Access to special COVID-19 relief from distress grant and livelihood outcome of livestock farming households in Eastern Cape Province, South Africa

Unexpected events and shocks constitute greater threats to the attainment of zero hunger targets in Africa and the world over, and in the extreme case, lead to total collapse of the global food system and food supply chain. Consequently, this causes significant loss of critical income sources, renders individuals vulnerable, and further deteriorates households' livelihood outcome and welfare state. Therefore, the need for social protection programs to mitigate the impact of distress and unexpected events, as well as extreme occurrences cannot be over emphasized. This research used dataset from the 1499 households captured in the 2021 South African General Household Survey to investigate whether access to a special relief from distress grant has effect on the livestock farming households' food security status in Eastern Cape Province of South Africa. Descriptive statistics, cross-tabulation, a two-sample t-test, a food insecurity experience-based scale technique, and a fractional outcome model were used to analyze the datasets. Based on access to the grant, households in the non-beneficiary group are significantly distinguishable from the beneficiary counterparts, such that the beneficiary households out-performed the non-beneficiary households in the food break-even and food surplus categories. The findings further indicated the possibility of transition of the beneficiary households' population under the transitory food insecurity category to either the chronic food insecurity status or food break-even status, subject to the effectiveness of the food security policy to which they are exposed. The fractional outcome model also indicated that non -metropolitan resident households (p < 0.05), access to the special grant (p < 0.01), access to health facilities (p < 0.01), age of households' heads (p < 0.01), colored, indian and white population groups (both at p < 0.01), as well as access to remittance (p < 0.01) made significant contributions to the households' food security status. The Wald test indicated that access to the special relief grant had a significant effect on the households' food security status in the study area. The study therefore recommends accelerated investments in various social investment programs as sustained responses to expected and unexpected shocks and occurrences to be able to induce progress and realize more resilient food systems.

Impact of the "coronavirus" emergency on Italian livestock systems

This report describes the impact of the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic on the productive and economic aspects of livestock and aquaculture production in Italy, including farm management, labour, income, marketing and consumption of animal products (meat, fish, eggs, milk and dairy products), consumer behaviour, food safety, agrotourism and disease control.

The impact of COVID-19 and coping strategies used by small-scale farmers: a case study of buffalo city metropolitan, Amathole and O.R Tambo - district municipalities of the Eastern Cape

Livestock farming plays a vital role in food supply, job creation, promoting economic transformation and financial capital. Covid-19 pandemic negatively influenced livestock production through reduced access to markets, medicines, extension services and animal health services. The aim of the study was to assess the impact of covid-19 and coping strategies used by small-scale farmers in three municipalities. Eleven farms were purposively selected and a total of 30 farmers were interviewed using semi-structured questionnaires. The results showed that the participation of females (12%) in farming was low compared to males (88%). Lower participation by the youth was alarming with 92% of farmers were above 35 years of age and 50% having a matric. Landownership;40% were private farms, 30% rely on communal land and 30% on lease agreements. The findings showed that the majority of farmers kept livestock for cash sales (60%) meat (19%) and prestige (10%), respectively. Reduced access to markets (50%) and animal health services (19%) were the most highly ranked constraints. Farmers mentioned that they had lost marketing opportunities and income due to the suspension of traditional ceremonies and initiation schools by government restrictions. Approximately 50% of farmers acknowledged the government's intervention in the form of vouchers to cushion the impact covid-19. Due to stringent restrictions, 66% of farmers used cell phones, and 13% went used online to gain access information in order to cope with challenges imposed by the pandemic. In conclusion, the study revealed that small-scale farmers were socially and economically affected by the pandemic.

