September 2020, Myanmar
FAO advice on agriculture & food security during COVID-19 for Myanmar
Upendranadh Choragudi

The recently concluded 35th Asia Pacific Regional Conference of Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO) hosted by Bhutan, the first being held in virtual form, expressed concern that the COVID-19 induced economic downturn and subsequent measures taken by countries combine to push hundreds of millions of people into hunger, poverty and acute food insecurity and malnutrition, reversing a decade or more of developmental progress.

According to a press release from the FAO Myanmar, the Director General of Planning Department of Ministry of Agriculture, Livestock, Fisheries and Irrigation of Government of Myanmar emphasized that “We are actively engaged with partners in Myanmar as well as with stakeholders to find solutions to mitigate the economic and social impacts of COVID-19” and “the priorities of the Ministry reflect our commitment to support, stabilize and strengthen development to support a good quality of life for the people of Myanmar.”

The FAO Asia Pacific Regional Conference, held September 1-4 and attended by over 400 representatives from 46 member countries, acknowledged that most countries of the region acted promptly and responsibly to cushion the impact on vulnerable populations, by rolling out social protection measures and safety net schemes to shore up food security, counteract the impacts of joblessness, and provide financial support to small businesses. These have given immediate relief to some extent, however long term recovery needs systemic interventions in the agriculture and food sectors.