Report on the Development of Food Marketing Systems for Large Urban Areas in Asia

Abstract From 24 March to 2 April 1975 EAO conducted an "Expert Consultation on the Development of Food Marketing Systems for Large Urban Areas in Asia and the Far East" in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. This conference was held in view of the increasing food supply problems of the rapidly growing cities in numerous Asian countries. The participants were delegates from 12 Asian countries, staff members and consultants of FAO as well as observers of various organizations interested in marketing problems. The objective of the meeting was to analyse the changes needed to adjust the food marketing systems to present and future requirements and to formulate strategies for developing efficient food marketing systems paying particular attention to the food marketing aspects for low income consumers. In 1973 a similar conference for Latin America was held in Buenos Aires. Further conferences are planned for Africa and the Near East. This series of conferences indicate a shifting of emphasis from a producer-oriented policy to a more consumer-oriented policy of FAO.