Asean Food Security Strategies Require Regional Shift
A new policy review urges member states to prioritize regional collaboration to combat persistent food insecurity.
Updated on Oct. 21, 2026 in Organic Food
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A policy review published in the Asian Journal of Agriculture and Development recommends that Southeast Asian nations shift food security strategies toward regional resilience. The report calls for linking complementary strengths rather than pursuing individual self-sufficiency.
Why it matters
Current policies focusing on domestic production fall short when faced with multiple simultaneous shocks. The region remains vulnerable because food insecurity persists despite high levels of agricultural output.
Approximately 14 percent of people in Southeast Asia face moderate or severe food insecurity, while 5.1 percent of the population remains undernourished. These metrics persist even as the region sustains high levels of food production.
The players
Paul Teng
He is an author of the policy review who serves as a researcher at the ISEAS-Yusof Ishak Institute.
ISEAS-Yusof Ishak Institute
This is a Singapore-based research institution that focuses on regional social, political, and economic issues in Southeast Asia.
The details
The report, titled Asean Food Security in an Era of Polycrisis, suggests that maintaining open food trade and coordinating emergency responses are essential. It advocates for leveraging the diverse, complementary strengths of member states to better handle regional challenges.
Timeline
2026-30 marks the period covered by the Asean Food, Agriculture and Forestry Sectoral Plan.
Culture Shift
The report advocates for a departure from isolated national food planning toward a model of integrated regional resilience. It suggests that the current Asean Food, Agriculture and Forestry Sectoral Plan 2026-30 should be expanded to address complex, multi-shock crises.
The proposed shift toward regional cooperation could eventually stabilize food availability and prices for consumers across the member states. Residents may see more coordinated responses to supply disruptions as governments align their trade and emergency policies.
The takeaway
Regional resilience requires shifting from a focus on individual national self-sufficiency to shared resource management. Policymakers and citizens should monitor how regional trade agreements evolve to better address systemic food vulnerabilities.
Further reading
For broader context on regional sustainability, visit the Organic Food section.
Source note: This article includes information reported by The Manila times.
Live Poll
Is regional cooperation a better way to ensure national food security than focusing on domestic production?
