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ASEAN addresses problem of post-harvest losses
PHNOM PENH/11 July 2012—While the Association of South East Asian Nations (ASEAN) is currently holding its 45th ASEAN Ministers Meetings here discussing among others the Code of Conduct on the South China Sea, the ASEAN Secretariat and the United Nations Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO) are set to organize a three-day workshop to address the region’s agricultural problem on post-harvest losses.
In a statement to media, the ASEAN Secretariat said, “The problem of post-harvest losses in agricultural commodities in ASEAN Countries has been reported to vary between 20-50%. The implications of these losses can be expressed in financial and economic terms while also have adverse social consequences on the reduction of food security. Therefore, addressing the problem of PHL is crucial to make full use of the potential of the agricultural and agro-industries in ASEAN Member States.”
The joint collaboration is set on 16 and 17 July for the workshop at the ASEAN Secretariat in Jakarta, Indonesia, and on 18 July for a visit to factory and storage facilities. The activity is designed as a support to the endeavors of the Governments of the ten ASEAN Member States in strengthening the supply capacity of the main food commodities produced and processed in the region by assessing and comparing the political, economic and technological framework governing food production and processing as well as reasons and locations of post harvest losses of main food commodities in ASEAN countries.
Said workshop will be attended by development practitioners, decision makers, private sector operating on the ground. The workshop is expected to draw commodity background and baseline information on governing political, economic, and technological framework in selected ASEAN Member States. This will further support the development of technical assistance projects in addressing the improvement of food supply chain. (FLC/TPSA)
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