Constructing a Database for Food Security Assessments in Southeast Asia

In many Southeast Asian countries, food insecurity remains an important problem. However, the assessment of food security is often difficult due to the lack of adequate data. Studies undertaken by international organizations are mostly rapid appraisal type of analyses lacking scientific rigor and depth. Against this background there is a need to establish sound databases, which allow for more in-depth analyses. Although the collection of data in remote rural areas of poor countries is challenging, data quality is crucial in order to advance research on the economics of food security. Own case studies from Southeast Asia highlight the need to account for multidimensional facets of food security in data collection. They highlight the need to differentiate between monetary and nonmonetary poverty aspects and to look into diverse livelihood activities. They also stress the importance of the time dimension due to price increases or many other shocks and coping strategies. We suggest incorporating food security research into long-term panel data projects such as the long-term panel data project for Thailand and Vietnam, which we believe is unique and valuable also for food security assessments.