Agriculture research and development (R&D) and climate change in the Southeast Asian region were highlighted during the two high-level meetings on 4-5 April 2023. The Department of Agriculture (DA), through the Bureau of Agricultural Research (BAR), attended the said meetings.
Co-chaired by DA-BAR OIC-director Joell H. Lales, the 8th ASEAN-Climate Resilience Network (ASEAN-CRN) annual meeting held on 4 April focused on the accomplishments and key messages of the regional activities, as well as updates and plans of the ASEAN member states in line with the network priority areas and activities, and ASEAN policy framework.
In his message, OIC-director Lales underscored the importance of multi-sectoral interactions in creating climate policies that may be institutionalized and effectively executed, and tools, innovations, and collaborations that can greatly contribute to achieving our common development goals.
“We've seen so many opportunities for us to address climate change in all facets and it seems many initiatives are already in place by member countries which other countries can also learn and that is the principle behind networking,” he said.
On 5 April, OIC-director Lales facilitated the 17th ASEAN Technical Working Group on Agricultural Research and Development (ATWGARD), in his capacity as the ATWGARD meeting chair and with the assistance of the ASEAN secretariat.
He presented the current status of agricultural R&D in the country, as well as the government’s thrust and strategic agenda for 2023-2028.
“The thrust that we are following now is community centric. We want to focus more on areas with high poverty incidence, low agricultural productivity, and we want to focus more on beneficiaries and communities, especially those who are in vulnerable groups and societies,” said OIC-director Lales.
“For modalities, we want to follow a convergence-type approach, we want to engage the sector, the whole-of-a-nation approach, so by the end of the day the transfer of knowledge and technologies are more effective, more efficient and will ensure that it is responsive and market-driven. That’s why we’re tagging with such a line of ‘Raising the BAR of Excellence’,” he added.
The policy framework related to ASEAN cooperation in agricultural R&D, ASEAN Agricultural Research and Development Information System, and the ASEAN Multi-Sectoral Framework on Climate Change: Agriculture and Forestry towards Food Security were also discussed during the meeting.
“As members of the agriculture and fisheries R&D sector, I believe that we have done a lot to overcome these challenges — crafting comprehensive R&D programs, implementing projects, and facilitating activities to serve as catalysts for sustained growth and development. But more is yet to be done,” said OIC-director Lales.
Singapore will be hosting the next meeting in 2024, following the ASEAN protocol.