This synthesis report is the result of close, collaborative research initiated by the Asian Development Bank in partnership with Foreign Affairs, Trade and Development Canada; the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation; and the Liu Institute for Global Issues at the University of British Columbia. Fourteen background papers were commissioned to investigate food security issues particularly pertinent for Asia and the Pacific. The report synthesizes and collates the primary findings from these papers to articulate key policy challenges and opportunities related to food security in the region.
Asia proved resilient to the effects of the 2008-2009 global financial crisis, but sustaining rapid growth became more difficult afterward. Development challenges intensified, the global development agenda became more ambitious, and new sources of development finance emerged. This volume shows how the Asian Development Bank (ADB) continued to reform in order to meet these challenges. A new long-term strategic framework, Strategy 2020, was launched in 2008, to respond to the changing needs of the region. A midterm review of Strategy 2020 was released in 2014, further refining and adjusting priorities in order for ADB to remain relevant and responsive to borrowers. Various organizational changes were introduced, internal business processes were improved, and several new instruments were adopted as part of ADB's efforts to become "stronger, better, faster." ADB's lending capacity expanded significantly, with the fifth general capital increase in 2009, followed by the unique and groundbreaking combination of the Asian Development Fund portfolio with the ordinary capital resources balance sheet approved in 2015. Lending reached record levels in 2015 and 2016, exceeding the earlier spike in 2009 when ADB had responded to the needs of countries affected by the global economic crisis. ADB also enhanced its accountability and results orientation, becoming the first multilateral development bank to adopt a corporate results framework in 2008.
This publication explains the evaluation and strategic investment priorities of the Government of the Lao People's Democratic Republic and the Asian Development Bank (ADB) in the agriculture, natural resources, and rural development sector. It highlights sector performance, priority development constraints, government plans and strategy, other development partner support, and ADB's past experience and future sector strategy. The country partnership strategy of ADB is also discussed and updated as strategic developments and program changes occur. Other background information about the sector for ADB's investment and technical assistance operations are also provided.
The Climate Change Operational Framework 2017-2030 is intended to provide broad direction and guidance for enhancing resilience and strengthening climate actions in the operations and business processes of the Asian Development Bank (ADB). It positions ADB to facilitate, collaboratively and proactively, a regional shift toward a low greenhouse gas emissions and climate-resilient development path. The operational framework provides guidance across all ADB sector and thematic groups to support climate adaptation and mitigation actions, operationalizing ADB's commitment to provide at least $6 billion per year in climate change financing from its own resources by 2020. It outlines actions and the institutional measures to be implemented to enable ADB to meet the climate needs of its developing members.
Operations Management in Agriculture bridges the knowledge gap on operations management for agricultural machinery. It complements traditional topics (cost of using and choosing machinery) with advanced engineering approaches recently applied in agricultural machinery management (area coverage planning and sequential scheduling). The book covers new technologies in bio-production systems (robotics, IoT) and environmental compliance by employing a systems engineering perspective with focuses on sub-systems, including advanced optimization, supply chain systems, sustainability, autonomous vehicles and IT-driven decision-making. It will be a valuable resource for students studying decision-making and those working to improve the efficiency, effectiveness and sustainability of production through machinery choice. Covers agricultural machinery management related courses and a number of other courses within the agricultural engineering discipline Provides core tools for machine operations management, including machinery selection and cost of usage Presents current knowledge for agricultural machinery management in a science-based format
Agribusiness offers a unique introduction to the business of agriculture: what agribusiness is, why it matters, what the role of technology is, how trade fits into the picture, what its key risks are, who is lending and investing and why, and what returns they are getting. It is both practical in orientation – focusing on the role of managers in the industry as well as that of lenders and investors – and international in scope – drawing on case studies and interviews with key figures all over the world. The text ranges across various agricultural commodities to stress that there is no ‘one size fits all’ solution and successful management, lending or investment in agribusiness requires understanding specifics. Readers are introduced to the economics of the supply and demand of food, the role of agricultural trade, agricultural marketing and farm management along with key business aspects including: Main drivers of agribusiness value; Principal risks of agribusinesses; Agribusiness as an investment class; and Agribusiness lending: why, who and how. This engaging textbook offers a complete guide to the international business of agriculture which is ideal for all students, scholars and practitioners. A selection of eResources is also available to supplement this text, and instructors will find PowerPoint slides, discussion questions, case studies and further teaching materials available to them.
"Brings the business planning process alive to help today's agriculture entrepreneurs transform farm-grown inspiration into profitable enterprises. Sample worksheets illustrate how real farm families set goals, research processing alternatives, determine potential markets, and evaluate financing options. Blank worksheets offer readers the opportunity to develop their own detailed, lender-ready business plan and map out strategies" --back cover.
This publication presents an assessment of Cambodia’s agriculture, natural resources, and rural development (ANRRD) sector and provides a strategy and road map for its future development. It identifies the strategic investment priorities of the Government of Cambodia where the Asian Development Bank (ADB) can contribute to ANRRD productivity, value addition, and resource efficiency. ADB support will focus on three key areas: (i) enhancing agricultural productivity through a whole-of-system water resources management approach, (ii) strengthening agricultural value chains, and (iii) improving natural resources management and disaster resilience.
Climate change and declining water resources threaten food production systems worldwide, increasing the need for efficient agricultural processes. The Shanxi Province of the People's Republic of China has been experiencing declining groundwater tables since 1956. This publication provides examples of how the Asian Development Bank's development support met the rising challenges in water security, food production, and climate change faced by communities in the Shanxi Province. It describes initiatives in four counties in the Shanxi Province selected as pilot areas, where traditional farmers learned modern methods of groundwater use and management. As a result, options for more sustainable use of groundwater were introduced, while farm labor was reduced, crop yields increased, and water was used more efficiently.
