Jakarta, 27 October 2021: The 43rd meeting of the ASEAN Ministers on Agriculture and Forestry (AMAF) and associated meetings were held virtually on 27 October. Prof Hidetoshi Nishimura, President of the Economic Research Institute for ASEAN and East Asia (ERIA), presented ERIA’s research projects on food value chain at the 21st meeting of the ASEAN Ministers on Agriculture and Forestry and the Ministers of Agriculture of the People’s Republic of China, Japan, and the Republic of Korea (AMAF Plus Three).

Prof Hidetoshi Nishimura delivered a presentation explaining the activities and policy recommendations of two research projects: 1) Enhancing food supply chain resilience and food security in ASEAN with utilization of digital technologies, and 2) Realization of higher value added of agricultural products in ASEAN countries through development of effective cold chains.

In his presentation, Prof Nishimura explained that the project on utilization of digital technologies was designed and implemented to: 1) conduct studies on assessment of digital technology adaptation and government initiatives in food and agriculture sector and 2) support the preparation of the ‘ASEAN Guidelines on Promoting the Utilization of Digital Technologies in the Food and Agriculture Sector’ which was endorsed at the 43rd AMAF. Also, he stressed the importance of a data-driven approach for digitalizing agriculture, and the use of FinTech and traceability systems enhanced with digital technology for enhancing food supply chain resilience.

With regard to the study on cold chain development, he recommended the establishment of specialized governmental institutions or consolidated teams at the national levels to focus on the development of cold chains. Lastly, Prof Nishimura concluded his presentation by expressing ERIA’s further support for addressing important emerging issues such as a sustainable agriculture and food system for ASEAN.

Several Ministers of ASEAN Member States provided interventions to Prof Nishimura’s presentation, stressing the importance of using digital technologies in agricultural production and marketing, and expressing appreciation of ERIA’s support in preparation of the ASEAN Guidelines and expected its continued support in other priority areas.

ERIA was honoured that the Joint Press Statement of the 21st AMAF Plus Three and the 43rd AMAF meetings appreciated ERIA’s support in formulating the ASEAN Guidelines on Promoting the Utilization of Digital Technologies in the Food and Agriculture Sector.

Joint Press Statement of 21st AMAF Plus Three Meeting

9. The Meeting expressed their appreciation to the Economic Research Institute for ASEAN and East Asia (ERIA) for their support and contribution in conducting the research projects on the utilization of digital technologies for food value chain resilience and the development of the cold chain in ASEAN, including the conduct of the knowledge sharing workshops. The Meeting also thanked ERIA for the support in formulating the ASEAN Guidelines on Promoting the Utilisation of Digital Technologies in the Food and Agriculture Sector and looked forward to the continued collaboration in other priority areas such as food systems and sustainable agriculture.

Joint Press Statement of 43rd AMAF Meeting

10. The Meeting noted with satisfaction the endorsement of the ASEAN Guidelines on Promoting the Utilisation of Digital Technologies for ASEAN Food and Agricultural Sector that will equip the ASEAN with recommendations and implementation considerations for making an informed decision that will shape agriculture’s digital transformation in the region. The Guidelines will outline conditions and actions needed to make use of digital technologies for agriculture and food system improvements, including interventions to facilitate digital technology uptake in the food and agricultural sectors. In this regard, the Meeting appreciated the support of the Economic Research Institute of ASEAN and East Asia in the preparation of the Guidelines.