Japan-ASEAN Integration Fund Capacity Development Program for ASEAN RiceNet

Rice production in ASEAN faces challenges due to the adverse impacts of climate change, land degradation, population increases and urbanisation. For every one degree Celsius increase in temperature is projected to reduce rice yields by 10% (Peng et al., 2004) and economic growth by 1.3% (Dell, Jones, and Olken,2012). Global Climate Risk Index 2020 shows four AMS (Myanmar, the Philippines, Viet Nam and Thailand) are among the ten countries most affected by climate change with heavy rainfall, floods and droughts causing production losses. In addition, yield loss of up to 23% is expected in some areas of Viet Nam, one of the biggest exporters of rice (Teng et. al., 2016). Particularly for Among Cambodia, Lao PDR, Myanmar and Viet Nam (CLMV), malnutrition under age five expressed as stunting are 32.4%, 44.2%, 24.6% and 29.4% respectively (Global Nutrition Report 2020).

Recognising the challenges, ASEAN Member States (AMS) endorsed a new regional network called ASEAN RiceNet at the 41st ASEAN Ministerial Meeting on Agriculture and Forestry (AMAF) in 2019. The network aims to share and evaluate advanced rice breeding lines to support all AMS to release farmer-required, climate-resilient, and high-performing conventional rice varieties.