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CONTEXT AND RATIONALE

The current COVID-19 crisis is bringing into sharp relief the vulnerability of agri-food systems and creating new challenges whose repercussions may be felt in the sector for a long time. Among other things, it is showing the limits of our capacity to anticipate shocks and is testing the risk management capacity of all actors active in supply chains, as well as in government, finance, and other sectors. In this context, many agri-SMEs are already suffering significantly from disruptions in supply chains and markets, causing cash flow problems. Many also lack the capital and capacity to undertake the investments that would be required to strengthen their resilience to the enduring crisis and prepare for its likely after-effects.

This is, therefore, an opportune time to take a closer look at the range of tools available in the area of agricultural risk management, and identify those that can be deployed both to address the current crisis, particularly from the agri-SME standpoint, as well as to prepare for its long term repercussions. Such an assessment will also serve to highlight the main gaps or areas where innovative products, delivery mechanisms, or complementary measures are needed. The convergence of interests and experiences of ILO, PARM and SAFIN around these issues provides an opportunity to address them with reference to practical experiences and examples.

OBJECTIVE

Overall, the aim of the Live Talk Series will be to assess the general offering and limitations of the agricultural risk management “toolbox” in light of the ongoing experience with COVID-19, from the perspectives of agri-SMEs and agri-lenders. Furthermore, the series will present practical learnings related to the use of specific tools and the impact achieved by both sets of actors (SMEs and lenders) through a review of case studies.

LIVE TALK 01

This first session will take place on 24 September 2020 provide an introduction into the key areas of focus for the Live Talk series. Starting with an overview of the tools available for agricultural risk management, the session will then turn to a panel of experts for a deeper discussion on the new risks that have been introduced by the crisis, the new challenges they present in relation to the existing “toolbox”, and the response that has been observed thus far from agri-SMEs and other actors in the field.

AGENDA

2:30 pm – Welcome Remarks and Introduction to the Live Talk series
2:40 pm – Introduction to the risk management “toolbox” for Agri SMEs
2:50 pm – Expert Panel: Agricultural risk management – Challenges and innovations in the era of COVID-19
3:10 pm – Q&A
3:20 pm – Conclusions and Closing remarks

THE SPEAKERS

Arindom Datta – Executive Director and Head of Rural & Development Banking/Advisory, Rabo India Securities Pvt. Ltd
Claude Torre – Responsable d’Equipe Projet, Agence française de développement (AFD)
Emily Coleman – Agricultural insurance technical lead, INSURED/PARM, IFAD
Katell Segalen – Social Responsibility Project Manager, FEDECOCAGUA
Massimo Giovanola – Lead Technical Specialist, Platform for Agricultural Risk Management (PARM)
Michael von During – Technical Specialist, Smallholder and Agri-SME Finance and Investment Network (SAFIN)
Pranav Prashad – Senior Technical Officer, ILO’s Impact Insurance Facility

Explore the other sessions of the series:

• Live Talk 02
• Live Talk 03

COVER IMAGE CREDIT:
©Thought Leader Global Media / Natalie and Mikkel Becker-Aakervik