Wrinkle-lipped bats hunt insects which include serious agricultural pests like plant-hoppers that can destroy up to 60% of the rice harvest. (Image source: Merlin Tuttle and Conor Wall)

The Asian wrinkle-lipped bat also known as Chaerephon plicatus resides in colonies within the caves of Phnom Sampeau and constitutes an important agricultural asset to Cambodia

The cave located close to the infamous Killing Cave, is one of three at Phnom Sampeau that house colonies of more than one million Asian wrinkle-lipped bats. Only 13 colonies of the species are known in Cambodia, with the colonies at Sampeu being among the largest in the country.

Wrinkle-lipped bats fly up to 50 km from their roosts each night to hunt insects, some of which include serious agricultural pests like plant-hoppers that can destroy up to 60% of the rice harvest. With each bat eating 50-100% of its own weight every night, the large colonies in Cambodia likely prevent the loss of over 2,000 tonnes of rice each year. This equals enough rice to feed over 21,000 Cambodians annually.

Besides being an important asset to Cambodia’s agriculture sector, large colonies of wrinkle-lipped bats are increasingly rare in Southeast Asia, which is why hunting or harming these bats is illegal under Cambodian law.  

The main reasons for the decline of this species include the destruction of their habitat through hunting and mining of the limestone hills where they live. Moreover, with Phnom Sampeau being a popular tourist spot, hundreds of tourists and locals gather at the foot of the bat caves every evening to observe the millions of these bats exiting the caves to hunt. Owing to the major ecological services that they provide, visitors are therefore advised to not make loud noises, use flash photography or throw objects at the bats.

Participants at the Asia Soy Excellence and Food Summit 2024. (Image source: USSEC)

Soy’s significance in Asia's rich cultural and culinary tapestry was emphasised at the  recent Asia Soy Excellence and Food Summit 2024 which took place from 20-22 March in Bangkok, Thailand

Organised by the US Soybean Export Council (USSEC), the summit themed ‘Eating Tomorrow – Future of Food Redefined with Soy,’ highlighted soy's role in future foods and its contribution to a circular economy. The event also acted as a meeting point for industry stakeholders, thought leaders, researchers, US soy farmers and suppliers to come together to discuss and collaborate. 

Among the wide range of topics covered during the event, the spotlight was on emerging trends such as the demand for plant-based protein alternatives and the utilisation of soy by-products like okara to combat food waste.

The pivotal role of collaboration and trust-building in the industry was also underscored during the summit, with engagement facilitated across the soy supply chain, ranging from US soy farmers to exporters and allied industry members. This ensured the provision of high-quality, sustainable US Soy to meet the region's dietary and nutritional needs.

Moreover, culinary demonstrations showcasing soy's versatility in Southeast Asian cuisine were also featured at the summit. 

JICA, DA, and concerned LGUs collaborate on "Project for Market-Driven Enhancement of Vegetable Value Chain in the Philippines (MV2C-TCP)" to develop inclusive FVC models tackling value chain issues. (Image source: JICA)

A collaboration between JICA and the Department of Agriculture (DA) aims to introduce Japanese technologies and business models in Benguet, Quezon, and Metro Manila to address challenges along the vegetable value chain 

Persistent challenges like price fluctuations, high distribution costs, postharvest losses, and high poverty rates among farmers hinder the agriculture sector, especially the vegetable industry. A modernised value chain is urgently needed to provide higher income for farmers and promote private sector participation and job creation.

The "Project for Market-Driven Enhancement of Vegetable Value Chain in the Philippines (MV2C-TCP)" seeks to develop inclusive Food Value Chain (FVC) models to tackle issues at various stages of the value chain.

One year into the MV2C-TCP implementation, the Joint Coordinating Committee (JCC) discussed the project's progress and future directions.

“JICA continues to highlight agriculture development as a backbone of Philippine economy in terms of its prospective impact to economic growth, poverty alleviation, job creation, promotion of healthy lives of Filipino people, among others. Also, in these years, JICA has been advocating and promoting the “Market-Oriented Approach” to the agriculture development even in other countries. As such, MV2C-TCP remains to be a relevant and important part of JICA’s assistance portfolio in the Philippines,” said OSHIMA Jiro, senior representative of JICA Philippines Office.

Aligned with DA secretary Tiu Laurel's three-year plan to modernise Philippine agriculture, the MV2C-TCP aims to spread benefits across the entire value chain and make farming viable for investors.

Collaborating with stakeholders from all stages of the vegetable value chain, the MV2C-TCP is implementing six pilot projects in target sites. These projects focus on production techniques enhancement, refrigeration system optimisation, plastic crate utilisation, modern distribution channel linkages, value addition through merchandising, and vegetable consumption promotion.

Stakeholder forums held in Benguet and Quezon provided a platform to share information about MV2C pilot projects and conduct business matching among stakeholders.

The project plans to expand pilot projects in additional municipalities in Benguet and Quezon this year. It aims to develop and disseminate inclusive FVC models comprising various verified technologies from pilot projects.

UK-Vietnam agri-trade report identifies growth opportunities, emphasising Vietnamese products' potential in UK markets. (Image source: Adobe Stock)

In the UK-Vietnam Agricultural Trade report titled 'Connecting the UK and Vietnam in agriculture, food and drink', the focus is on highlighting the driving forces behind the UK-Vietnam agricultural trade relationship and identifying potential growth opportunities for the two countries' agricultural sectors

According to the report, with the rapid expansion of Vietnamese restaurants in the UK, British consumers now have access to a variety of Vietnamese agricultural products being sold in supermarkets.

However, Vietnamese agricultural products still only account for a small proportion of imports from Vietnam to the UK, currently making up 4.8%. This situation represents a significant growth opportunity in the field of agricultural products and related items, which is expected to play a more significant role in shaping trade relations between the UK and Vietnam.

The UKVFTA Agreement officially took effect in May 2021 and is a catalyst for trade exchange. UKVFTA offers huge opportunities for the agriculture, food, and beverage industries. Most food and beverage product lines are currently benefiting from a gradual reduction and, eventually, complete elimination of tariffs by 2031 (subject to relevant tariff quotas).

According to the report, by 2023 Vietnam's fish and shellfish export value to the UK will reach nearly US$300mn, making seafood the fifth product group among the main export products from Vietnam. In January 2023, the People's Committee of Cao Phong district (Hoa Binh province) coordinated with the Department of Agriculture and Rural Development of Hoa Binh province to organise a ceremony to export to the UK the first shipment of seven tons of Cao Phong oranges. Next, in May 2023, a shipment of five tons of typical Vietnamese Ri6 durian was distributed to supermarkets across the UK.

The report also stated that although Vietnam's imports currently only account for 1% of the UK's total annual imports of US$700bn, high purchasing power and the growing Vietnamese community in the UK are the basis foundation for guaranteed future growth. Currently, the UK is Vietnam's third largest trading partner in Europe.

In addition, with the UK joining CPTPP, the accessibility of Vietnamese agricultural products will also improve. The report also emphasises that, in recent years, Vietnam's agricultural sector has been transforming towards reducing emissions, applying organic processes, and exploiting renewable energy sources. These environmental protection efforts will resonate with British consumers, who prioritise products with traceability, food safety, environmental friendliness, and ethical standards.

Additionally, as Vietnamese cuisine such as pho or banh mi becomes more popular with the British, the Vietnamese government and exporters could do better to promote brands that have been recognised and protected with geographical indication for Vietnamese agricultural products, similar to a number of British food brands such as Scottish whiskey, Ahmad, Twinings, Cadbury, and McVitie's that have successfully entered Vietnam.