COVID-19 and food security: What are we learning from China?

28 July 2020. Virtual Event - Evolving effects of COVID-19 on poverty and food security: What are we learning from China?

After the COVID-19 outbreak began in December in Hubei Province, China locked down many areas to control the spread of the disease, and the economy ground to halt. Since the easing of restrictions in April, life has largely returned to normal and many economic activities have resumed. However, the lockdowns have had significant—and still not well-understood—impacts on livelihoods and food security.

The presenters explored short-term and mid-term impacts on Chinese SMEs, villages and rural households, vulnerable groups, and food value chains.

• Opening Remarks - Johan Swinnen, Director General, IFPRI
• Kevin Chen, Senior Research Fellow, IFPRI (Presentation)
• Xinshen Diao, Deputy Division Director, Development Strategy and Governance Division, IFPRI (Presentation)
• Scott Rozelle, Helen F. Farnsworth Senior Fellow and the co-director of the Rural Education Action Program in the Freeman Spogli Institute for International Studies, Stanford University (Presentation)
• Xiaobo Zhang, Senior Research Fellow, IFPRI (Presentation)
• Concluding Perspective - Shenggen Fan, Senior Chair Professor, China Agricultural University (CAU)
• Moderator - Katarlah Taylor, Events Manager, IFPRI