Food supply may not be serious in the short term. So far, food supply has been sufficient and the market has been fundamentally stable. However, the poultry industry has been adversely affected and the situation may well deteriorate if no further action is taken. If food processing enterprises cannot resume production as soon as possible, the operation of the supply chain in the agricultural food system will be considerably affected. The ongoing epidemic will exert a debilitating impact on such crops such as grain, cotton, oil, and sugar. If the epidemic disrupts domestic and international trade, it may well trigger panic in the food market. Here are some of my suggestions:
· Continue to monitor food prices in a close and timely manner and strengthen market supervision, especially in Hubei Province and its neighboring provinces.
· Ensure the smooth operation of regional agricultural production and logistics in the food supply chain.
· Formulate agricultural support policies and enhance support for production entities.
· Ensure the smooth flow of trade channels and make full use of the international market to stabilize food supply and demand.
· Protect vulnerable groups and provide employment services for migrant workers.
· Regulate the wild food market and cut off the source of zoonotic diseases.
Prof. CHEN Zhigang, Director of the China Academy of Rural Development
