ISLAMABAD (TDI): On Friday,the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) has launched new science and innovation network for transformation of agrifood systems in Asia-Pacific region.
The FIA has emphasized the need for a coordinated approach to transform sustainable agrifood systems aimed at ensuring food security and livelihoods in the Asia-Pacific region.
This call to action came during the One Country One Product (OCOP) second regional organizing group meeting held in China today.
FAO Launched New Science and Innovation Network
At the meeting, the FAO highlighted that twenty-two countries in the region have identified twenty distinct Special Agricultural Products (SAPs). These twenty district, often ignored compared to staple crops.
Despite this, they play a crucial role in ensuring food security and promoting healthy diets. The FAO sees a significant opportunity to integrate these SAPs into mainstream high-value domestic, regional, and international markets.
Jong-Jin Kim, FAO Assistant Director-General and Regional Representative for Asia and the Pacific, emphasized the transformative potential of these products.
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“By bringing science and innovation to the forefront, this new network will help countries maximize the value of their unique agricultural products,” Kim stated.
“We are creating pathways for inclusive growth, sustainable agriculture, and improved food security by developing SAPs that are culturally significant and ecologically adaptable.”
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The initiative involves strategic partnerships with leading institutions, comprising the Institute of Geographical Sciences and Natural Resources Research (IGSNRR-CAS) at the Chinese Academy of Sciences and the Institute of Nutrition at Mahidol University in Thailand.
These collaborations will employ advanced methodologies such as the Geographical Indications, Environment, and Sustainability (GIES) approach.
This approach aims to ensure traceability, monitor environmental impacts, and enhance the nutritional value of SAP-based foods.
