Digital Agriculture in Asia and the Pacific region: A synthesis of ongoing work

While the use of information and communication technologies (ICTs) and digital tools has been increasing steadily across large swathes of rural Asia during the past two decades, the ongoing COVID-19 crisis has imparted a sense of urgency in terms of accelerating this trend. 

The initial disruptions caused by the restrictions governments in the region had to impose to slow the spread of the pandemic to Asia's food value chains created widespread alarm. The fragility of current food systems when confronted with large­ scale shocks was abruptly exposed.

Overall, governments in the region should be recognized for reacting promptly and taking measures that ultimately allowed food markets to avoid major disruptions. Food prices have remained generally stable in spite of localized failures in logistics and increases in transportation costs.