14 July 2021:   2:00 – 4:30 PM INDIA, 2:15 – 4:45 PM NEPAL, 2:30 – 5:00 PM BANGLADESH via Zoom and Facebook Live. Register via: https://tinyurl.com/UNFSSSouthAsia 

The success of efforts to develop rural economies, ensure food and nutrition security, and eradicate rural poverty depend on building climate change resilient agricultural systems managed by smallholders and the widespread adoption of innovations at the technical, institutional, social and policy levels. However, although there are “islands” of climate-resilient agriculture practiced in the Global South, what has been lacking to date has been change at scale.

The COVID-19 pandemic may present an opportunity to build back better if public and private investment is directed towards reinvigorating rural communities by developing an inclusive, climate-resilient smallholder agriculture sector that meets the needs of people and the planet.

This Independent Food Systems Dialogue aims to bring together a range of stakeholders across the food system — from producers to value chain actors, consumers and policymakers — to respond to the challenge of nourishing South Asia in a post-COVID 19 context. Specifically, the dialogue will address these following questions:

1. What are the main barriers to agricultural innovation for climate resilience in South Asia? Who else should be involved in research for development, investment, and deployment decisions for building climate resilience at scale?
2. How do we ensure that food value chains in South Asia are inclusive?
3. What kind of investments in food system transformation in South Asia can help reinvigorate rural communities?  For example, investments in cold chains, custom hiring centres and mechanization?
4. How should digitalisation of the food value chain be implemented in South Asia in a way which benefits smallholder farmers?  Will this help to build back better after COVID-19?

The dialogue consists of two parts: a) a series of in-country focus group discussions with farmers, value chain actors, and policy makers addressing these questions, and b) an online public forum with stakeholders and experts at the regional level.