Build diverse food systems for post-COVID-19 world

ABSTRACT

The spread of COVID-19 across the globe has led to never-before-experienced lockdown situations – which in turn are having a significant impact across agricultural systems – threatening food security for increasing numbers of people around the world. [...]the stark reality is that around half a billion smallholder farmers, who help produce almost 80 per cent of the food consumed in Asia and Sub-Saharan Africa are not immune to the impacts of this crisis. Local, national and global food supply chains will falter if farmers cannot access inputs or supplies necessary for efficient production, get into their fields to sow their crops, fertilize appropriately, manage pest and weed problems, harvest perishable products such as fruits and vegetables, or participate in markets because of lockdowns.