Aimpoint Research® and NCFC Partner to Identify Priority Resiliency Actions
After every operation, the military conducts an After-Action Review (AAR) to examine what went well, what didn't, and how to improve for the future. Disruptions and challenges experienced across the agri-food value chain due to the global pandemic and, most recently, grid failures in Texas have underscored the importance of assessing persistent vulnerabilities and identifying priorities to improve resiliency in preparation for a future crisis. Leveraging their military experience, Aimpoint Research partnered with the National Council of Farmer Cooperatives (NCFC) to lead a Pandemic AAR & Resiliency Planning exercise to provide critical insights for every sector of the agri-food value chain.
The AAR included in-depth intelligence gathered by the Aimpoint Research Agri-Food WatchDesk team, as well as input from over 100 agri-food industry leaders on the challenges they faced, actions they took, and remaining concerns. This comprehensive report uncovered persistent vulnerabilities across every sector of the value chain:
- Financial Resiliency
- Governance vs. Politics
- Consumer Patterns
- Technology Barriers
- Lack of Biosecurity
These vulnerabilities were used as the basis for the Resiliency Planning exercise conducted during NCFC's 2021 Annual Meeting. Over 300 agri-food leaders came together during this event to discuss the intelligence report and identify priority actions the industry should consider to make each sector stronger. Common themes emerged and resulted in six priority resilience-building actions.
- Policy & Government Coordination
- Communication & Collaboration
- Supply Chain Diversity & Redundancy
- Consumer Trust & Traceability
- Contingency Planning
- Biosecurity
From a business and public policy perspective, agri-food must continue to build resiliency in preparation for future crises and market disruptions. These themes, backed by comprehensive intel work, can serve as a basis for long-term planning.
To receive additional details about the results of the Pandemic AAR & Resiliency Planning exercise, contact Sarah Tveidt.