2021 Global Food Policy Report: COVID-19’s impact on agriculture and food systems in South Asia

BY ANISHA MOHAN

The severe health and economic impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic have disrupted food systems and upended livelihoods across the globe. South Asia, with its population of almost 2 billion people, accounted for nearly half of all new, known infections worldwide as the second wave battered the region in 2021. While many early expert predictions about dire impacts on economy and poverty did not materialize, and food and agriculture remained resilient, pre-pandemic challenges have remained and new chinks in the armor have surfaced.

Photo credit: IFPRI