Perhaps the most unsettling lesson from the closure of the Strait of Hormuz is the gap between what we knew and how we prepared. Countries should use whatever easing of immediate pressures occurs to strengthen resilience before the next shock arrives. By Máximo Torero

Rather than designing solutions for half the farming population, agricultural researchers, policymakers, and others must consider the specific needs and preferences of women farmers in developing countries. Only then can the huge female agricultural labour force reach its potential to ensure food security and drive economic growth. By Ruth Khasaya Oniang’o and Peter Kelly

Asean should enhance efficiency of fertiliser application, increase local fertiliser production, and fortify policies on pesticides and seeds. By Paul Teng

Will scaling biofuels in Southeast Asia make the region more resilient to oil shocks, or does it introduce new vulnerabilities? Structural risks must be addressed as biofuels take a larger share of the transport fuel mix. By Dr Tharinya Supasa, Monika Merdekawati and Zahrah Zafira