Applications of extended reality (XR) in agriculture, livestock farming, and aquaculture: A review

The primary sector is facing a series of challenges such as climate change, overpopulation, freshwater scarcity, energy poverty, urbanization and an ageing population. On top of that, the COVID-19 pandemic disrupted the sector even more. Extended Reality (XR) is a promising technology that can enable the solving of the aforementioned challenges. The main aim of this study was to analyze the use of XR in agriculture, livestock farming, and aquaculture, as well as to identify trends and gaps in its use. Therefore, a literature review was conducted to classify relevant research studies according to XR use in terms of focus area and application type, and human – machine interaction in relation to XR type, XR viewer device, and XR controller type. The results indicated that there is huge potential from the application of XR in the primary sector, even if this field of studies is at a premature level. Moreover, there are many ways and devices that allow human-machine interaction in XR environments for agriculture, livestock farming, and aquaculture. Further research is needed to solve health and privacy and security issues and achieve seamless and more immersive interaction in XR environments, thereby enabling users to take full benefit of XR technology in the primary sector. © 2022

Livestock risk protection payments for feeder cattle during COVID-19

Daily offering data for Livestock Risk Protection (LRP) insurance for feeder cattle in the USA was used to measure the indemnity payments that could have been paid when prices rapidly declined during the COVID-19 pandemic. Findings show to policy makers and producers how LRP mitigated losses in recent years and during the pandemic.

Comparative analysis of shrimp production in Ecuador in the 2010-2020 period

Efficiency in shrimp farming is due to the use of an extensive system that includes fewer larvae per pool, which increases productivity, improves financial results, and even the environmental impacts generated during these operations. The objective of this study was to identify the factors that affect supply in the Ecuadorian shrimp sector. To this end, some statistical techniques such as linear regression and hypothesis testing were used. A bibliographic study was carried out regarding shrimp production in Ecuador, taking as reference the data provided by the National Chamber of Aquaculture and public control entities and reviewing the unprecedented impact on the current COVID19 sanitary crisis and the reduction of shrimp demand affecting Ecuador's income. Finally, it was observed that the research variables considered directly impact crustacean production, and a mathematical model was established.

Impact of COVID-19 on livestock production and marketing in Nigeria

The current COVID-19 pandemic has exposed the agricultural value chains in Nigeria to economic uncertainties with the livestock sector at the receiving end of the impact of the accompanying effects. The present study assessed the extent of the impact of COVID-19 pandemic on livestockfarmers. Aweb-based cross-sectional online questionnaire survey was conducted in randomly selected 12 States in Nigeria. Data gathered through the questionnaire included;respondents' demographic characteristics, knowledge and attitude regarding COVID-19 pandemic, extent of impact of the pandemic, farm activities severely affected and mitigation efforts made by the affected livestock farmers. Data obtained were analyzed using descriptive statistics, including frequency count, percentage, mean and confidence interval set at p<0.05. This study revealed that majority (73%) of the livestock farmers were aware of COVID-19 pandemic, 66% practiced intensive farming system while 62% were into poultry production. Knowledge and attitude of livestock farmers regarding COVID-19 revealed that 86% of the respondents believed that COVID-19 did not have a specific drug for treatment, 97% agreed with the principle of hand washing, 70% had hand washing stations on their farms while 59% believed that animals could be infected with the disease. Of the extent of the impact of COVID-19, 42% claimed to have had high blood pressure, 80% lacked funds to run their farms while 27% witnessed the loss of loved ones, 86% of the farmers were severely affected in marketing of their products and services;72%, 52% and 72% were affected in restocking, farm cleaning and transportation, respectively. As a result of the pandemic, 39% sought for loans and reduced labour, 24% stopped payment of salaries while 23% reduced the quantity and quality of feeds given to their animals. The present study highlighted the devastating effects of the COVID-19 pandemic on the livestock industry in Nigeria. Therefore, concerted efforts to ensure the survival of the livestock industry must be put in place by individuals and the government at large to salvage current situation and emergency preparedness protocol should be put in place in case of future occurrence.

