to achieve the objective of the Cooperation. The Strategic Thrusts are:
i. Strengthening of Food Security Arrangements in the Region
ii. Enhancement of International Competitiveness of ASEAN Food and Agricultural Products/ Commodities
iii. Enhancement of ASEAN Cooperation and Joint Approaches on International and Regional Issues
iv. Development and Acceleration of Transfer and Adoption of New Technologies
v. Enhancement of Private Sector Involvement
vi. Management, Sustainable Utilization and Conservation of Natural Resources
For the forestry sector, ASEAN, specifically developed five (5) strategic thrusts, namely:
i. Sustainable Forest Management
ii. Strengthening ASEAN cooperation and Joint Approaches in addressing international and regional forestry issues
iii. Promotion of intra-and extra-ASEAN trade in forest products and private sector participation
iv. Increasing productivity and efficient utilization of forest products
v. Capacity building and human resources development.
Under the established strategic thrusts, ASEAN had implemented numerous cooperation projects in food, agriculture and forestry sectors, which covered a wide spectrum of activities ranging from exchange of information on supply and demand of major food commodities (rice. Maize, soybean and sugar), crop production, handling and postharvest technology to research and extension services in the four areas of crops, livestock, fisheries, and forestry.
The ASEAN Cooperation in Food, Agriculture and Forestry is guided by the ASEAN Ministers on Agriculture and Forestry (AMAF) which is supported by the Senior Officials Meeting (SOM). Under the SOM, several permanent subsidiary bodies (Board, Sectoral Working Group, Committee) in-charge for the respective cooperation sectors. Under the permanent subsidiary bodies, task forces and experts groups may establish to undertake planning and implementation of specific activities within a specific time-frame.
