Agroecology Promotion Programme at TARASA25: Strengthening Partnerships, Policy Dialogue and Regional Knowledge Exchange
IFOAM – Organics International, represented by Project Coordinator Sahar Brahim, participated in the international workshop “Transitioning Towards Agroecology and Regenerative Agriculture: A Contribution to Food Systems Transformation” (TARASA25). Held from 24–27 November 2025, the event convened over 230 stakeholders from 20 countries across the Asia-Pacific region.
The participation of Agroecology Promotion Programme (APP) was driven by three core objectives: to align global advocacy with the newly endorsed ASEAN Policy Guidelines, to present field-based evidence linking agroecology to improved nutrition, and to formalise strategic partnerships for future regional "Policy Labs" and leadership courses.
TARASA25 built on the momentum of the 2023 workshop in Cambodia (TARASA23), which was instrumental in shaping the ASEAN Policy Guidelines for Agroecology Transitions (AET). While the previous iteration focused on drafting, the 2025 workshop centred on identifying concrete steps for national-level implementation and multi-stakeholder collaboration.
Endorsed at the 46th ASEAN Ministers on Agriculture and Forestry (AMAF) Meeting in October 2024, the AET Guidelines represent the first regionally recognized policy framework dedicated to agroecology. Developed via the LICA initiative, the framework outlines seven key leverage points: planning and governance, farmer engagement, value chain transformation, capacity building, knowledge systems, multi-stakeholder collaboration, and financing mechanisms.
Within this strategic context, TARASA25 served as a platform to:
- Share experiences from global, regional, and local agroecology initiatives.
- Identify gaps in knowledge and implementation regarding the ASEAN guidelines.
- Explore Public-Private Partnerships (PPP) to facilitate the agroecological transition.
- Strengthen regional collaboration to accelerate food systems transformation in Asia and the Pacific.
Enabling Nutrition-sensitive Policies
On 27 November, Sahar Brahim contributed to a high-level roundtable focused on public policy. The session was divided into two distinct themes: "Enabling Environments for Farmers and Local Food Systems" and "Policy Alignment for Climate, Biodiversity, Nutrition, and Food Systems Transformation."
Brahim’s intervention focused on integrating nutrition into agroecology policies. She framed agroecology as a holistic solution to interconnected challenges, such as climate resilience and persistent nutritional deficiencies like anaemia. Drawing on data from the Nutrition in Mountain Agro-Ecosystems (NMA) project, she demonstrated how diversified farming systems simultaneously improve diet quality and rural livelihoods.
The presentation also showcased IFOAM – Organics International’s innovative tools designed to turn evidence into action, including:
- The “Push–Pull–Enable” policy framework.
- Territorial approaches to food systems transformation.
- The integration of nutrition-sensitive indicators into agricultural programme design.
By bridging science, practice, and policy, the intervention illustrated how agroecology serves as a pillar for climate adaptation and inclusive rural development within emerging regional frameworks.
Strengthening Partnerships and Regional Knowledge Exchange
TARASA25 provided a vital opportunity to deepen engagement with regional partners involved in the APP. Through bilateral meetings, IFOAM engaged with organisations such as the Agroecology Learning Alliance in Southeast Asia (ALiSEA), the Agroecology Coalition, and CIRAD.
These discussions focused on two major future initiatives:
- Expanding Agroecology and Organic Agriculture Leadership Courses (AOLCs) across Southeast Asia.
- Developing a Policy Lab specifically focused on the agroecology–nutrition nexus in countries like Vietnam and Cambodia.
A highlight of the final day was the launch of the ALiSEA Knowledge Hub. This online platform is designed to scale agroecological practices by providing farmers, researchers, and policymakers with access to case studies, field innovations, and evidence-based research.
Looking Ahead
TARASA25 underscored the growing momentum for agroecology and sustainable agriculture in Southeast Asia and across the Asia-Pacific. By focusing on the practical implementation of ASEAN guidelines, the workshop solidified a roadmap for more resilient food systems. The partnerships forged here are expected to anchor future initiatives, including the potential continuation of the TARASA process in 2027, ensuring that agroecology remains at the forefront of the regional policy agenda.
