Strengthening local food systems for small-scale farmers in the Asian and Pacific region

Globalization of agriculture contributed to the availability of foods at relatively cheap price for consumers worldwide. However, it has also brought such negative impacts as concerns on food safety, damages in the ecosystem, and increased emission of greenhouse gas (GHG). Experts say people are recently paying more attention to the value of local food (locally grown and processed) from multiple dimensions, including environmental, economic, social and nutritional health so there is a need to strengthen local food systems in Asia. Local food systems refer to all processes that connect to make local food an essential component of the nation's food supply system.

The objectives of the workshop are: 1) to provide scientists, policy makers, farmers and consumers with the opportunity to exchange relevant information and experiences on the development of local food systems in various Asian countries and; 2) to present the advantages and disadvantages of different local food systems in Asia and discuss promising and innovative food systems.

Asian foods in multiple dimensions

A common thread that was evident in the papers presented was actually summed up by one speaker who said "people today are exploring the fundamental values of local food supply from multiple dimensions, including social, economic, health and environment." It was also reported that many governments around the world have set policy measures to construct an Alternative Agro Food Networks (AAFNs) or Short Food Supply Chains (SFSCs) to promote re-localization of agriculture under the umbrella of globalization.

In Taiwan, for example, the "local grow/local consume," and the development of organic farming and specialty agricultural products catering to niche markets as well as the subsequent development of agri-tourism paved the way to form alternative food supply system and revitalize the country's economy.

In Seoul, Korea, the development of urban agriculture has been found to significantly reduce transportation and change the way people perceive farming. The rise of rooftop gardens are seen as good green projects although high land prices and environmental regulations are regarded as hurdles.

Solitary living, the television watching habit, advancement of women and continuous modernization has changed the Japanese diet. But events like the Food Cultural Festival in Miyagi, the Green Farm in Nagano Prefecture, "Good Food for Everybody Project" have made a lot of Japanese people appreciate their food culture.

Intelligent alternatives

Increased dependence on rice in Indonesia also increased the risk of food insecurity in the country. Diversification, like the planting of cassava, has become the intelligent alternative. In this country, cassava is used as a raw material for modified flour.

The National Agricultural Cooperative Federation in Korea's school meal services have been one of the driving forces in strengthening one of its local food systems. The revised policy based on the School Meals Act enacted in 1981 expanded the school meals program between 1992 and 2002.

In the Philippines, rice and vegetables play important roles in the country's food security. Program like the "SooPinoy Campaign (educating people on the rich flavorful history of Philippine cuisine), "Oh My Gulay," (an advocacy program to alleviate nutritional deficiencies among underprivileged families) have been found effective to cluster farmers, link the producers to institutional markets and enhance local food systems by empowering farmers with technological know-how, advocacy campaigns and creation of trading posts.

In Thailand, the recent launching of the "School Lunch" program, in cooperation with the government and the private sector not only aimed to provide nutritious food for the students, but also introduced them to the concept of sustainable agriculture. This was part of Thailand's reform policy to include the intensification of local food systems which is focused on food security, economic stability and ecoenvironmentally friendly.

In Vietnam, urban markets are a major driver for agricultural development. Some initiatives to develop the farmers' organization and value chain of local products include the Geographical Indication (GI) or Collective Brand. Vietnamese consumers have been found to be very sensitive to the origin and traceability of products. Certain initiatives like the promotion of local products for local markets and opening new marketing channels for producers have been opened for more proactive policy to promote Vietnam's future local food systems.

Prospects and recommendations

Some of the important issues raised during the discussion part of the workshop were the following: The importance of niche markets and the peculiarities of local culture in strengthening local food systems; food safety, food quality and a friendly environment are the major factors that will dictate the future direction of local food systems; the valuable role of women, innovations and technologies contribute a lot to the strengthening of local food systems.

The workshop participants made some suggestions and recommendations so that efforts to strengthen local food systems in Asia can be continued and further developed. These are the following:

• 1. A strategic alliance between producers, traders and sellers should be in place in order to enhance market development, as well as a network of local food systems experts. This group can help review the Good Agricultural Practices (GAPs) or set its own criteria to ensure high quality food
• 2. There is a need to adapt new and unconventional marketing strategies to further strengthen local food systems. This includes the development of face-to-face marketing, use of cyberspace, telephone and other electronic or digital gadgets.
• 3. Education of the younger generation should be a priority in order for them to be familiarized with the importance of the local food systems, traceability of foods, introduction of local interventions, creative promotions like website design, etc. to attract the youth.
• 4. Tapping cooperatives, as the experience of the NACF shows, is an effective strategy in order to strengthen local food systems. This strategy could be adapted in other Asian countries as well.

Strengthening local food systems for small-scale farmers in the Asian and Pacific region

Held in Seoul, Korea, 17-21 October 2011

No. of participating countries: 7 (Taiwan, Korea, Japan,

Philippines, Thailand, Vietnam, Indonesia)

No. of papers presented: 9

Co-sponsor: National Agricultural Cooperative

Federation (NACF), Korea

List of papers

Resource papers

• 1. Current situation and strategies for developing
• alternative local food system in Taiwan
• - Jong-Wen Wann
• 2. A strategy to strengthen the local food systems in
• Korea: urban agriculture
• - Hogun Chong
• 3. The importance of restoring local food systems and
• progress and challenges in Japan
• - Eiichi Tsutaya, Japan
• 4. Development of cassava-based industry to enhance
• food security in Indonesia
• - Benny Rachman
• 5. The national agricultural cooperative federation's strategy for school meal services aimed at boosting Korea's local agriculture
• - Sam-Seob Lee
• 6. Strengthening local food systems for sustainable agriculture in the Philippines
• - Jocelyn Eusebio
• 7. The successful experience of local safety food supply
• chain in Taiwan
• - Sheng-Tun Hwang
• 8. Strengthening local food systems in Thailand
• - Sudsai Trevanich
• 9. Local food systems in Vietnam: strengths and
• opportunities
• - Dao The Anh

For further information, contact: Ho Kyum Lee, FFTC

Index of Images

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  The Korea workshop participants visit a supermarket in Seoul to observe how fresh fruits and vegetables are packed, delivered and displayed before they are finally bought by consumers.

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  Delegates of the “Local Food Systems” workshop visit the Byeok Je Agricultural Cooperative in Seoul suburb to observe the operations of the cooperative. The discussions mostly focus on the marketing systems and distribution channels of agricultural produce being grown by farmers from various areas of South Korea.