Perception and impact of the COVID-19 pandemic among smallholder farmers in eastern Ethiopia
The COVID-19 pandemic has affected all aspects of human life. Its effect was particularly severe in sectors that are directly related to agricultural production and food security. This research was conducted to uncover the perception of smallholder farmers in eastern Ethiopia about the pandemic, pre...
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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Taylor & Francis Group
2023-12-01
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| Series: | Cogent Social Sciences |
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| Online Access: | https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/10.1080/23311886.2023.2209369 |
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| author | Muluken Gezahegn Wordofa Getachew Shambel Endris Chanyalew Seyoum Aweke Jemal Y. Hassen Jeylan Woliye Awol Seid Elyas Ahmed Hakim Hashim Eric Ndemo Okoyo |
| author_facet | Muluken Gezahegn Wordofa Getachew Shambel Endris Chanyalew Seyoum Aweke Jemal Y. Hassen Jeylan Woliye Awol Seid Elyas Ahmed Hakim Hashim Eric Ndemo Okoyo |
| author_sort | Muluken Gezahegn Wordofa |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | The COVID-19 pandemic has affected all aspects of human life. Its effect was particularly severe in sectors that are directly related to agricultural production and food security. This research was conducted to uncover the perception of smallholder farmers in eastern Ethiopia about the pandemic, prevention and control measures, and its impact on their livelihood. Through a semi-structured interview schedule conducted on 176 randomly selected rural households, we found a varying level of practicing the recommended COVID-19 prevention and control measures. The study also found that the response of the media, family members and religious organizations to the pandemic was rated as “very good”. The most important impact of the pandemic was associated with household’s inability to obtain a reasonable price for their agricultural produce, and inability to attend religious gatherings/prayers. Other impacts of the pandemic were fear of losing friends and getting sick/losing life. Considering the increasing number of COVID-19 cases, a reinforced awareness creation campaign, behaviour change communication by extension workers, and continued provision of basic health and sanitation facilities was recommended. Such interventions should focus on improving the access of smallholders to Personal Protective Equipments (PPEs). Continued engagement with diverse media platforms and developing trust is also needed to increase the spread of reliable COVID-19 related information. Moreover, safeguarding the agricultural sector against risks and uncertainties has to be prioritized through strengthening early warning system, distributing improved/early-maturing seeds and fertilizers, providing insecticides/pesticides, linking smallholders to market outlets, and emergency food aid via the Productive Safety Net Program (PSNP). |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj-art-5e556b88dbdb4090892816aae81ccb59 |
| institution | DOAJ |
| issn | 2331-1886 |
| language | English |
| publishDate | 2023-12-01 |
| publisher | Taylor & Francis Group |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Cogent Social Sciences |
| spelling | doaj-art-5e556b88dbdb4090892816aae81ccb592025-08-20T03:22:26ZengTaylor & Francis GroupCogent Social Sciences2331-18862023-12-019110.1080/23311886.2023.2209369Perception and impact of the COVID-19 pandemic among smallholder farmers in eastern EthiopiaMuluken Gezahegn Wordofa0Getachew Shambel Endris1Chanyalew Seyoum Aweke2Jemal Y. Hassen3Jeylan Woliye4Awol Seid5Elyas Ahmed6Hakim Hashim7Eric Ndemo Okoyo8Institutions, Innovation Systems, and Economic Development, Haramaya University, Dire Dawa, EthiopiaDevelopment and Rural Innovation Systems, Haramaya University, Dire Dawa, EthiopiaResearch, Extension and Publication Director, Haramaya University, Dire Dawa, EthiopiaSenior Agricultural Extension Scientist, Haramaya University, Dire Dawa, EthiopiaProfessor of Cultural and Social Analysis, College of Social Sciences and Humanities, Haramaya University, EthiopiaResearch and Extension Director, Ministry of Science and Higher Education, Addis Ababa, EthiopiaSenior Public Health Specialist, College of Health and Medical Sciences, Haramaya University, Dire Dawa, EthiopiaDepartment of Rural Development and Agricultural Extension, Haramaya University, Dire Dawa, EthiopiaDepartment of Rural Development and Agricultural Extension, Haramaya University, Dire Dawa, EthiopiaThe COVID-19 pandemic has affected all aspects of human life. Its effect was particularly severe in sectors that are directly related to agricultural production and food security. This research was conducted to uncover the perception of smallholder farmers in eastern Ethiopia about the pandemic, prevention and control measures, and its impact on their livelihood. Through a semi-structured interview schedule conducted on 176 randomly selected rural households, we found a varying level of practicing the recommended COVID-19 prevention and control measures. The study also found that the response of the media, family members and religious organizations to the pandemic was rated as “very good”. The most important impact of the pandemic was associated with household’s inability to obtain a reasonable price for their agricultural produce, and inability to attend religious gatherings/prayers. Other impacts of the pandemic were fear of losing friends and getting sick/losing life. Considering the increasing number of COVID-19 cases, a reinforced awareness creation campaign, behaviour change communication by extension workers, and continued provision of basic health and sanitation facilities was recommended. Such interventions should focus on improving the access of smallholders to Personal Protective Equipments (PPEs). Continued engagement with diverse media platforms and developing trust is also needed to increase the spread of reliable COVID-19 related information. Moreover, safeguarding the agricultural sector against risks and uncertainties has to be prioritized through strengthening early warning system, distributing improved/early-maturing seeds and fertilizers, providing insecticides/pesticides, linking smallholders to market outlets, and emergency food aid via the Productive Safety Net Program (PSNP).https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/10.1080/23311886.2023.2209369COVID-19impactsmallholder farmersfood securityperceptionEthiopia |
| spellingShingle | Muluken Gezahegn Wordofa Getachew Shambel Endris Chanyalew Seyoum Aweke Jemal Y. Hassen Jeylan Woliye Awol Seid Elyas Ahmed Hakim Hashim Eric Ndemo Okoyo Perception and impact of the COVID-19 pandemic among smallholder farmers in eastern Ethiopia Cogent Social Sciences COVID-19 impact smallholder farmers food security perception Ethiopia |
| title | Perception and impact of the COVID-19 pandemic among smallholder farmers in eastern Ethiopia |
| title_full | Perception and impact of the COVID-19 pandemic among smallholder farmers in eastern Ethiopia |
| title_fullStr | Perception and impact of the COVID-19 pandemic among smallholder farmers in eastern Ethiopia |
| title_full_unstemmed | Perception and impact of the COVID-19 pandemic among smallholder farmers in eastern Ethiopia |
| title_short | Perception and impact of the COVID-19 pandemic among smallholder farmers in eastern Ethiopia |
| title_sort | perception and impact of the covid 19 pandemic among smallholder farmers in eastern ethiopia |
| topic | COVID-19 impact smallholder farmers food security perception Ethiopia |
| url | https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/10.1080/23311886.2023.2209369 |
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