FOREWORD

Diversification has been pursued in many countries as a way to improve the long-term viability of agriculture by enhancing the profitability and overall stability of the sector. The shift to other crops or economic activities, however, has not been an easy undertaking, particularly for small farmers. Government assistance in terms of more supportive policies and better infrastructure has, therefore, played a critical role in the promotion of diversification programs. With globalization further stimulating trade, developing countries in the region are being afforded greater opportunities for expanding the range of agricultural products that they can market abroad. However, expanded trade has also brought with it increased competition and hence the need for countries to focus diversification programs on agricultural activities where they have a competitive advantage.

Accordingly, in May 2001, the APO organized a Study Meeting on Agricultural Diversification and International Competitiveness in Japan to discuss the salient features and progress of agricultural diversification in Asia and the Pacific with the view to promoting it further as a key strategy for enhancing the international competitiveness of agriculture in the region. The study meeting concluded, among others, that diversification should be viewed as a first step in the process of achieving competitiveness. This will require the fostering of a favorable environment enabling farmers to determine the crops that could be efficiently produced for higher profit and achieve greater competitive advantage. In this regard, a number of requisites for creating such an environment were identified, such as: 1) investments in R&D to strengthen knowledge-based agriculture; 2) provision of adequate infrastructure and production and marketing facilities; 3) elimination of nontrade barriers; and 4) provision of relevant technology/knowledge, particularly productivity and management techniques/tools necessary for meeting international standards.

This volume is a compilation of the papers and proceedings of the study meeting. I hope that it will serve as a useful reference on the subject in APO member countries.

The APO is grateful to the Government of Japan for hosting the study meeting, and in particular to the Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries for providing financial and technical assistance, and to the Japan Association for International Collaboration of Agriculture and Forestry for implementing the program. Special thanks are due to Dr. Mubarik Ali for editing the present volume.

– TAKASHI TAJIMA, APO Secretary-General, Tokyo, July 2004