The objective of this note is to highlight relevant good practices and policy measures that can be initiated in low- and lower-middle income developing countries to mitigate the impact of future shocks on their food supply chains, learning from the experience of the Covid-19 pandemic. The note explores measures both for recovering from a crisis, as well as possible actions for ensuring more resilient agricultural supply chains.
The significant disruptions to global food trade brought about by the Covid-19 pandemic have raised concerns about the heightened possibility of the most vulnerable communities being severely affected by future shocks, particularly in developing and Least Developed Countries (LDCs) which are mainly net food importers. In the first quarter of 2022, the FAO’s Food Price Index reached its highest-ever level, and food import bills are increasing substantially.
In a post Covid-19 world, achieving the Zero Hunger target by 2030 will require profound changes in domestic and global agriculture policies and systems, to secure enough food in low- and lower-middle income developing countries. With their subsistence farmers (often women) being climate-reliant for their food, and mostly ill-equipped to tap into markets, rebuilding the food sector and making it more resilient for future shocks is a must.
Governments must start taking a forward-looking approach to policy making and trade rules, keeping firmly in their sights the question of how their trade policy can help respond to and anticipate food system shocks.
In this context, this note examines relevant good practices and policy measures that can be initiated in small developing countries to mitigate the impact of future shocks on their food supply chains, learning from the experience of the Covid-19 pandemic. It explores measures both for recovering from a crisis as well as possible actions for ensuring more resilient agricultural supply chains.