“Biotechnology in Ornamental plants” participants on a site visit, ROC

This department implements projects aimed at promoting the sustainable development of agriculture, improving the processing and marketing of agricultural and food products, and enhancing integrated community development. Other activities cover the monitoring and reviewing of policy issues, both national and global, that have implications for the productivity and competitiveness of the food and agriculture sector and agribusiness in member countries.

Agriculture, including fisheries, forestry, and related industries, continues to play an important role in the economy of member countries and contributes substantially to livelihoods and employment in most. Improving productivity in agriculture and related industries is critical to addressing poverty in developing member countries since the bulk of their poor population lives in rural areas and works in agriculture and allied industries. The increasing globalization and liberalization of trade in agricultural products and global consumers’ preference for safe and environment-friendly food products means that the sector in member countries must become more competitive. This necessitates improving productivity and meeting the requirements of consumers in major markets for product quality and food safety, including the use of production techniques that satisfy social and environmental concerns. Given these strategic imperatives, the APO consciously considers all these dimensions in the formulation of its Food and Agriculture Program.

 

SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT IN AGRICULTURE

Collecting predators and insects from vegetable fields, Indonesia

The sustainable socioeconomic development of APO member countries is assured when the agriculture and rural sector grows in harmony with other sectors, societal values, resource development, and environmental concerns. Activities in this area emphasize learning from the experiences of others, sharing advanced knowledge and skills, and changing mindsets for sustainable development. Some subject areas dealt with are:

• Green Technologies and Practices in Paddy Farming
• Management of Agrochemical Residues in Food
• Agrotourism Development
• Biological Control of Insect Pests
• Knowledge Management Tools for Strengthening Agricultural Research

 

PROCESSING AND MARKETING
OF AGRICULTURAL PRODUCTS

The region’s agroindustries are facing shifting consumer demand and competition. The region’s producers and traders are now realizing that meeting food safety standards is crucial for trade expansion. The key to coping with these is establishing value innovation through diversification of products, improving the quality and safety of products and developing effective marketing systems. For this purpose, various projects are being implemented in such areas as:

• Biofuel Production and Consumption
• Good Management Practices in Agro-based Rural SMEs
• Modern Quality Control and Inspection Systems for Food Products
• Development of Safe and Reliable Food Supply Chains
• ISO22000: Food Safety Management and Hazard Analysis and Critical Control Point

 

INTEGRATED COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT

Participants visiting a “One Tambon, One Product” Village, Thailand

The Integrated Community Development (ICD) Program aims to assist member countries to achieve balanced regional development, especially establishing equitable, sustainable, self-managed local communities through poverty alleviation, generation of rural employment, development of social infrastructure and entrepreneurial skills, and uplifting the social status and role of disadvantaged segments of society, including women. The ICD Program therefore promotes the sharing of experiences and mutual learning on issues relevant to community development among APO member countries. The wide-ranging program focuses on individual and institutional capacity building through a series of international and national activities. Some pertinent subject areas are:

• Application of Kaizen for Community Development
• One Village, One Product Movement
• Saemaul Undong Movement in Korea and Roadside Markets
• Microcredit and Innovative Financing Schemes
• Participatory Project Cycle Management

Agriculture Department staff members

Agriculture Department Tel: 81-3-5226-3924 Fax: 81-3-5226-3954 Email: agr@apo-tokyo.org