The transformation of sustainable agrifood systems requires a more coordinated response across multiple policy levels, particularly to ensure food security and livelihoods in the Asia-Pacific region, according to the report of Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) placed at the One Country One Product (OCOP) second regional organizing group meeting in China.
Twenty-two countries in the region have identified twenty distinct Special Agricultural Products (SAPs) that are often neglected compared to staple crops. These products have not yet fully benefitted from research and agricultural development programmes.
However, they are important examples of agricultural products which contribute to ensuring food security and healthy diets and has a potential to be integrated into mainstream high-value domestic, regional, and international value chains and markets.
“By bringing science and innovation to the forefront, this new network will help countries maximize the value of their unique agricultural products,” said Jong-Jin Kim, FAO Assistant Director-General and Regional Representative for Asia and the Pacific.
“We are creating pathways for inclusive growth, sustainable agriculture, and improved food security by developing SAPs that are culturally significant and ecologically adaptable.”
The network is built on strategic partnerships with leading institutions, including the Institute of Geographical Sciences and Natural Resources Research (IGSNRR-CAS) at the Chinese Academy of Sciences, the Institute of Nutrition at Mahidol University in Thailand, and other global research organizations.
