[Session Summary] [Closing Video] Woochong Um, Director General for Sustainable Development and Climate Change Department, ADB, stressed the importance of focusing on smallholders, investing in infrastructure, and working with governments to create an enabling environment for rural development and food security.

Some countries in the region have adopted creative and out-of-the-box initiatives on public policy for both public and private investments. Discussions focus on what has been done so far, how these can be used by the governments, and further identify ways to promote policy dialogue and reforms, and public-private partnerships.

The session showcases some of ADB’s innovative projects and highlights the lessons learned so that other countries may consider adopting similar approaches and designs for their projects. A list of relevant resources is provided to expand the discussion beyond the presentation materials from the speakers.

The session highlights the imbalance in rural-urban development and its significant negative impacts on national economic growth; rural employment; country’s food security and nutrition; and urbanization. Specific recommendations are discussed and finalized for governments to consider for focused rural development. A list of relevant resources is provided to expand the discussion beyond the presentation materials from the speakers.

The session discusses the impacts of dysfunctional agricultural markets on profits, farm productivity, food quality, high prices for consumers, and malnutrition. A list of relevant resources is provided to expand the discussion beyond the presentation materials from the speakers.

Woochong Um, Director General of ADB's Sustainable Development and Climate Change Department, delivered a keynote speech during the publications launched held during the Rural Development and Food Security Forum.

The large demographics facts – 3.4 billion today in rural population – will still be over 3 billion in 2050. People will still live in rural areas in 2050. The possibility of absorption of more rural migrants into urban areas faces severe constraints, and there is both urban crisis and rural crisis in such circumstances.

Malnutrition is multifaceted problem and solution requires several dimensions. Learn how atmospheric carbon dioxide affects the food we eat. Dr. Irakli Loladze, mathematical biologist from the Bryan College of Health Sciences delivers the Keynote Address at one of the sessions of the Rural Development and Food Security (RDFS) Forum 2019, which discusses the impacts of dysfunctional agricultural markets on profits, farm productivity, food quality, high prices for consumers, and malnutrition.

Dr. Mekhala Krishnamurthy, Associate Professor of Sociology & Social Anthropology from Ashoka University, India delivers the Keynote Address at one of the sessions of the Rural Development and Food Security (RDFS) Forum 2019. Dr. Krishnamurthy shares her insights on current challenges of farming and proposed transformative changes in policies and approaches to make farming profitable, highly productive, and attractive to youth in the region.

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