August 21 – 25, 2024 - Feed the Future Innovation Lab for Food Security Policy Research, Capacity, and Influence (PRCI) is a project funded by USAID to enhance the ability of local policy research organizations to conduct high-quality food security policy research and influence food security policy more effectively. In Southeast Asia, the Department of Agricultural and Resource Economics at Kasetsart University is leading a regional network of research institutions to ensure that evidence-based agri-food policy research is reliable, timely, and readily available for the policy process towards sustainable food system transformation.

School of Economics, Can Tho University, a regional partner of the PRCI project, organized the Workshop on Food Security Challenges in Marginalized and Vulnerable Areas on 22 - 24 August 2024. The workshop was attended by 14 lecturers and researchers from Thailand, Cambodia, Malaysia, Vietnam and the Philippines. Dr Anita Rosli from the Department of Social Science and Management, Faculty of Humanities, Management and Science (UPM Bintulu Campus) and Dr Mark Buda from the Department of Agribusiness and Bioresource Economics, Faculty of Agriculture (UPM Main Campus) have represented UPM to attend the workshop. The workshop aims to:

1. Provide background information on cross-country research issues and challenges of food security in selected marginalized and vulnerable littoral areas of Cambodia, Malaysia, Thailand, Vietnam and the Philippines
2. Provide analytical tools and conceptual framework for research on food security.
3. Expose researchers to food security challenges in marginalized and vulnerable areas of the Mekong River Delta.
   
   

Program Agenda

22 August 2024

• Keynote speakers have highlighted various issues in food security, such as climate change impacts, water security, research methods for fisheries and aquaculture value chains, application of geo-information technology, food system governance, and ecosystem research in salinity intrusion.
• presentation of food security issues and challenges of marginalized and vulnerable selected areas from Cambodia, Malaysia, Thailand, Vietnam and the Philippines.
• -group discussion on issues and challenges and the way forward
  
  

23 August 2024

• Field visit to the Shrimp - Rice model in Vinh Phu Tay commune, Phuoc Long district, Bac Lieu province
  
  

24 August 2024

• Visit the salt-resistant rice model and exchange with local people in the Vinh Loi district
• Discussion on general research questions, plans for research activities, identifying stakeholders and community activities
• Preparation for the regional forum

Date of Input: 02/09/2024 | Updated: 03/09/2024 | lanz