Food Security Outcomes under STI Policy Implementation: Comparative Evidence from Selected ASEAN Countries

Southeast Asia faces increasing food security challenges arising from rapid urbanization, rising food prices, and low productivity growth. While Science, Technology and Innovation (STI) policies are widely promoted as a cornerstone for transforming agrifood systems, inadequate evidence of how specific STI interventions translate into measurable food security outcomes explains uneven impacts and raises concerns about inefficient resource allocation. This paper aims to comparatively assess the achievements of food security outcomes under the agri-food STI policy implementation across the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) member states. Data were collected from international and national available sources and analyzed based on a framework of impact assessment. The findings reveal substantial heterogeneity in STI capacities and their effectiveness in improving food security. Malaysia and Vietnam emerged as the strongest performers overall, supported by relatively robust innovation systems, higher food access, and improved utilization outcomes. Vietnam, in particular, demonstrated the most effective transformation of agri-food STI inputs into outcomes, achieving the highest agricultural total factor productivity (TFP) growth and gains in food production and nutrition indicators. Indonesia showed large-scale agricultural output and innovation activity but exhibited fragmentation and underutilization of its research capacity. Thailand maintained stable production and affordability; however, the country faced persistent challenges in nutrition and food utilization. The Philippines had low growth due to limited agri-food STI investment, weaker human capital, and higher vulnerability to external shocks. Across all countries, food stability and nutrition-related outcomes remain the weakest dimensions, highlighting the limitations of production-oriented STI approaches. The results suggest that agri-food STI policies contribute most effectively to food security if they are well-coordinated, adequately funded, and aligned with inclusive objectives. Strengthening governance, enhancing human capital, and rebalancing STI strategies toward resilience and equity are critical for achieving sustainable food security in ASEAN.