A research report that situates the importance of the agri-food sector with respect to key contextual crosscutting and strategic issues, by providing findings from three APEC economies (Vietnam, the Philippines, and Peru), and concludes by pointing to practical recommendations and other suggestions for policy and program design.
Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) economies are transforming rapidly due to economic, demographic, and technological change. Micro, small, and medium-sized enterprises (MSMEs) in the agri-food sector are important for addressing food security, meeting growing consumer demand, and reducing poverty through inclusive and sustainable development.
This paper focuses on agri-food MSMEs in three APEC economies – namely, the Philippines, Vietnam, and Peru. In all three countries, MSMEs in the agri-food sector constitute a significant part of the economy. Furthermore, agri-food MSMEs have a critical role to play in addressing a number of the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals adopted in 2015, particularly those related to hunger and poverty reduction.
Conducted by Dr. Gisèle Yasmeen, Linh Han, Thang Tran, and Dr. Roslyn Kunin, this research report is one of three published for the APEC-Canada Growing Business Partnership around the theme of technology and innovation, with a focus on Vietnam and other APEC economies.
“An agribusiness sector that links farmers and consumers plays an increasingly pivotal role in food security as economies develop and food is provided through longer value chains.”