Food Security Challenges in Asia

Abstract

This paper builds upon the assessment of the Asian Development Bank’s (ADB) agriculture sector performance in the 2012 Annual Evaluation Review. First, it reviews the recent developments in world food markets, and the responses of Asian governments and the international community to high food prices, and analyzes the impacts and prognosis for the region. It then examines the big challenges for Asia in ensuring sustainable food security and inclusive rural growth. Finally, it considers how ADB can most effectively respond to the challenges based on the region’s needs and the evaluation track record of ADB operations in agriculture, food security, and rural development. 6. This report is based on a desk review of existing resources. Where possible the paper draws on evaluative evidence from the Independent Evaluation Department’s (IED) own work and from the evaluation departments of other institutions such as the World Bank. As the number of relevant evaluations is limited, the paper includes a substantial literature review to supplement the evaluative evidence and substantiate the paper’s findings.