Panel

Agricultural transformation in south east Asia in a comparative perspective
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The panel 'agricultural transformation in south east Asia in a comparative perspective' is a cross disciplinary group that will look at the agricultural transformation process particularly in, but not limited to, Southeast Asia.
Already in the 1950's, the importance of the agricultural sector in the development process was established by Lewis, Kuznets and others. In fact, very few countries have successfully achieved modern economic growth without starting in the agricultural sector. In the aftermath of the food crisis in the early 1970s in Southeast Asia the green revolution swept across the region, resulting in great achievements in terms of food production as well as rural income. With the goal of food security achieved, policymakers interest in agriculture waned as they forgot that agriculture was about more than feeding the population. Because of this the agricultural transformation process stalled and was, in many countries, ignored despite its key role in sustainable economic growth.
In addition, although agricultural transformation is needed it is also a painful social process which may involve displacement of the redundant labour force in agriculture. The impact of these forces of change also needs to be more carefully examined
Consequently, the aim of the panel is threefold.
First, to assess the current status of the agricultural transformation process in Southeast Asia. Some countries have advanced further than others and some are, perhaps, trailing behind. In order to make this comparative analysis it is important to have many different cases from within the region but also from outside. Many countries such as Sweden and Taiwan have successfully managed to transform their agricultural sectors on their way towards modern economic growth, where agriculture no longer is of that great importance.
By adding this comparative aspect, the second aim of the panel may be possible, namely to identify patterns of agricultural transformation in the region. Many studies have been carried out in the region but this is a possibility to bring them together and make and create a more general view of the on going agricultural transformation. Important to bear in mind though, is that Asia is a very heterogenic region and there may be great differences between countries
The final aim of the panel is to discuss the similarities as well as the dissimilarities and make an attempt to find explanations in a theoretical framework. This framework will draw upon all disciplines involved in the panel.
A combination of these aims will, in the end, give us a greater understanding of a process important in all developing countries. The lessons learned from Asian can perhaps be used also in other parts of the world dominated by agriculture.

Contact persons
Tobias Axelsson : tobias.axelsson@ekh.lu.se
Pujo Semedi : widuri@indosat.net.id