More than a hundred stakeholders from the region spent two days deliberating on establishing a network of high-caliber, like-minded institutions with a unified goal of driving agricultural transformation toward sustainable and inclusive development in Southeast Asia. Held on 20-21 June 2024 at SEARCA headquarters in Los Baños, the Philippines, and also livestreamed, it included representatives from government, academia, the private sector, producer groups, civil society organizations, research institutions, and development partners.
Called a 'Regional Stakeholder Consultation Workshop for the Consortium for Agricultural Development, Research, and Extension in Southeast Asia' (CADRE), it was organized by the Southeast Asian Regional Center for Graduate Study and Research in Agriculture (SEARCA), in collaboration with the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN). Inputs and recommendations were gathered from potential CADRE members and partners, focusing on how to establish operational strategies and activities, identify the research agenda, and develop a theory of change and impact pathways.
The first panel discussion took a deep dive into the region's current research gaps and priorities in agriculture sector, facilitated by Roehlano M. Briones, Senior Research Fellow at the Philippine Institute for Development Studies. The panel included esteemed members from the ASEAN secretariat, SEAMEO secretariat, CropLife Asia, Asian Farmers' Association for Sustainable Rural Development, FAO, Grow Asia, IRRI, and the World Vegetable Center. The discussion focused on regional trends that CADRE should prioritize. Those include climate change, urbanization, changing food habits, food safety among others. Participants shared lessons learned related to the use and adoption of innovations, policies, and practices to create more resilient nutritious and sustainable agri-food systems.
Three breakout sessions followed, that focused on (1) identifying critical research gaps and priority issues in the region's agriculture sector, (2) theory of change and impact pathways for key research topics within the themes of crop improvement, crop and crop residue management, digital agriculture, regenerative production systems, human capital development, and nutrition, and (3) defining CADRE's activities and programs, aligning them with the consortium's vision and mission and emphasizing five key components: collaborative research, policy and program development, knowledge management, capacity building and technical assistance, and partnerships.
The second panel discussion, moderated by Dr Nur, included representatives from SEARCA, Myanmar's Ministry of Agriculture, Kasetsart University, Thailand, IRRI, GIZ and Bayer. Discussions revolved around CADRE's operational methods and strategies, potential partnerships, and ensuring transparency, accountability, and consortium sustainability. The consultation workshop discussed with optimism about the creation of a regional research consortium, building on the multistakeholder commitment and collaboration that is pivotal for transforming towards a more resilient, inclusive, and sustainable agriculture sector in Southeast Asia.