Urbanization has been rapidly increasing in Asia and the Pacific over the last two decades. With more people now living in cities, demand for food has become greater in urban areas. Urban farming presents an increasingly viable method of not only enhancing urban food security but also reducing the pressure on traditional agricultural land thereby contributing to a reduction in carbon footprint.

To avoid the middle-income trap, countries must move from a low-cost to a high-value economy. This development, however, has the potential to create disparities including urban-rural inequality. Reducing the rural-urban divide is critical for more inclusive growth and necessary for sustainable economic growth. Discussions highlight how a rural-urban integrated development can assume a multidimensional focus that is geared towards delivering well-being to rural dwellers which is comparable to that in urban areas.

#RDFS2022

ADB and its partners are organizing the Asia Pacific Rural Development and Food Security Forum on 22-24 March 2022. #RDFS2022 aims to discuss ideas on rethinking the future of agriculture amidst complex and evolving challenges; explore new research, innovations, and technologies that can help build nature-positive food systems; and forge partnerships and collaborations which will mobilize finance for innovation, research, and business in order to promote food and nutrition security in the Asia and Pacific region.

The COVID-19 pandemic promoted a surge in digital applications to agriculture, highlighting its potential to modernize agriculture and transform food systems. The session will focus on the role of digital technologies in transforming food systems to offer increased profits for farmers along the value chain. Discussions highlight requirements to make the digitalization of agriculture happen such as policy interventions, public-private partnerships, financing, infrastructure development, and capacity development, among others.

#RDFS2022

Recognizing the vital role of public-private partnerships (PPP) for Sri Lanka in the current phase of development, ADB facilitated this knowledge event to introduce emerging highlights from ADB’s Sri Lanka PPP Monitor and initiate a discussion among stakeholders on improving the enabling environment for PPPs in the country.

This presentation gives an overview of the current status of global food security and food price trend and potential responses to build resilient food systems.