CAREC Institute Webinar Explores Solutions to Food Insecurity Amid Economic Challenges

On September 13, the CAREC Institute, in collaboration with the Asian Development Bank Institute (ADBI), hosted a webinar titled “Tackling Food Insecurity During Economic Turbulence: Exploring Solutions for Financial Strain and Inflation Impacts on Vulnerable Families.” The event addressed the critical issue of food insecurity in the CAREC region, with a particular focus on how inflation and economic instability are affecting low-income households.

In his opening remarks, Mr. Kabir Jurazoda, Director of the CAREC Institute, emphasized that food security is not merely about food availability but is fundamentally linked to economic stability, social equity, and environmental sustainability. He highlighted the complexity of food security in the CAREC region, shaped by factors such as climate change, economic fluctuations, and the persistent pressures of inflation, all of which disproportionately impact vulnerable communities. Mr. Jurazoda called for collaborative, actionable solutions to these challenges.

The webinar, moderated by Dr. Kuat Akizhanov, Deputy Director Two at the CAREC Institute, featured expert discussions on key issues, including the impact of inflation on food accessibility, the role of government interventions, and the importance of sustainable agricultural practices.

Dr. Dina Azhgaliyeva, Senior Research Fellow at ADBI, presented insights from a household survey conducted in developing Asia. She explained how inflation intensifies food insecurity, particularly for low-income families, and underscored the effectiveness of targeted government assistance—such as subsidies and cash transfers—in mitigating the impacts.

Dr. Wang Xialin, Research Fellow at Yunnan University and Visiting Fellow in the CAREC Institute’s 2024 Visiting Fellowship Program, discussed her research on the groundwater-food-energy nexus in Northern China. She proposed differentiated groundwater pricing to balance food production and resource conservation, with broader implications for sustainability and energy efficiency.

Dr. Kamiljon Akramov, Senior Research Fellow at the International Food Policy Research Institute (IFPRI), shared key findings from the 2024 Global Food Policy Report, highlighting malnutrition and unhealthy diets in Central Asia. He advocated for agricultural diversification and the adoption of more robust food policies to build resilient, nutrition-sensitive food systems.

The panel discussions featured Ms. Charyyeva Suray, Researcher at the Leibniz Institute of Agricultural Development in Transition Economies (IAMO); Dr. Kayumov Abdurasul, Country Manager at Arche NoVa; and Dr. Tilekeyeve Kanat, Senior Research Fellow at the Graduate School of Development, University of Central Asia. They explored the roles of government support, agricultural innovation, and inclusive economic growth in strengthening food security.

The event underscored the urgent need to address food insecurity in the current economic landscape, drawing on diverse insights to tackle the complex challenges ahead. It concluded with a call for joint commitment to bridging the gap between research and practical solutions, a vital and commendable approach to addressing the multifaceted issues surrounding food security.