ANH 2023 Side event: Exploring the Potential Benefits of Repurposing Subsidies and Other Forms of Public Support to Agriculture in Africa 

On the 28th of June, the Global Panel was pleased to participate in the Agriculture, Nutrition and Health Academy research conference 2023 in Malawi. We organised a side event on Exploring the Potential Benefits of Repurposing Subsidies and Other Forms of Public Support to Agriculture in Africa.

Repurposing support for agriculture and food systems offers considerable scope for obtaining improved outcomes in terms of simultaneously providing sustainable healthy diets, addressing malnutrition, and environmental degradation, and in promoting jobs and economic growth. Professor Patrick Webb of the secretariat presented recent modelling which explores the potential of repurposing subsidies in sub-Saharan Africa to reform food systems. The hybrid event was attended by an enthusiastic audience, comprised of 40 in-person attendees including that of government policymakers in low- and middle-income countries, technical experts in government, and non-government organisations, the private sectors, as well as academics.

Following the presentation, a panel comprising a representative from the Malawian Ministry of Agriculture, Mirriam Mattia, Lilongwe University, Dr. Helen Walls from the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine (LSHTM), and Felipe Dizon from the World Bank, provided their reflections. This was followed by a Q&A session with the audience.

We are grateful to our distinguished panellists and the audience whose questions ensured an insightful discussion on how repurposing subsidies and public support could help transform agricultural systems for a healthier and more sustainable future.