Policy responses

China: Introduction of  a series of "vegetable basket" policies to stabilize production and supply;  Implementation of measures to improve the interconnection of farmers and merchants and improve the agricultural supply chain system; Inclusion of grains, oils, vegetables, meat, eggs, milk, and aquatic products in the scope of daily necessities during the pandemic prevention and control period.

Italy: Consumer preference is given to local products; in solidarity, about 82% of consumers agree on the importance of buying local products to safeguard the national food industry, according to a poll administered in March 2020. This objective is also supported by Codiretti’s campaign #MangiaItaliano, which was launched in March 2020 and saw the participation of famous personalities to promote “Made in Italy”.

Public procurement has also been used in both Italy and China to maintain demand of products: In support of dairy farmers, the Italian Ministry of Agricultural, Food and Forestry Policies planned to allocate 6 million euros for purchasing Ultra-High-Temperature (UHT) processed milk. The intention was to absorb the surplus and distribute UHT milk among vulnerable families. A similar proposal has been advanced for the allocation of 50 million euros to acquire the surplus of other food commodities for distribution to the poorest quantiles.

Kenya: the government has called for a proactive approach with the 1 million kitchen gardens campaign, which targets both rural and urban dwellers.
The initiative is part of the National COVID-19 Nutrition and Healthy Diets Guidelines, which considers affordable technologies for the creation of kitchen gardens and provides “Kitchen Garden Starter Kits” with a focus on vulnerable communities and groups.

Also, proposals have been advanced by the civil society on the reduction of VAT on all consumable goods to alleviate household purchasing capacity.
India: self-help groups (SHGs) have set up over 10,000 community kitchens across the country to deliver food to those in quarantine and the bedridden, and feed stranded workers, the poor, and the vulnerable. In Kerala, one of the country’s earliest community platforms of women (with 4.4 million members) run a number of these kitchens.

Links and references

China: Emergency Notice of the General Office of the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs and the General Office of the Ministry of Transport on ensuring the normal circulation of "vegetable basket" products and agricultural production materials， http://www.moa.gov.cn/gk/tzgg_1/tfw/202001/t20200130_6336493.htm；
Notice of the General Office of the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs on the effectiveness in guaranteeing agricultural resources during the period of coronavirus epidemic prevention and control，http://www.moa.gov.cn/govpublic/nybzzj1/202002/t20200228_6337967.htm；
Urgent Notice of the General Office of the Ministry of Commerce on Further Improving the Interconnection between Farmers and Merchants and Improving the Supply Chain System of Agricultural Products, http://www.gov.cn/zhengce/zhengceku/2020-02/15/content_5479112.htm;

Italy: Coldiretti. 7 March 2020. Coronavirus, in fila nei mercati contadini per #MangiaItaliano. [online]. [Cited 19 March 2020]. https://www.coldiretti.it/salute-e-sicurezza-alimentare/coronavirus-in-fila-nei-mercati-contadini-per-mangiaitaliano
ANSA, 14 March 2020. Coronavirus: appello cooperative, la produzione di latte va contenuta. T&GMondo Agricolo. [online]. [Cited 18 March 2020].   https://www.ansa.it/canale_terraegusto/notizie/mondo_agricolo/2020/03/14/coronavirus-appello-cooperative-contenete-produzione-latte_f19d7939-1305-4ae9-bab8-bf4a83f02b70.html
Ottaviano, C. 15 March 2020. Coronavirus, Bellanova: «Il cibo italiano è sicuro: no a certificati antivirus». Il Messaggero. [online]. [Cited 19 March 2020]. https://www.ilmessaggero.it/italia/coronavirus_italia_news_cibo_italiano_sicuro_alimenti_certificati_virus_free_teresa_bellanova-5111676.html

Gender related links ans references:
FAO, IFAD, UNICEF, WFP & WHO. 2017. The State of Food Security and Nutrition in the World 2017. Building resilience for peace and food security. Rome. (also available at http://www.fao.org/3/a-i7695e.pdf)
WB, 2020. In India, women’s self-help groups combat the COVID-19 (Coronavirus) pandemic. The World Bank. (also available at https://www.worldbank.org/en/news/feature/2020/04/11/women-self-help-groups-combat-covid19-coronavirus-pandemic-india)

Pros China: Ensure stable supply of food and major agricultural products; Alleviate the pressure of slow-moving agricultural products; Ensure people's requirements and the production needs of agricultural enterprises are met. Italy: Stabilize the market for local farmers and also agricultural SMEs; Better protection and support to breeding, slaughtering and distribution enterprises, and bear a certain proportion of economic risks. Kenya: households can produce part of their vegetable needs and mantain a healthy diet. VAT- reduce the financial burden on consumers

Cons Italy: Farmers producing items for exports are not covered by these measures and there could still be a shortage of food products that are not locally produced. Kenya: More vulnerable households are less likely to have access to kitchen gardens VAT- less cash for the government and it does not allow targeting those who are most effected and vulnerable

Minimum conditions China: For the mobilization of national material reserves, a certain amount of material reserves and transportation capacity are required. Accurate and timely information from supply-side and demand-side, as well as "point-to-point" purchasing and transportation capabilities. Italy: Consumer awareness and social responsibility. Logistics are available and markets and supermarkets need to have in place local sourcing mechanisms. The country needs to have infrastructures in place for the timely movement of goods, especially for perishable food products to reach the consumers. Kenya: availability of training and advisory services for supporting households with the know-how.