Virtual dialogue series on Agricultural Value-Chain Linkages to Improved Food Systems in Sri Lanka

Thursday, 3 December 2020 00:10 - - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

The Government of Sri Lanka together with the International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD), Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO) and United Nations World Food Programme (WFP), is convening the first of a series of virtual dialogues on ‘Agricultural Value-Chain Linkages to Improved Food Systems in Sri Lanka,’ on December 3.

The first dialogue will focus on ‘Building Resilient and Sustainable Food Systems in the Age of Pandemics’. The Institute of Policy Studies of Sri Lanka (IPS) is the implementing partner for the dialogue series, which presents a building block opportunity ahead of the 2021 Food Systems Summit scheduled for September 2021 in Rome.

Department of National Planning Director General R.H.W.A Kumarasiri; Resident Coordinator of the United Nations Hanaa Singer; IFAD Country Director (Sri Lanka and Nepal) Dr. Tarek Kotb; WFP Representative and Country Director (Sri Lanka) Brenda Barton; FAO Representative for Sri Lanka and Maldives Dr. Xuebing Sun; and senior representatives from the Government, private and public sector, civil society organisations and academia, will participate in the discussions.

The main objective is to offer a platform for collective learning, knowledge exchange, and identification of both gaps and areas for collective focus. Key stakeholders will discuss how the different value chain linkages could improve the food systems in

Sri Lanka to:

Ensure access to safe, nutritious food for all;

Shift to sustainable consumption patterns by reducing waste and creating demand for healthy diets;

Boost ‘nature-positive production,’ entailing reduced emissions and energy usage and protection of ecosystems;

Advance equitable livelihoods, including increasing incomes, enhancing gender quality, and promoting decent work; and

Build resilience to vulnerabilities and shocks.

The COVID-19 pandemic has affected inclusive and sustainable agribusiness development, which was becoming a powerful tool in creating job opportunities to increase incomes among rural communities while contributing towards national food production. The role of smallholder farmers, women and youth producers, as active participants and advocates for rural transformation, is also at risk.

The first dialogue will serve as a platform for knowledge-sharing, to discuss how inclusive models for climate and response to COVID-19 can ensure resilience to smallholders’ agribusiness, empower youth and women, and provide adequate tools for food security. It is an opportunity to discuss policy interventions to deliver inclusive and sustainable solutions for the rural poor, and contribute to rural transformation.

The event will be streamed live on IPS’ official Facebook page.