Effects of Coronavirus on Food Systems in Ikwerre Local Government Area of Rivers State, Nigeria

Abstract

The coronavirus pandemic is putting diets, food systems, and agricultural production in jeopardy globally, with agricultural trade and value chains out of reach for the masses. Therefore, this study examines the impact of coronavirus on food systems in Ikwerre LGA of Rivers State, Nigeria. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics. The result of the socio-economic descriptions shows that a majority (78.9%) of the farmers were married, and 71.9% indicated no interest in any farmers’ association. Also, the result shows that a majority (96.5%) of the farmers were aware of the coronavirus pandemic, and 52.6% agreed that farmers were vulnerable to coronavirus. Market closures and farmers' vulnerability to coronavirus were statistically significant with food systems sustainability. The study recommended that farming inputs should be subsidized and agricultural produce markets reorganized. Also, storage facilities should be made available in rural areas.

Keywords

• Coronavirus
• food systems
• distributions
• vulnerability
• Sustainability

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