The paper The Role of Digital Payments in Sustainable Agriculture and Food Security 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 the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (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.”
In 2013, Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) Leaders agreed to build regional capacity to assist APEC economies in rationalizing and phasing out inefficient fossil fuel subsidies that encourage wasteful consumption, while recognizing the importance of providing those in need with essential e