Tere were also policy developments in individ-
ual countries: X
In China, the 2014 Number 1 policy docu- ment signaled a move away from the country’s traditional food self-sufficiency stance and toward increased reliance on international trade. It also highlighted reform of the land ten- ure system, the strengthening of farmer prop- erty rights, and the entrance of private capital into cropping.
X
In Indonesia, several aspects of rice policy are receiving atention. Foremost is a redesign of Raskin, a large, expensive, and mostly ineffec- tive program that physically delivers rice to the poor. Te program was implemented by the new government, led by President Joko Widodo (“Jokowi”), which is clarifying its agenda for the food and agricultural sector. Tere is also a clear need to revise the role of BULOG (the state logistics agency), not just in light of the Raskin reforms but also because the agency’s role in seting rice prices has come to the atention of Indonesia’s powerful Anti-Corruption Com- mitee. However, the dominant role of food and agriculture populist themes in the presidential campaign—and especially the repeated prom- ises to achieve self-sufficiency in rice, sugar, and corn within three years—raises serious concerns about Indonesia’s commitment to the 2015 inte- gration of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN), which requires open trade in all goods, except for a small handful of desig- nated special commodities. Te ASEAN commu- nity will be following developments in Indonesia very closely.
X
In Viet Nam, a major new policy aims to restruc- ture the agricultural sector action plan. Agricul- ture in Viet Nam faces several key challenges, including a low income level for current agri- cultural laborers, scatered land holdings suit- able only to small-scale production, a low rate of return of investment in agriculture, and environ- mental degradation. Te key aim of agricultural restructuring is to build a modern, effective, and environment-friendly agricultural sector with high added value that will generate jobs, provide
X
high income for farmers, and ensure food secu- rity in a sustainable manner.
In Tailand, which could soon resume its posi-
tion as the world’s top rice exporter,12 the new military government that came to power is push- ing through major agricultural policies related to the dissolution of the failed rice subsidy scheme.13 Under this scheme a stockpile of 18 million tons of rice had been procured by the government from farmers at inflated prices, resulting in losses totaling US$9.9 billion.14
X
Te Philippines has pushed back its rice self-suf- ficiency target to 2016 and continues to strug- gle with the damage to its food supply caused by super-typhoon Haiyan.15
X
Te opening of Myanmar and the restructuring of its agricultural sector continue to address a number of institutional, policy, and structural constraints16 that have hampered the country’s agricultural growth. However, the political situa- tion domestically remains delicate.17 Myanmar’s reliance on rice exports to China has also raised concerns. Te exports are legal from the point of view of Myanmar but have been called into ques- tion by Chinese authorities. Tis lack of clarity has likely depressed rice prices in Myanmar to a level that is forcing farmers to curtail cultivation.
2015 AND BEYOND
Te groundwork for future food policy cooperation is also being built up across a range of multilateral arenas. Tere are positive indications that policy- makers across the region are shiſting into higher gear not only to reduce hunger but to eliminate it alto- gether. A number of countries in East Asia are imple- menting the Zero Hunger Challenge at the national level, following global and regional initiatives. Te challenge was initially launched by United Nations Secretary General Ban Ki-moon. In 2014, the first in the region to launch this challenge was Timor-Leste. Myanmar, Nepal, and Viet Nam have also commit- ted to joining the challenge.18 Current achievements in reducing hunger and undernutrition in China and Viet Nam have demonstrated that it is feasible for the world to end hunger and undernutrition by 2025.19
EAST ASIA 89
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