Khon Kaen, Thailand – November 5, 2024 – Recognizing the value of a strong food system in improving people’s well-being, the Mekong Institute (MI), with the support of the Government of the People’s Republic of China, hosted a regional webinar on “Promoting Sustainable and Nutrition-Sensitive Agriculture Development in the Lancang-Mekong Countries.” Bringing together 67 participants from the six Lancang-Mekong countries, the event provided experts, researchers, and practitioners with a platform for sharing insights, policies, and innovations aimed at developing nutrition-sensitive and climate-smart regional food value chains.
In his opening remarks, Mr. Suriyan Vitchitlekarn, Executive Director of MI, underscored the importance of regional collaboration through initiatives like the Lancang-Mekong Cooperation (LMC). “Through shared commitment and regional partnerships, we can develop sustainable food systems that address nutrition challenges and ensure the well-being of all citizens, furthering dialogue and collective regional action,” said Mr. Suriyan.
Professor Anil Kumar Anal, Chair of Food Innovation, Nutrition, and Health at the Asian Institute of Technology (AIT), highlighted the need for interdisciplinary collaboration. He said that “Food insecurity and malnutrition disproportionately affect communities in developing regions, where millions still lack access to nutritious food. Advances in technology, science, and policy provide us with the tools to bridge the nutrition gap and build resilient food systems.”
Dr. Pham Van Hoi from the Vietnam National University of Agriculture stressed the value of agroecological approaches., “Agroecological practices provide a pathway toward food systems that nourish both people and the planet. Our goal is to integrate biodiversity and resilience into every farming practice, ensuring nutritious food is accessible, safe, and sustainably produced,” she explained.
Mr. Ankur Aggarwal, Nutrition Specialist at the International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD), highlighted the success of community-led initiatives in Lao PDR. He noted that Farmer Nutrition Schools demonstrate the transformative power of community-driven efforts. “By empowering local communities, we are not only improving nutrition but also building sustainable livelihoods for the most vulnerable.”
Representing World Vision Cambodia, Mr. Sophorn Chhun, Senior Technical Specialist for ERL Food Security & Livelihood, and Ms. Kirsty Milev, Program Quality Director, discussed their project Improving the Food Nutrition Security and Resilience of Vulnerable Farming Households (IFNSR) in Cambodia. Reflecting on the lessons learned, they said that “Coaching and mentoring are crucial for providing households with tailored support. Hands-on training and follow-up have empowered families to adopt new skills, such as cultivating diverse vegetables and reducing chemical fertilizer use.”
Professor Yang Yong from the Agricultural Information Institute at the Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences shared China’s experiences in adopting a comprehensive approach to food systems. He advocated for the concepts of Big Food and Big Nutrition, which emphasize the need for a holistic strategy. “We must align food production with public health and ecological sustainability to drive lasting positive change,” he noted, stressing how China’s integrated approach seeks to balance nutrition, environmental health, and economic resilience.
This webinar marked an important step toward promoting multi-sectoral approaches to food security in the region. It demonstrated MI’s dedication to advancing regional cooperation and capacity-building initiatives to establish resilient, nutrition-sensitive agrifood systems that meet the needs of all communities in the Lancang-Mekong region.
