COVID-19 and Food Security—The Way Ahead for India-Africa Agro-Trade Partnership

Abstract

This study attempts to examine how the agricultural trade policies of India and African countries are impacted by food security issues and global protectionism trends. It is found that the regression for agricultural export from India to selected countries of Africa, intuitively corroborates with what is logically expected from the chosen macroeconomic variables. Hunger and undernourishment that are linked to reduced immunity are the most pressing concerns for both, the Indian and African economies, rather than food self-sufficiency. Policymakers need to come up with effective measures that would help build resilience in the India-Africa trade with respect to food and agricultural products. Broadly, domestic level reforms should focus on a sustainability approach towards modernization, regulation of the agri­cultural sector, markets, and supply chains; diversification and targeted transfers to counter logistics bottlenecks and food waste, as well as, effectively address the nutri­tional needs in the vulnerable segments of society. It is of immediate importance that existing policy frameworks in India and African countries are revisited and revised to implement export-friendly policies while promoting innovations and investments in the agricultural sector that is geared towards a diversified and sustainable production.