Socio-economic progress of shrimp farming in Punjab

COVID-19 pandemic devastated the world with unprecedented economic crisis, leaving everyone confused and apprehended, including the livestock sector. As a resilience measure, shrimp farmers of Punjab were advised some remedial adaptations. Expecting good results, socio-economic evaluation of shrimp farmers from 3 south west districts (Fazilka, Sri Muktsar Sahib and Mansa) of the state was carried out. With enthusiastic participation of young (56.7% 35 years of age) and educated (50% graduates) farmers, overall 86.6% of the farmers followed the advisories. The pandemic delayed stocking of ponds, however 66.7% of farmers harvested 6.5 to 8.75 t shrimp ha crop . -1 -1 Non-availability of water testing facility within approachable distance emerged as the major constraint (80%), while only 6.66% farmers each reported marketing and seed related problems. With culture period of 101-120 (40%) and >120 (36.7%) days, 66.7% farmers obtained feed conversion ratio <1.2. Further, 43.3 and 36.7% farmers harvested shrimp with an average body weight of 31-35g and 26-30g, respectively and 100% farmers marketed shrimp at the farm site @ Rs. 301-400 (53.3%) and >Rs. 400/- (40%) kg, corresponding to net profit of >12.5 lakh -1 (60%) and 7.6-12.5 lakh (26.7%) ha . The adopted resilience plan helped the farmers to realize optimal economic returns from shrimp farming -1 in Punjab.

Applications of Extended Reality (XR) in Agriculture, Livestock Farming, and Aquaculture: A Review

The primary sector is facing a series of challenges such as climate change, overpopulation, freshwater scarcity, energy poverty, urbanization and an ageing population. On top of that, the COVID-19 pandemic disrupted the sector even more. Extended Reality (XR) is a promising technology that can enable the solving of the aforementioned challenges. The main aim of this study was to analyze the use of XR in agriculture, livestock farming, and aquaculture, as well as to identify trends and gaps in its use. Therefore, a literature review was conducted to classify relevant research studies according to XR use in terms of focus area and application type, and human – machine interaction in relation to XR type, XR viewer device, and XR controller type. The results indicated that there is huge potential from the application of XR in the primary sector, even if this field of studies is at a premature level. Moreover, there are many ways and devices that allow human-machine interaction in XR environments for agriculture, livestock farming, and aquaculture. Further research is needed to solve health and privacy and security issues and achieve seamless and more immersive interaction in XR environments, thereby enabling users to take full benefit of XR technology in the primary sector.

Standards and indicators used to increase effectiveness and efficiency in management of crisis (COVID-19) and its impact on agricultural farm/industry management and marketing

Animal health and diseases have a major impact on human health and behaviour (i.e. zoonosis, schools, communication etc), food production (African Swine Fever), economy (direct and indirect costs) and trade (export, import, intercommunity trade). Even almost all countries have implemented all kind of management measures, humanity still face up today huge problems, for example the most recent experience, being COVID-19, which ceased almost all human activities in the world and changed people behaviour for several years (2019 up today). For this reason, the paper represents a systemic review of recent information on different management indicators developed - epidemiological/economic etc in order to assist managers (politically, authorities, farmers, all the people involved) to prevent, survey and control such diseases, to develop best practices for benchmarking their country health systems/farm management system etc, and finally to led to an effective and efficient management of infectious disease in livestock during crisis. In this regard, the retrospective method was used and the information reviewed was collected from the latest information published between 2019-2022, available on WHO, Economic Impact, CDC websites, where through a tremendous and collaborative effort across different public health organisations, scientists in the world, dashboards and standard indicators publicly available have been developed. The results of this study demonstrate that the managers of livestock during crisis, the competent authorities, the governments have to consider, undertake and include these kind of tools/indicators in their management in order to assist them to develop their emergency preparedness capacity and to manage in an effective way the infectious diseases during crisis respectively prevention, early detection, rapid response, identifying their vulnerabilities etc.

