In Sri Lanka as in the rest of South Asia, improving agricultural production has long been a priority to achieve food security.
However, despite much progress, chronic malnutrition remains prevalent across the region as many poor South Asians cannot afford nutritious foods or don’t have the relevant information or education to make smart dietary choices.
By framing the discussion around consumers and the nutritious value—rather than quantity—of foods they can access and consume, the regional roundtable Putting the Lens on the Consumer will explore how government and the private sector can meet the demand for more nutritious foods for the poor.
Specifically, the event will discuss how consumers interact with food systems, how markets affect their dietary preferences and consumption, and how government policies can enable or distort nutrition-sensitive food markets.
Sponsored by the South Asia Food and Nutrition Security Initiative (SAFANSI), a World Bank trust fund, the event will gather representatives from the public and private sectors, international donors and civil society.