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Blog » Agri-SME Finance and COVID-19: Issues to Consider in the Short and Longer Term

Agri-SME Finance and COVID-19: Issues to Consider in the Short and Longer Term

Created Jun 04 2020, 11:24 AM by Fotios Stravoravdis

An introductory webinar jointly organized by SAFIN and AGRIFIN

This webinar was the first of a series of virtual discussions dedicated to understanding the implications of the COVID-19 crisis on agri-SME finance and considering short and long term responses. The session started with a presentation of data and analysis conducted by FAO on the current impacts on agricultural supply chains and their possible consequences. The panelists addressed how the crisis is affecting farmers organizations, agro-dealers and other agribusinesses along the value chain, as well as African financial institutions operating in the sector, and they laid out some of the emerging responses and areas where opportunities to “build back better” can be identified. During the Q&A session, the panelists underlined the need for greater and better informed collaboration across and beyond the agricultural finance ecosystem, the importance of measures to improve women’s access to finance in agriculture, and the critical role of digitalization of market and financial transactions during the current crisis and most likely also in the recovery phase.
 
See the presentation below