Strengthening Local Agricultural Supply Chains - Response to Coronavirus (COVID-19)

This project aims to protect the food security and livelihoods of the most vulnerable populations impacted by COVID-19 in nine countries. The project works with local governments and civil society groups to ensure communities most impacted by COVID-19 have sustained access to nutritious food and sources of income. It also addresses trade barriers in the food and agricultural sector and improves food safety standards during COVID-19 and beyond and strengthens local capacity for data collection and analysis in order to make informed policy decisions that improve local food systems. Key activities include: 1) Rapid assessment of community and household-level needs as well as local market capacities and gaps related to COVID-19. 2) Supporting farmers with facilitated access to seeds and other farm inputs markets training in climate-smart agricultural practices and income diversification activities. 3) Capacity building training for rural and agricultural community based organizations in coordination with local government services and departments with a focus on addressing barriers related to COVID-19. 4) Support for public social protection programs in reaching rural and marginalized communities.

The expected outcomes of this project include: (1) reduced COVID-19 related impacts on women men and rural communities in food-crisis contexts; (2) strengthened economic recovery improved community resilience and decreased risk along the agricultural supply chain by promoting sustainable agricultural practices and equal participation of women men and youth; (3) improved policies and procedures that include the specific needs and priorities of women youth and indigenous people in recovering from the COVID-19 pandemic and build resilience to future crises adopted by relevant institutions; and (4) improved knowledge gained by food chain actors on the reduction of transmission risk of COVID-19 including through training demonstrations social messaging campaigns disinfecting markets and similar activities.