Food Issues Facing New and Emerging Economies of Southeast Asia

Abstract

This chapter provides an overview of the trends and challenges facing food (in)security in Southeast (SE) Asian countries, along with policies and community best programs to strengthen the regional and national food and nutrition security across the subcontinent. It addresses the following issues: 1. The major differences between countries in Southeast (SE) Asia and the implication for food insecurity across SE Asia countries. 2. The nutrition transition and food insecurity and related problems in Southeast Asia. 3. The regional and government responses in reducing food- and nutrient-related problems across the subregion, including those effective interventions for increasing food and nutrient security in SE Asia countries. The chapter begins with a brief overview of the SE Asia and then turns to the current food and nutrition (in)security situation in the subregion. This is then followed by a discussion of the major roles that regional and governments in the subregion play across a variety of food-related determinants including food production, consumption and trade. The chapter will subsequently look at any intervention-or community-based programs that are having a high impact on food and nutrition security in SE Asia. The chapter is then ended with a conclusion section.