SINGAPORE, 25 April 2024 – The 18th Meeting of the ASEAN Technical Working Group on Agricultural Research and Development (ATWGARD) took place on 24-25 April 2024 in Singapore. This marked the first in-person meeting of ATWGARD following the COVID-19 pandemic, gathering all ASEAN Member States (AMS) and international partners to deliberate on the Agricultural Research and Development agenda in the region.
During the meeting, AMS exchanged ideas and initiatives to strengthen cooperation in Agricultural Research and Development. The discussions covered various areas such as the development of agricultural research and development information systems, strategies to enhance climate change resilience, mitigation of post-harvest losses, expert exchanges for capacity building, policy, and institutional development, as well as research on aerobic rice technology.
Additionally, the 18th ATWGARD meeting explored initiatives focusing on promoting Nature-based Solutions (NbS) and ecosystem-based approaches, with an emphasis on decarbonisation within AMS. This included efforts to improve soil health, implement integrated pest management, reduce crop burning, promote integrated crop-livestock systems, advance organic fertilizer production and management practices, support climate-smart agriculture, and introduce low-emission rice varieties.
Furthermore, ASEAN, in collaboration with its partners, is undertaking a study on the ASEAN Carbon Neutrality Guidelines for Agriculture. This study aims to provide a comprehensive approach, leveraging modelling tools, key databases, and Monitoring, Reporting, and Verification instruments to help AMS develop tailored strategies to reduce greenhouse gas emissions from the agricultural sector.
Several projects and initiatives with international partners were discussed at the meeting, including; (i) the ASEAN-CGIAR Innovate for Food and Nutrition Security Regional Program; (ii) the promotion of sustainable agricultural value chains (Agritrade); (iii) a collaborative Experience Sharing Project between Turkey and ASEAN Countries on Climate Change Adaptation in the Agricultural Sector; (iv) the ASEAN Sustainable Agriculture Fund and Loan Facility, (v) as well as initiatives addressing the Benefits and Challenges of Digitalization in Agriculture and Food Systems for Enhanced Resilience and Improvement.
For more information, please contact Food, Agriculture Forestry Division: NRU@asean.org
