Experience with COVID-19 in many countries has revealed the vulnerability of agri-food value chains to disruption arising from declines in incomes and restrictions on the movement of produce, workers or service providers intended to protect health. Careful monitoring of the impact of COVID-19 on agri-food value chains can guide government, private sector and development partners on policies and interventions to minimize potential disruption.

This virtual policy seminar will analyze the current situation, based on results of large phone surveys that have recently been fielded by three organizations with a number of agents in crop value chains (farmers, input retailers, output traders, millers, mechanization service providers). The speakers will also highlight possible actions to keep crop value chains functioning during these challenging times.