Sustainable indigenous cattle production in Brebes Regency, Indonesia: opportunities and threats during pandemic

This study assesses the sustainability of indigenous cattle production (Jabres Cattle) during the COVID 19 pandemic in Brebes Regency, Indonesia. The sustainability of Jabres cattle production is considered from the aspects of production, socio-economic, and environmental aspects. The study was conducted on 64 Jabres farmers in 5 sub-districts (Ketanggungan, Bantarkawung, Banjarharjo, Larangan, and Salem). Respondents were taken using a simple random sampling method and data was taken using online questionnaires. The collected data were analyzed using descriptive statistics. The indigenous cattle farmers in Brebes Regency have a long experience as beef cattle farmers (10.7 years on average) with an average ownership scale of 7 heads. During the pandemic, there was an increase of 54.7 percent of farmers who felt it was difficult to get cattle breeds compared to before the pandemic. The number of farmers who found it difficult to get forage also showed an increase of 36 percent compared to before the pandemic. Likewise, an increase in the number of farmers (75 percent) felt that it was increasingly difficult to sell beef cattle, which resulted in not making it easy for profits. However, the COVID 19 pandemic can encourage all farmers to pay more attention to the cleanliness of cowshed and the cage environment. Most of the indigenous cattle farmers (89 percent) remain committed to continuing their business despite difficulties in obtaining calves, feed, and selling cattle. Farmers still have confidence that the difficult situation will pass, and demand slaughter cattle will recover.

The COVID-19 pandemic: impact assessment on poultry farming in Aurangabad district of Marathwada region

The COVID-19 is a major and wide global issue concern to the health of human being, it can lead to various severe problems created adverse impact on various agro-based sectors including poultry farming. Researchers from different fields have studied about the issues and have addressed the possible impacts of COVID-19 on variety of complex issues and problems associated with the poultry farming. Therefore, the present study aimed at to assessed the condition and challenges of COVID-19 by linking its impact on poultry farming with dependent peoples. The pandemic and lockdown impacted the overall poultry production system. This creates a results in drastic reduced value of consumption of poultry products. The study was conducted based on primary data collection, during the same period and its connection with poultry farming, its production, demand and supply was analyzed. Due to the situation of COVID-19 farmers faced various issues related to their need like low income, labor issues, starting of production, transportation problems, low demand of consumers, financial issues were identified. The present study shows that the impact of COVID-19 and its overall scenario on three different selected poultry farms in Aurangabad district. To assessing the impact on these farming a systematic study carried out with the help of collection of primary data from the study area, which provides the information about the impact on different parameters in the poultry farming.

Secondary PM2.5 decreases significantly less than NO2 emission reductions during COVID lockdown in Germany

This study estimates the influence of anthropogenic emission reductions on the concentration of particulate matter with a diameter smaller than 2.5 µm (PM2.5) during the 2020 lockdown period in German metropolitan areas. After accounting for meteorological effects, PM2.5 concentrations during the spring 2020 lockdown period were 5 % lower compared to the same time period in 2019. However, during the 2020 pre-lockdown period (winter), PM2.5 concentrations with meteorology accounted for were 19 % lower than in 2019. Meanwhile, NO2 concentrations with meteorology accounted for dropped by 23 % during the 2020 lockdown period compared to an only 9 % drop for the 2020 pre-lockdown period, both compared to 2019. SO2 and CO concentrations with meteorology accounted for show no significant changes during the 2020 lockdown period compared to 2019. GEOS-Chem (GC) simulations with a COVID-19 emission reduction scenario based on the observations (23 % reduction in anthropogenic NOx emission with unchanged anthropogenic volatile organic compounds (VOCs) and SO2) are consistent with the small reductions of PM2.5 during the lockdown and are used to identify the underlying drivers for this. Due to being in a NOx-saturated ozone production regime, GC OH radical and O3 concentrations increased (15 % and 9 %, respectively) during the lockdown compared to a business-as-usual (BAU, no lockdown) scenario. Ox (equal to NO2+O3) analysis implies that the increase in ozone at nighttime is solely due to reduced NO titration. The increased O3 results in increased NO3 radical concentrations, primarily during the night, despite the large reductions in NO2. Thus, the oxidative capacity of the atmosphere is increased in all three important oxidants, OH, O3, and NO3. PM nitrate formation from gas-phase nitric acid (HNO3) is decreased during the lockdown as the increased OH concentration cannot compensate for the strong reductions in NO2, resulting in decreased daytime HNO3 formation from the OH + NO2 reaction. However, nighttime formation of PM nitrate from N2O5 hydrolysis is relatively unchanged. This results from the fact that increased nighttime O3 results in significantly increased NO3, which roughly balances the effect of the strong NO2 reductions on N2O5 formation. Ultimately, the only small observed decrease in lockdown PM2.5 concentrations can be explained by the large contribution of nighttime PM nitrate formation, generally enhanced sulfate formation, and slightly decreased ammonium. This study also suggests that high PM2.5 episodes in early spring are linked to high atmospheric ammonia concentrations combined with favorable meteorological conditions of low temperature and low boundary layer height. Northwest Germany is a hot-spot of NH3 emissions, primarily emitted from livestock farming and intensive agricultural activities (fertilizer application), with high NH3 concentrations in the early spring and summer months. Based on our findings, we suggest that appropriate NOx and VOC emission controls are required to limit ozone, and that should also help reduce PM2.5. Regulation of NH3 emissions, primarily from agricultural sectors, could result in significant reductions in PM2.5 pollution.

