Steps Toward Green: Policy on Greening Commodity Agriculture in East and Southeast Asia

Overview

New research across six countries in East and Southeast Asia brings some clarity to the hazy agricultural and environmental policy atmosphere of the region.

Strategies for Greening Commodity Agriculture

There is growing motivation, energy and leadership in East and Southeast Asia to pursue ambitious goals to mitigate—and even reverse – the environmental risks and impacts of commodity production, while also meeting economic and social development goals.

Islands of sustainability in a sea of bad practices are unlikely to result in significant mitigation of environmental risk in agricultural commodity landscapes.

Produced by EcoAgriculture Partners, The World Bank and Clarmondial, this brief spells out strategies for East and Southeast Asian policymakers looking to “green” the production of export commodity crops.

Key policy lessons introduced and supported by research and case studies in six commodity landscapes in East and Southeast Asia

• Be proactive rather than reactive
• Align agricultural promotion and environmental protection policies
• Choose government roles strategically
• Combine value chain and spatial approaches, engaging all stakeholders
• Strengthen organizational capacity, data and knowledge systems

Reactive versus Proactive Policy Process