COVID-19 has quickly morphed from an unprecedented health crisis to a massive economic shock. Initial expectations were that its impacts on agri-food supply chains would predominantly be felt in post-farm downstream segments, mostly in urban settings. But these expectations have given way to the realisation that the rural sector will not be spared the effects of the pandemic.

Rural economies and households, in fact, are being hit hard by the disease and the containment measures adopted to prevent its spread. This can affect the wellbeing and food security of both rural and urban populations drastically. To better understand the magnitude of these impacts and help devise policies to mitigate them and support the recovery process, FAO and WFP have commissioned a set of simulations of the effects of the pandemic on rural economies, most in sub-Saharan Africa.

The findings will not only provide an evidence base to inform the design of policies aimed at putting rural economies back on their feet and building back better, but also provide the backdrop for a discussion on how countries are responding by stepping up social protection and other measures to stem the negative impacts of the present crisis.

Moderator:

• Alejandro Grinspun, FAO

Speakers:

• J. Edward Taylor, University of California
• Maximo Torero, FAO
• Aminata Sow, Délégué Général à la protection sociale et à la solidarité nationale
• Carolina Trevelli, IEP
• Susanna Sandström, WFP