LOS BAÑOS, Philippines — Increasing farm output through traditional methods is not enough to strengthen agri-food systems in Asia, according to a new set of studies published in the June 2026 issue of the Asian Journal of Agriculture and Development (AJAD).
Volume 23, Number 1 of AJAD brings together research on policy analysis tools, value-chain development, digital technologies, advisory services, and risk management. The articles suggest that improvements in production, market coordination, and information access must work together to strengthen agri-food systems.
AJAD is the official international scientific journal of the Southeast Asian Regional Center for Graduate Study and Research in Agriculture or Searca. All articles in the issue are available for free download at ajad.searca.org.
Policy tool for Philippine rice market
The lead paper, “Evaluating Policies for the Philippine Rice Market,” introduces Rapid Evaluation of Market Equilibrium with Differentiated Origin Sectors (Remedios). The spreadsheet-based model was developed to assess how different rice policies affect the market under changing conditions.
Roehlano Briones, an economist at the Philippine Institute for Development Studies (PIDS), presented Remedios as a tool that can simulate scenarios such as higher domestic supply, lower global prices, tariff increases, import quotas, and floor prices. The model estimates the impacts on producers, consumers, and government revenues to help identify which policy options provide net benefits to society.
According to the paper, Remedios is designed for quick use and can be adapted to various market situations. The Excel-based tool is available for free download at http://bit.ly/3YQpL9J.
Dairy goat value chain in Malaysia
Another study examines Malaysia’s dairy goat industry. “Development of the Malaysian Dairy Goat Value Chain” by Aimi Fadzirul Kamarubahrin of Universiti Putra Malaysia (UPM) and Asmaddy Haris of Universiti Sains Islam Malaysia look at both farm-level productivity and the full “farm-to-glass” chain.
Based on a review of previous studies, the authors said that while Malaysia has potential to expand dairy goat production, the sector faces challenges including fragmented market linkages, limited processing and logistical infrastructure, and uneven productivity across farms. The paper recommends strengthening coordination from production to processing to marketing to build a more resilient industry.
Digital tools and risk management
Three additional articles focus on technology and information services in India and Malaysia.
In the paper titled “Economic Implications of Agri-met Advisory Services,” researcher Madhuri of Symbiosis International Deemed University studied farmers in Haryana, India.
The paper reports that timely weather-based advisories help farmers adjust planting, irrigation, and other management practices, which can lead to better yields, lower risks, and improved profitability.
Meanwhile, “Flying LoRaWAN IoT Gateway for Oil Palm Plantation Monitoring” by Samsuzana Abd Aziz and colleagues from UPM and Universiti Malaysia Terengganu describes a drone-mounted LoRaWAN gateway. The system is intended to improve communication with sensors placed across oil palm plantations, particularly in areas with poor network coverage.
The authors said the approach can support more efficient data collection and smarter plantation management.
“Assessing Risk of Aerial Spray Drift in Paddy Fields,” led by Azmeer Ahmad Shukri of UPM, reviews factors that affect spray drift during aerial pesticide application in rice fields. These include weather conditions, equipment settings, and operational practices.
The paper discusses methods and emerging technologies aimed at reducing drift to improve safety, efficiency, and environmental outcomes.
Nutrition and public health
The latest AFAD issue also includes a book review by Lalita Bhattacharjee, former senior nutritionist at the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) of the United Nations.
Her review of “Nutrition and Public Health in Asia: Challenges, Interventions, and Policy Responses” examines nutrition issues across the region, from undernutrition and micronutrient deficiencies to rising rates of obesity and diet-related noncommunicable diseases.
The review highlights the book’s focus on evidence-based interventions and policy options for improving food systems and public health.