Says IFPRI

Staff Correspondent

The pandemic has highlighted the importance of making South Asia’s food systems more inclusive, sustainable, and resilient, the International Food Policy Research Institute said yesterday.

Disruptions in supply chains and overwhelmed social protections have led to increased food and nutrition insecurity in the region, said a statement.

The need to work towards inclusive food systems have amplified in all countries in the region, it added.

“Food systems provide opportunities to improve food and nutrition security, generate income, and drive inclusive economic growth, but even in prosperous times, too many people are excluded from fully participating in them and securing these benefits,” said Johan Swinnen, director general of International Food Policy Research Institute (IFPRI).

“In times of crisis like today, inclusion is an even greater imperative for protecting the most vulnerable.”

IFPRI South Asia headquartered in New Delhi, Indian Council of Agricultural Research, and New Delhi-based Trust for Advancement of Agricultural Sciences organised a virtual conference yesterday.