Agriculture, Food and Nutrition Security Under Covid-19: Lessons from China

When Covid-19 began in China, various control measures - including road closures, restrictions of movement of people, and social distancing - were introduced. The economy as a whole and food supply chains were severely disrupted. After four months, the virus has largely been brought under control. The country is on the way to full recovery, and food markets and prices have returned to normal. This paper reviews how the pandemic affected Chinese agriculture and food supply, how the government responded and what lessons can be shared with other countries. The paper points out that timely monitoring of food prices, establishing green channels for input and output supplies and for workers, providing safety nets for vulnerable populations, and keeping trade open are critical for ensuring the smooth functioning of food supply chains and preventing potential food crises.