Agriculture Secretary Francisco Tiu Laurel Jr. is calling for stronger ASEAN-India cooperation as geopolitical tensions, climate shocks, and volatile energy and farm input costs threaten to disrupt food supplies across the region.

Tiu Laurel made the call on Sept. 9 at the Ninth ASEAN-India Ministerial Meeting on Agriculture and Forestry in this Indian capital, where ministers and senior officials discussed ways to make agriculture and food systems more resilient to global disruptions.

The meeting focused on cooperation in areas including food security, climate resilience, agricultural innovation, and resilient value chains.

Speaking for the Philippines as ASEAN chair for 2026, Tiu Laurel said the region can no longer treat food security as a purely domestic concern as shocks to trade, transport, energy, and agricultural inputs increasingly cross borders.

“Geopolitical and economic uncertainties, climate-related tragedies, and volatility in energy, transport, food and agricultural input markets continue to test the resilience of our food systems and supply chains,” Tiu Laurel said.

“These challenges reinforce the very importance of practical regional cooperation, open communication and sustained partnerships,” he added.

He said safeguarding food security and agricultural supply chains remains a central ASEAN priority, particularly as disruptions in global trade and logistics can quickly affect farmers, consumers, and food prices.

Tiu Laurel cited discussions during the 47th ASEAN Ministers on Agriculture and Forestry meeting last year and the special AMAF meeting in April 2026 on the Middle East situation, where members emphasized preparedness, market transparency, sustainable production, and stronger supply-chain resilience.

India, he said, is an important partner because of its experience in agriculture, food systems, research, technology, and capacity development.

The meeting also reviewed the ASEAN-India Medium-Term Plan of Action for Cooperation in Agriculture and Forestry for 2021-2025 and the next five-year plan covering 2026-2030.

Tiu Laurel said the new plan should prioritize practical programs that address emerging risks while expanding innovation and knowledge sharing.

“As we move into the next phase of ASEAN-India cooperation, we look forward to practical, results-oriented activities that contribute to food security, sustainability, resilience, innovation, knowledge exchange and the well-being of our agricultural communities,” he said.

For the Philippines, the discussions come as extreme weather, geopolitical disruptions, and swings in the cost and availability of fuel, fertilizer, feed, and other farm inputs continue to threaten agricultural stability.

Tiu Laurel said stronger regional coordination can help ASEAN and its partners prepare for disruptions before they become full-blown supply crises.

“I am confident that today’s discussions will further strengthen the ASEAN-India partnership and translate our shared priorities into concrete and mutually beneficial cooperation,” he said.

ASEAN has identified food security, climate resilience, sustainable agriculture, market connectivity, and digital innovation as key pillars of its longer-term food, agriculture, and forestry cooperation. Dept. of Agriculture