Tokyo, 18 March 2023: To achieve long-term food system transformation in the face of climate change, applied economists must address critical research questions concerning the economic impacts of agricultural investment, the adoption of appropriate technologies, outreach and extension programmes, and so on. However, translating research findings into evidence-based policy change is critical. Understanding the policy process is critical for this translation, as is conducting policy research at various stages of the process to achieve impact. The Economic Research Institute for ASEAN and East Asia (ERIA) teamed up with Kasetsart University, Michigan State University, International Food Policy Research Institute, Agricultural Economics Society of Thailand Under Royal Patronage, and the Asia-Pacific Association of Agricultural Research Institutions at the 11th Asian Society of Agricultural Economists International Conference on 18 March 2023 in Aoyama Gakuin University, Tokyo, Japan.

The conference aimed to identify types of policy systems and processes in place in Southeast Asia at the national and regional levels; assess their impact on research uptake in policy formulation and implementation; identify effective approaches for policy research; and establish a network of policy researchers, analysts, and experts who understand the policy process and can provide high-quality research evidence for policy translation and impact.

The panel discussion was chaired by Mr Sutkhet Nakasathien, Vice-president of Research and Creation, Kasetsart University, and was joined by Dr Venkatachalam Anbumozhi, ERIA’s Director for Research Strategy and Innovations; Dr Suresh Babu, Economic Researcher at the International Food Policy Research Institute; Mr Witsanu Attavanich, Associate Professor, Kasetsart University; Dr Nafees Meah, Regional Representative for Southeast Asia, International Rice Research Institute, and Ms Imelda Bacudo, Co-chair, Global Alliance on Climate Smart Agriculture. The discussion was moderated by Dr Orachos Napasintuwong, Assistant Professor, Faculty of Economics, Kasetsart University, with Mr Duncan Boughton, Professor, Department of Agricultural, Food and Resource Economics, Michigan State University, as rapporteur.

The conference, with 55 online and 32 on-site participants, featured presenters and panellists who demonstrated, through various case scenarios, that integration science, economics, and decision-making play important roles in tackling multiple challenges.

Some of the key points discussed in the conference are the following:

Achieving sustainable and equitable food systems heavily relies on effective policies, given the scale of externalities generated by agri-food systems and the substantial public subsidies involved. However, the determinants of policies for climate change in Southeast Asia are complex and involve multiple stakeholders, requiring intentional strategies for coordination at each level of governance, from local to global.

This complexity, along with information uncertainty and conflicting incentives, often hinders policymakers, leading to inertia. Hence, flagship events like the United Nations Conference of the Parties can provide a framework to align global and local processes. Strengthening social science research is critical in bringing together the biological sciences and agricultural stakeholders such as farmers, agribusinesses, and consumers, as well as research users and policymakers, who can shape incentives. However, the capacity to conduct research on sustainable food systems is limited, given the urgency and complexity of the problem. Collaboration between social scientists and the science community makes it possible to establish systematic and effective connections with local policy systems, thereby breaking down silos. Ultimately, the effectiveness of the resources is underpinned by the need for interaction and collective action at every level of governance, from international negotiations to local actions. By working together, researchers, policymakers, and other stakeholders can create the conditions for more effective and sustainable policy change.

The conference’s recommendations were provided to the 2nd G20 Agricultural Deputies meeting held in Chandigarh, India, on 29–31 March 2023.

The key conclusions of the workshop are available at https://are.eco.ku.ac.th/2019/en/climate-change-policy-system-in-southeast-asia-from-research-to-policy-actions-towards-sustainable-food-systems-2/.