A global analysis of COVID-19 impact on agriculture

ABSTRACT

Background:The world has been facing a major crisis developed by the pandemic of Covid-19, which has made an impact on all spheres of human life. Every business sector and industry has been facing a difficult period, which seems to continue for some period of time. The primary aim of this study was to look at the global impact of Covid-19 on the agriculture sector all around the globe. To collect relevant data and information, a comprehensive review of the literature was conducted by following a qualitative research design, which means that no empirical research was conducted. So, after reviewing a range of literature on the impact of Covid-19, it was found that like many other sectors, the agriculture sector has also been hit hard by the pandemic of Covid-19. Things have been going through a difficult period, and even then, lockdown is being lifted in different parts of the world, the situation is still under dark skies. The global food supply chain, agricultural product supply, agricultural activity along farming has been largely affected, which has also made a negative impact on the income of farmers. So, it is time for policymakers to think deep to see weaknesses and vulnerabilities to deal with this negative global impact. Objectives: 1. To find out the global impact of Covid-19 on the agriculture sector. 2. To analyse the global change in food supply and agricultural product supply. Methods:The primary aim of this study was to look at the global impact of Covid-19 on the agriculture sector and its relevant sectors all around the world. The paper is looking into some relevant matters like how Covid-19 has made an impact on the agricultural supply chain, food supply chain, damage to agricultural export, as well as, effects on farming & farmers. It was also aimed to see how the agricultural income of farmers has been affected by the pandemic along with the effects on the value of the agricultural products. The overall food system of the world is dependent on the agriculture sector, and if things would be out of order in this sector, it was obvious to have an impact on other relevant sectors. So, the paper has taken a comprehensive review of literature based on recent research studies and data generated after the beginning of Covid-19 way back in December 2019. It is important to mention here that a lot of research data has been generated in the last year regarding the negative impact of Covid-19 on human life in so many ways. A lot of debate is based around the concepts of the social and economic impact of Covid-19, so this paper has dedicated its focus to reviewing the literature with regards to the agriculture sector. This study is based on a qualitative research design, where a literature review is used to collect information, and then making analysis to come up with some useful information to conclude findings. Results:Growing nations, fifteen from Africa followed by ten from Latin America, six from Oceania, and four from Asia, are the most susceptible to modifications that happened in the supply shocks in recent times. It concludes that the contemporary pandemic is likely to cause transitory food insecurity across such prone nations. Conclusions: They need to find alternative ways to keep things on the right track even when a pandemic comes harder at them. It is critical to mention here that a lot of negative global impact of Covid-19 on agriculture has been identified in this study;still, there is no systematic evidence and reasons to look at real-time data and results. So, policymakers should be closely looking at these systems and policy gaps to ensure they are better prepared next time. When enough dosage of the vaccine will be available for the masses, and this hard period will be over, it would be a time for policymakers and think tanks to sit together, review their weak points, and come up with a strong policy with the right direction to keep the world safe from such kind of pandemic in the future.