COVID-19, Beef Price Spreads, and Market Power

Key words: meatpacking, plant shutdown, oligopoly, oligopsony (ProQuest: ... denotes formulae omitted.) Introduction The unprecedented spike in beef price spreads (Figure 1) and drop in cattle slaughter (Figure 2), as beef-packing plants closed or slowed production because of COVID-19 (Dyal, 2020;Taylor, Boulos, and Almond, 2020) prompted calls for investigations into "inappropriate influence" during the pandemic by the highly concentrated packers in the beef market (National Cattlemen's Beef Association, 2020;R-Calf, 2020;Grassley, 2020). The extent to which packer concentration and market power are believed to have triggered or exacerbated the widening of the beef price spread during the pandemic is revealed in a series of letters from cattle producer groups to lawmakers and lawmakers to government agencies. On April 29, 2020, R-Calf (2020) wrote to President Trump and congressional leaders stating that packer concentration "stymies producers' market access and robust competition for cattle... [and] also transfers any marketing power America's cattle farmers and ranchers might possess to the highly concentrated beef packing industry." On July 22, 2020, 5 months into the pandemic, the USDA released the Boxed Beef & Fed Cattle Price Spread Investigation Report, which summarized, in addition to the market impacts of the Tyson fire on beef price spreads, the market impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic (U.S. Department of Agriculture, 2020a).

Impact of COVID-19 on livestock exports from Somalia and the Horn of Africa

Somalia has a significant place in the livestock sector in the Horn of Africa;livestock trade and export is one of the key economic contributors. Most of the livestock trade happens with the Middle East, the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia being one of its biggest importers. The COVID-19 pandemic has led to both massive loss of life and huge economic losses as the result of measures to contain the virus. In June 2020, the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia took the decision to restrict the number of pilgrims for the annual Hajj. Impacts resulted in a decline in income from the seasonal Hajj of 80 per cent, though domestically prices of livestock remained stable and local markets were used for livestock sales. This paper, besides highlighting the effects, provides recommendations which could inform strategic planning, humanitarian aid, and resilience building for the livestock value chain in Somalia and the Horn of Africa.

