Seeds of change: Revitalizing Asian Region Food Security Through Multi-Stakeholder Bargaining and Initiatives

Panel Convenor(s)

• EK

  Erja Kettunen-Matilainen

  University of Turku, Finland

Panel Chair(s)

• EK

  Erja Kettunen-Matilainen

  University of Turku, Finland

Presenter(s)

• EK

  Erja Kettunen-Matilainen

  University of Turku, Finland
• AP

  Ayu Pratiwi

  University of Turku, Finland
• RA

  Ratih Adiputri

  University of Jyväskylä, Finland

The world is currently navigating a myriad of crises that significantly impact global food security. From the aftermath of the COVID-19 pandemic to ongoing geopolitical shifts, such as the Russian invasion of Ukraine, the stability of our global food supply chains has been severely tested. At the same time, urgent environmental and ecological challenges have thrust  food producers into uncharted territories of adaptation and resilience.

In response to these challenges, major policy changes have emerged on the global stage. In 2023, the European Union enacted anti-deforestation regulation, preventing commodities linked to deforestation, such as palm oil, coffee and cocoa, from being imported to the region (European Union, 2023). Similarly, a new bill under review in the United States, namely The Fostering Overseas Rule of Law and Environmentally Sound Trade (FOREST) Act of 2021, seeks to outlaw commercial products linked to deforestation such as meat, soy, palm oil, cocoa, rubber, and wood pulp. These legislative shifts profoundly affect Asian regions, particularly Indonesia, as pivotal producers of these essential global commodities.

Asia, with a special focus on Indonesia, is a powerhouse in the agricultural domain. A multitude of smallholder farmers in this region are integral contributors to the production of vital global commodities. Faced with a confluence of global crises and new regulatory landscapes, there is a pressing need for innovative, adaptive, and collaborative strategies to safeguard the resilience and sustainability of the region’s food systems. 
In this panel, our objective is to delve deeper into the understanding of multifaceted strategies and policy responses unfolding in Asian regions, with a nuanced emphasis on Indonesia. Policy responses should encompass whole-of-government and whole-of-society approaches, be country-led, and inclusive of farmers, consumers, civil society, business, and the most-affected (UN General Assembly HLE, 2022). We therefore aim to unveil how various stakeholders, including governments, producers, non-governmental organizations (NGO) and consumers, navigate the complexities of the current global scenario. Our focus also extends to the dynamic interplay between policies and practical approaches that are shaping the future narratives of food security in the region.

Presentations:

• 09:00 – 10:45 (GMT+7)

  The palm oil debate: European NGOs as stakeholders in the policy dialogue
  

  Presenter: Erja Kettunen-Matilainen – University of Turku
• 09:00 – 10:45 (GMT+7)

  Fighting deforestation: Diffusion and adoption of agroforestry systems in networks using randomized control trials in Indonesia
  

  Presenter: Ayu Pratiwi – University of Turku
• 09:00 – 10:45 (GMT+7)

  The Palm Oil debate and policy dialogue in Indonesia
  

  Presenter: Ratih Adiputri – University of Jyväskylä