The Role of Digital Payments in Sustainable Agriculture and Food Security

This paper examines how a shift to digital payments can provide powerful solutions that help countries improve agricultural productivity and ensure food security, thus raising incomes, reducing hunger, and driving financial inclusion. These issues have specific relevance to APEC, given that agriculture makes a substantial economic contribution to the APEC economies. Additionally, one of the key priorities for APEC Viet Nam 2017 is enhancing food security and sustainable agriculture in response to climate change. This report aims to help APEC economies begin (or expedite) the shift to digitize payments in their agriculture sectors. In addition, the information and recommendations herein are likely to assist APEC economies and other countries in fulfilling their commitments toward Sustainable Development Goal #2: “End hunger, achieve food security and improved nutrition and promote sustainable agriculture.”