Viability of Agri-Food Supply Chains amid the COVID-19 Challenges: A Probabilistic Framework

2021-11-04
Viability of Agri-Food Supply Chains amid the COVID-19 Challenges: A Probabilistic Framework

Projekto trukmė 2021-2023 m.

 

Projekto Nr. 01.2.2-LMT-K-718-05-0060

 

Projekto vadovė prof. Dalia Štreimikienė

 

The COVID-19 pandemic has caused disruptions in the agri-food supply chains. As the agri-food supply chains are related to the basic needs of the population, the governments have responded with a plethora of policy measures aimed at alleviating the undesirable effects of the COVID-19. Still, there is no clear understanding as to how different policy measures interact and affect the viability of the agri-food supply chains. In this project, we resort to the concept of the viability of the supply chains and seek to devise the measures thereof by employing multi-criteria analysis and simulation. This will allow identifying the combinations of the policy measures ensuring effective use of the public funds and improving food security via the proper functioning agri-food supply chains. The case of Lithuania will be dealt with in the empirical analysis.


The aim of the project is to propose a quantitative framework for the analysis and maintenance of viable agri-food supply chains amid the COVID-19 pandemic induced challenges. TThe project seeks to propose strategies for strengthening Lithuanian agri-food supply chains by enabling them to withstand future crises. The resilience, sustainability and agility of Lithuanian agri-food supply chains are to be considered to reduce the effects of disruptions and ensure food security. The project comprises the following key blocks: viability indicators, policy measures and quantitative modelling. The construction of the indicator system for agri-food supply chain viability will allow for quantitative analysis of the policy and other exogenous effects. Identification of the major challenges for Lithuanian agri-food sector triggered by the COVID-19 pandemic across the supply chain will be carried out. The possible policy measures relevant for different agri-food supply chain actors will be linked to the supply chain viability indicators. The expert knowledge and quantitative techniques will be employed to model the possible effects of the policy measures on the performance of the agri-food supply chains in Lithuania. The project will propose novel quantitative framework allowing for probabilistic analysis of the whole agri-food supply chain performance in the crisis that could be further adapted for more general cases. The project will also contribute to increasing the expertise of the experienced and young researchers at Lithuanian Centre for Social Sciences.

 

The project is financed by the European Regional Development Fund. Funded as the European Union's response to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Project publications