Asian LivestockChallenges, Opportunities
and the response
August 16‐17, 2012Orchid Sheraton, Bangkok
Poverty, food security, livestock and smallholder
August 16‐17, 2012Orchid Sheraton, Bangkok
Steve StaalVinod Ahuja
Poverty Incidence
Undernourishment by region
Total Undernourished in developing countries: 827 million
Source: FAO. 2012. WORLD AGRICULTURE TOWARDS 2030/2050, The 2012 Revision
Household level income multipliers
Changing commodity consumption of foods—South Asia
Source: FAO. 2012. WORLD AGRICULTURE TOWARDS 2030/2050, The 2012 Revision
Changing commodity consumption of foods—East Asia
Source: FAO. 2012. WORLD AGRICULTURE TOWARDS 2030/2050, The 2012 Revision
Some issues and debates
• Technology and institutions• Public‐private roles• Smallholder capacity
• International trade
Issues and debates
• Cooperatives, producer companies, farmer business associations, self‐help groups
• Innovation platforms
• Contract farming
• Business development services
Guidance sought from the forum
• The experience with collectives is mixed and the private sector role is growing. What is continued role of collectives in Asian livestock systems? Should priority be to a business model approach (e.g. producer company, Hub, contract farming)?
• Given the continued large role of traditional markets across most of Asia, what is best role of public policy and investment to upgrade those?
• What are the policy options and institutional arrangement for guiding private investment so as to capitalize on the sector potential in contributing to more equitable growth?
Guidance sought from the forum• Some suggest pro‐poor emphasis should be on ruminants,
where smallholders seem competitive. What should be policy position and strategy?
• Smallholder still producing most of livestock in the region. What are policy strategies ‐ support out‐migration, or competitiveness?
• The nature of public and private services to plan for and respond to market and climate risks in a timely manner?
• What are possible institutional mechanisms for improving regional harmonization and collaboration?
Thank you