Attaining food security in Central Asia - emerging issues and challenges for policy research

Developing long-term strategies for improving food security, alleviating po verty and encouraging sound use of natural resources is fundamental for sus tained economic growth in Central Asia. However, the process of policy and institutional reforms has been complex and slow. This paper, based on sever al rounds of client consultation, attempts to synthesize emerging issues an d challenges that confront food and agricultural sectors in Central Asia. I t argues that developing institutions that will foster a policy dialogue on long-term issues related to food, agriculture and the environment within a nd among the Central Asian countries is fundamental to identify development strategies for the next 10 to 15 years. This will require setting prioriti es for future food, agriculture, and natural resource policy research and a nalysis that will help in generating and sharing information on the policy challenges and solutions useful for Central Asia in its quest to reduce mal nutrition, eradicate poverty and protect the natural resource base. (C) 199 9 Elsevier Science Ltd. All rights reserved.