Platform for African – European Partnership in Agricultural Research for Development

Tuesday, August 11, 2020

WEBINAR: COVID-19’s Short-term Impacts on Economies, Food Systems and Poverty in African and Asian Countries

11 August 2020COVID-19’s Short-term Impacts on Economies, Food Systems and Poverty in African and Asian Countries: Economy wide Estimates from Economy wide Models.

Developing countries responded to COVID-19 by implementing social distancing measures and limiting non-essential business operations. Agrifood systems and food supplies—although generally exempt from restrictions—have been exposed to policy disruptions and global market instability. To measure the impacts of COVID-19 on economies and food systems, IFPRI researchers worked alongside partners in several African and Asian countries to conduct economywide multiplier analysis, tracing direct and indirect spillover effects along and across supply chains. 

Results reveal substantial but varying levels of GDP losses during lockdowns, depending on policy design and implementation and countries’ exposure to global markets. Despite policy exemptions, impacts on food systems account for about one quarter of GDP losses on average. Income losses are felt by all segments of the population. Negative impacts persist, but gradually weaken as restrictive measures are lifted.


Opening Remarks

  • Frank Place, Director, CGIAR Research Program on Policies, Institutions, and Markets (PIM)

Presenters

  • Karl Pauw, Senior Research Fellow, IFPRI
  • Kwaw Andam, Research Fellow, IFPRI, impact on Nigeria
  • Mariam Raouf, Senior Research Associate, IFPRI: impact on Sudan
  • Xinshen Diao, Deputy Division Director, Development Strategy and Governance Division, IFPRI, impact on Myanmar

Discussant

  • Paul Dorosh, Director, Development Strategy and Governance Division, IFPRI

  • Chris Hillbruner, Division Chief (Acting), Analysis and Learning Division, Office of Policy, Analysis, and Engagement; Bureau for Resilience and Food Security; United States Agency for International Development (USAID)

Closing Remarks

  • John McDermott, Director, CGIAR Research Program on Agriculture for Nutrition and Health (A4NH)

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