A world in forced pause: human relationships with other animals for global welfare

According to physics principles, any action produces a reaction and generates consequences. Under this premise, it is essential to reflect on the actions we have in our relationships with other animals in current times. Our actions always bring implications, in many cases, affecting the welfare of animals, humans, or the planet. A unique virus, COVID-19, caused a pandemic, with more than 50 million cases in 188 countries as of November 2020. Evidence indicates its spread was a consequence of the human relationship with wild animals used for marketing and consumption, generating radical changes in social and economic dynamics, and significantly impacting animals. The lockdowns slowed down daily life, forced stop using vehicles, and reduce our excessive consumption of things. In just a few months, nature has shown that fauna can return to places where it had not been present for decades, the water cleared, the air cleaned, and a kind of natural balance returned. During the forced human quarantine, the outlook for production animals showed the fragility and low resilience of high-density industrialized systems. The excess of animals in contrast to the low number of processing plants (large in size, and therefore fragile when facing a problem like this) resulted in the emergency slaughter of millions of animals on farms. In the case of companion animals, they have suffered collateral damage due to conscious or involuntary relinquishment due to cities' surprise closures;additionally, humans' constant presence at home has generated multiple behavioral problems. For animals in zoos, the situation is also difficult, as visitors' absence reduced incomes;it has put many zoos around the world at risk of closure. The impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on animal, environmental, and human welfare is clear. Hence, the objective is to analyze the impact of the pandemic on global welfare.

A regional approach to drought index-insurance in Intergovernmental Authority on Development (IGAD) countries: volume 2 - intergovernmental authority on development country annexes

The objectives of this report are to review for each IGAD country the overall environment for the operational feasibility of implementing IBLI. The operational feasibility areas are summarized and scored at the end of each country chapter. They include the following;Importance of pastoral livestock for economy;Impact of drought on livestock;Pastoralist demand for livestock insurance;Effective distribution channels for micro-level IBLI;Existing pastoralist beneficiary registries;Pastoralist financial literacy;Legal and regulatory insurance environment;Insurance market development;Interest from insurers in IBLI;Finance available for premiums;and Interest from government stakeholders in IBLI. This report was conducted combining a desk-based study with key informant interviews. As for Volume I, given the travel restrictions due to COVID-19, only a minimum of in-country stakeholder meetings have been possible. Instead, questionnaires were shared with more than 50 in-country expert stakeholders (of which 21 replied), including ministries of agriculture, ministries of humanitarian affairs, ministries of finance, insurance regulators, development partners, livestock associations and non-governmental organizations (NGOs), inquiring about the status quo of drought risk financing initiatives in IGAD countries, the status of needed operational infrastructure for a regional approach, and the interest of stakeholders to support such an approach. Where applicable, results from these questionnaires and from other stakeholder consultations were included in the country annexes (as indicated).

Impact of COVID-19 on livestock production in Nigeria: a review

Corona virus disease 2019 (Covid-19) has been major threat for the sustainability of human existence. In understanding the gravity of the situation, every state has undertaken special steps to fight against the pandemic mostly with measures involving social distancing and self-isolation, restriction in travel and trade. This is done in all the states to avoid the spread of the virus. All these strategies to combat against the pandemic have greatly affected an important economic sector such as livestock production. Livestock production is one of the main agricultural sector in endorsing availability and accessibility of food and human development. Livestock plays an important role in the economic system, provides food and feed material, creates employment opportunities to a very large population;meet the animal protein demands of the economy. At present, livestock industry has included game reserves, recreational centers, marketing of livestock, processing of livestock, distribution of animal products, research institutes etc. are all accepted as component of modern animal production. This review intends to document the impact of Covid-19 pandemic on livestock production and food security as it primarily involves the sustainability of human life and the economy. It was observed that the Covid-19 pandemic protocols and provisions interferes with the supply chain of the market with impaired production and distribution.

The competitiveness of French animal sectors in the face of European and global competition

This article presents the performance of livestock and poultry farmers in France highlighting their competitiveness in the global market in terms of import, export, and domestic production of meat, milk and poultry products. Also highlighted are measures taken by local livestock producers to cope with the constraints due to Covid-19.

What are the main avenues to promote transmission/installation in breeding?

This article highlighted some of the proposals one of which is the development of training programmes to train future breeders as business leaders among others which is intended to help livestock breeders in France to improve their stocks and also to cope with the economic losses due to Covid-19.