Agriculture is the backbone of the Greater Mekong Subregion’s economies. With over 60% of the subregion’s 340 million inhabitants engaged in small-scale agriculture, it directly supports the livelihoods of nearly 200 million people.
The Working Group on Agriculture (WGA) has been working toward the implementation of priority projects under the Core Agriculture Support Program.
While agriculture is the cornerstone of many families’ livelihoods, it is also exacting a toll on the environment, contributing to forest and biodiversity loss, water pollution and shortages, soil degradation, and greenhouse gas emissions.
People and governments in the Greater Mekong Subregion are working to develop agricultural practices that simultaneously conserve land and water resources, while at the same time increasing the productivity and profitability of agriculture, particularly for small-scale farmers.
Countries are pooling resources and expertise to increase the competitiveness of their agricultural products and encourage investment in agribusiness, while at the same time conserving the environment and natural resources. This involves research and technology that emphasizes climate-friendly agricultural development, including participation by the private sector with a focus on food security. This work is being guided by the Core Agriculture Support Program Phase II (CASP II) 2011-2020, supported by the Government of Sweden (Sida), Nordic Development Fund, Water Financing Partnership Facility, and Asian Development Bank.
At the 2nd GMS Agriculture Ministers' Meeting in Siem Reap, Cambodia on 6-8 September 2017, the ministers endorsed a strategy to promote safe and environment-friendly agriculture products, and a plan to strengthen value chain integration, involving smallholder farmers, rural women, as well as small and medium-sized agro-enterprises.
Related
• Strategy for Promoting Safe and Environment-Friendly Agro-Based Value Chains and Siem Reap Action Plan, 2018-2022
• Core Agriculture Support Program Phase II (2011-2015)
• Core Agriculture Support Program Phase I (2006-2010)
• Working Group on Agriculture (WGA)
Send inquiries to GMS CCESP Secretariat and GMS Secretariat.
HA NOI, VIET NAM (20 September 2017) — Ministers from the six member countries of the Greater Mekong Subregion today endorsed a five-year action plan framework that includes $64 billion in projects to help the subregion achieve inclusive growth and sustainable development.
SIEM REAP, CAMBODIA (8 September 2017) — Agriculture ministers in the Greater Mekong Subregion today endorsed a 5-year strategy and action plan to build a region-wide food safety system.
SIEM REAP, CAMBODIA (13 July 2017) — A senior level working group meeting is finalizing a 5-year strategy for promoting safe and environment-friendly agro-based value chains (2018-2022) for the Greater Mekong Subregion.
At the southernmost tip of the Mekong Delta, Vietnamese shrimp farmers are going organic and restoring mangrove forests to help protect coastal communities against sea level rise.
Monster Fish biologist spearheads a research project on how to sustainably manage one of the world’s most important ecosystems.
Safe, organic food is becoming popular across the Greater Mekong Subregion. A pilot program in Thailand is helping farmers meet the growing demand and leave chemicals behind.
BANGKOK, THAILAND (31 May 2017) — The Asian Development Bank and the Greater Mekong Subregion Working Group on Agriculture today opened a series of events on the theme "Discover GMS: Asia's Natural Hub" during the Thaifex World of Food 2017 at Bangkok's Impact Exhibition Center from 31 May to 4 June.
New laws, policies, training centers—and plenty of infrastructure upgrades like water pumps and irrigation systems—are helping Vietnamese farmers deal with the challenges of weather, geography, and climate change.
DA NANG, VIET NAM (29 July 2016) – At the 13th Annual Meeting of the Working Group on Agriculture of the Greater Mekong Subregion, agriculture officials discussed ways to improve food safety and trade, climate friendly agriculture and bioenergy and biomass management.
This is the summary of proceedings from the 13th Annual Meeting of the Greater Mekong Subregion Working Group on Agriculture held on 28-29 July 2016 in Da Nang, Viet Nam.
