8 practices to minimize the impact of the covid-19 pandemic on agricultural development and food security

By Susan Karimiha, Fatemeh Malekian, Tatiana LeGrand, Mariano Sobalbarro, Cedric Habirayemye, Chuck Chopak and Russ Webster

The Impact of the COVID-19 Pandemic on International Agricultural development and Food Security

As a result of the COVID-19 pandemic, which was declared by the World Health Organization (WHO) on March 11, 2020, lives around the world have become disrupted. Throughout the world, social distancing, curfews and, in some cases, stay at home orders, have become common practice. In addition to the immediate health risks posed by the virus, there will be significant impacts on the livelihoods of individuals in resource-limited settings and farms throughout the world. Previous research on epidemics and pandemics suggests long term social and economic impacts on agricultural livelihoods and food security (Gatiso et al., 2018; World Bank, 2019; Muzari et al., 2014; Asenso-Okyere et al., 2010). As an example, in the short term and on an individual level, in a recent interview aired on a Honduran news station, a female farmer cried, “We need to eat! What are we going to eat? My fruit over there is already rotten. They tell us to stay in the house. But how will we eat?” The impact of the virus on immediate poverty, malnutrition, and hunger, is especially apparent in resource-limited settings. The pandemic is a double threat to vulnerable communities—hunger and malnutrition further compromise the immune system—placing many in the highest risk group for COVID-19 with less resilience to fight the virus. Furthermore, the economic consequences of the virus on employment impacts the ability of people to purchase goods and produces an increase in market volatility.
Travel restrictions impact trade, international business, and training opportunities. Adjustments to social events are already taking place around the world, with cultural and religious gatherings which involve food traditions (e.g. Easter, Diwali, Passover, Ramadan, funerals, weddings). Just recently, International Food Policy Research Institute (IFPRI) experts suggested that the reduction in economic growth following the COVID-19 outbreak could increase poverty rates by 1.7%-3.0%, with varying magnitude in different regions, and prices are falling  for many agricultural commodities.
Development initiatives may consider the following recommendations for minimizing the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on agriculture and rural development.  

1. As countries close their borders to contain the pandemic’s spread, they must pay attention to the market flow of agricultural goods for feeding, clothing, and fueling the world.
2. Governments at all levels should recognize agricultural food system operations and research as essential and provide everyone involved with the protection and support that they need to continue to work, following safety and health protocols.
3. Immediate flexibility of training and extension programs should be instilled to help keep vulnerable populations safe.  Extension programs are designed to reach those who are in need but have a difficult time accessing information. Services should also reach populations that do not currently have access to technology.
4. Support should be provided for cash-free transactions of relief programs to help farmers recover their losses and for the unemployed to have the capital to purchase goods.
5. Successful agricultural production is tied heavily to social capital; however, the virus has impacted social relations among all areas of the agricultural value chain. Agricultural solutions should consider how, “physical distancing,” may be possible without, “social distancing,” during this time of crisis.
6. Due to heightened consumer demand and awareness for safe products, there should be an emphasis on food safety for farms, retailers, and marketplaces.
7. Researchers,  practitioners, and policy-makers should pay special attention to the impact of the virus on current conflict zones and crisis areas  which are already fragile. More granularity is needed on the impact of COVID-19 on households and their livelihoods, especially vulnerable and marginalized populations. COVID-19 will impact limited cash reserves (or worse people will go hungry, make difficult choices about whether or not to visit a clinic, etc.) and labor availability (to implement their livelihood strategies, especially agriculture).
8. Humanitarian aid and development assistance professionals will need to work together to provide fast relief, that does not undermine longer-term development efforts and sustainability. For example, the resilience approach combines both humanitarian aid and development assistance to prepare communities for future crises.

Meanwhile, as the world is continued to be shaped by recent events, we are urged to reflect on how our practices can shape the world into a better place for agriculture and food. A recent blog post by World Bank speaks to ways to keep food moving during the disruptions which have occurred due to the virus. Additionally, a piece by Julie Borlaug describes perfectly how we can feel hope  through agriculture, despite the current uncertainties.  Additional resources are available and being collected on the following link from IFPRI: https://www.ifpri.org/spotlight/ifpri-resources-and-analyses-coronavirus-disease-covid-19-pandemic

Susan Karimiha, Ph.D., AIARD Future Leader Fellow 18’, Graduate Research Assistant at Louisiana State University & AIARD Secretary

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Fatemeh Malekian, Ph.D., Professor of Nutrition and Food Science, Southern University Agricultural Research and Extension Center

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​Mariano Sobalbarro, M.S., Development Specialist, State of Olancho, Honduras

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Cedric Habiyaremye, Ph.D., Agricultural Consultant

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Tatiana LeGrand, Ph.D., Economic Development, Agriculture and Natural Resources Consultant 

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Chuck Chopak, Ph.D., Resilience and Food Security at DAI & Past President of AIARD

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Russ Webster, MPA, ​President and CEO of Food Enterprise Solutions & President-elect of AIARD 

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