Agricultural sector is facing at least six great challenges. First, global climate changes due to the global warning have contributed to the decreasing of the farming system to produce enough food for the people. Lost of production due to the extreme weather and pest and disease attack have been recorded (FAO, 2017). Second, land conversion and land degradation due to the population growth and political economy. Third, the use of agrochemicals for improving farm productivity, and food processing has led to agrochemical pollutions, and issues of food safety. Fourth, loss of biodiversity due to agricultural modernisation and unproper policies and program has led to local and even regional dependency for products such as seeds and seedling. Fifth, global conflicts have triggered issues on international trade and sanctions that lead to the need to rethink the primary and secondary production system for sustainable and more resilience agriculture and community. Lastly, these five challenges and issues have led to the issue of agricultural sustainability and the ability to support human life now and in the future.
Pretty (2013) in his concept of asset-based sustainable agriculture highlighted the critical roles of five capitals (natural, human, financial, physical, and social capitals), and the roles of policies and institutions affecting the management of assets for sustainable agriculture (Pretty, 2013). The only proper and positive functions of policies and institutions that may lead to sustainable agriculture, while the negative functions would lead to unsustainable agriculture, which is against the ability to achieve development goals (UN, 2023), and the five key principles for sustainable food and agriculture – “Improving efficiency in the use of resources is crucial to sustainable agriculture; Sustainability requires direct action to conserve, protect and enhance natural resources; Agriculture that fails to protect and improve rural livelihoods, equity and social well-being is unsustainable; Enhanced resilience of people, communities and ecosystems is key to sustainable agriculture; and Sustainable food and agriculture requires responsible and effective governance mechanisms” (FAO, 2023).
Issues and challenges facing the existing agricultural sector, and the ideal roles of capital, policies and institutions showing the gaps that are needed to be addressed, and the proposed conference is expected as a valuable forum for reflection and sharing ideas, practices, and experiences to help the world addressing the concerns of the whole people on the globe. Due to the nature of those agricultural issues, the forum involving all related sectors and stakeholders to strengthen collaborative actions, from academicians, policy makers, farmers, industries, researchers, and others, which also reflect the integrated approaches in addressing issues of sustainable agriculture “sustainable agricultural development requires integration and synergies between sectors as well as a combination of social, economic and environmental issues” (FAO, 2023).
