Across Southeast Asia, food systems are under increasing pressure—from climate change and supply chain disruptions to the need for safer, more nutritious food for growing populations. These shared challenges framed the discussions at the US-ASEAN Business Council (USABC) Multi-Stakeholder Forum – Farm to Table Initiative, held on February 3–4, 2026 in Jakarta, Indonesia, which convened government leaders, private sector representatives, scientists, and development partners from across the region.
Designed as a platform for collaboration and knowledge exchange, the forum aimed to generate practical insights and recommendations to help ASEAN build more sustainable and resilient food and agriculture systems—connecting what happens on farms to what eventually reaches people’s tables.
Among those who took part in the discussions was OIC Regional Director Engr. Ruel Vincent C. Banal of DOST Northern Mindanao, who participated in the forum as part of the ASEAN Committee on Science, Technology, and Innovation, contributing Philippine and DOST perspectives to regional conversations on sustainable and resilient food systems.
Three Sessions, One Integrated Food System
Discussions at the forum were organized into three interconnected thematic sessions—At the Farm, Supply Chain, and At the Table—highlighting the importance of an integrated, end-to-end approach to food systems development. Together, the sessions reflected a shared understanding that challenges in agriculture, logistics, and nutrition cannot be solved in isolation.
Across these sessions, participants examined key issues such as climate-smart agriculture, technology and innovation, digital transformation, resilient supply chains, and sustainable food and nutrition, underscoring the need for science-based and collaborative solutions across the value chain.
Reflecting on the breadth and relevance of the discussions, Engr. Banal shared that “from the farm to the table, the discussions on climate-smart agriculture, innovation, digital transformation, resilient supply chains, and sustainable food and nutrition across ASEAN were both timely and inspiring.”
Engaging in the Supply Chain Conversation
Engr. Banal actively engaged in the forum’s Supply Chain session, where conversations focused on how technology, data, and innovation can enhance traceability, strengthen logistics, and improve food safety across agricultural value chains. Participants discussed shared regional challenges, including fragmented data systems, limited access to financing for agri-tech pilots, high compliance costs for standards, and gaps in postharvest and distribution infrastructure.
Within these exchanges, the Philippine perspective emphasized the importance of inclusive and practical innovation—solutions that work not only on paper, but on the ground. These issues influence everyday realities—from how fresh food reaches markets to how confidently consumers can trust its safety.
Philippine Innovations in a Regional Context
While no formal country presentations were made, Philippine initiatives such as Project SARAI (Smarter Approaches to Reinvigorate Agriculture as an Industry in the Philippines) reflect the type of science-based, technology-driven solutions aligned with the forum’s themes. Established in 2013, Project SARAI is a DOST-funded, with DOST PCAARRD as the monitoring agency and University of the Philippines Los Baños (UPLB)-led program that leverages satellite imagery, sensor data, climate information, and machine learning applications to provide site-specific crop advisories for nine priority crops, including rice, corn, and high-value fruits.
Approaches like SARAI reflect broader regional efforts to use technology in helping farmers make better, more timely decisions amid changing conditions—demonstrating how innovation can support productivity, climate resilience, and informed planning across agricultural systems.
Learning Through Exchange and Collaboration
Beyond sharing perspectives, the forum provided valuable opportunities to engage with international leaders and stakeholders on successful practices in digital traceability, standards harmonization, biotechnology, and supply chain infrastructure. These exchanges reinforced the value of collaboration in turning ideas, research, and policies into solutions that communities can actually use.
For DOST and the Philippines, insights gained from Jakarta complement ongoing efforts to strengthen agri-innovation ecosystems, improve supply chain resilience, and ensure that science and technology investments translate into tangible benefits for farmers and consumers.
Local Action, Regional Relevance
Participation in the USABC Farm to Table Initiative highlighted how local experiences—such as those from Northern Mindanao—can meaningfully inform regional food systems conversations. By contributing grounded perspectives and engaging in knowledge exchange, DOST continues to support ASEAN’s efforts to build inclusive, resilient, and sustainable food systems.
As ASEAN advances its farm-to-table agenda, the discussions in Jakarta reaffirmed a clear message: global solutions are strongest when they are rooted in local realities, guided by science, and strengthened through collaboration—especially for the farmers, workers, and consumers at the heart of the food system. (Ada Bahian/DOST Northern Mindanao)
