Syngenta, the global agribusiness company, has launched the Rice Bowl Index, a diagnostic tool that provides insight and information on the robustness of the food security system across Asia-Pacific.
The Rice Bowl Index was designed to facilitate productive dialogue, collaboration and action between governments, non-government organisations and the private sector, moving from simply identifying problems to finding solutions.
“Truly understanding the robustness of a food security system can be transformational to economic and social development,” said Syngenta’s Global head of business development Dr Robert Berendes at the index launch on Wednesday.
Syngenta, with more than 26,000 employees in over 90 countries, focused on increasing crop productivity, protecting the environment and improving health and quality of life.
It was clear from this analysis that collaboration and a system-wide integrated approach were vital in order to effect change that was sustainable in the long-term, said Dr Berendes, who is also the Co-Chairman of the World Economic Forum’s New Vision for Agriculture.
The NVA would convene as part of the two-day World Economic Forum on East Asia here beginning yesterday.
Consistent with the principles that underpin the Rice Bowl Index, the NVA a shared agenda for action and multi-stakeholder collaboration to achieve sustainable agricultural growth through market-based solutions.
NVA had implemented innovative public-private collaborations in Tanzania, Vietnam, Indonesia and Mexico and was working through several global forums to build momentum.
A White Paper authored by Professor Paul Teng, one of Asia’s leading food security experts, supported the Rice Bowl Index, the methodology of which was developed by Frontier Strategy Group.
“It is easy to fall into the trap of inaction due to the complexities in dealing with food security.
What is most challenging is how to translate the complexity of food security into an opportunity for action.
“The Rice Bowl Index is one platform which supports an effort and commitment to doing so,” said Professor Teng.
Richard Leggett, Frontier Strategy Group chief executive officer hoped the index would make an important contribution to the food security debate.
Dr Berendes said the Rice Bowl Index could also be applied in other regions apart from the Asia Pacific.
