IMPACT OF COVID-19 PANDEMIC ON AGRICULTURE, FOOD SECURITY AND LIVELIHOOD SUSTAINABILITY IN NIGERIA

Abstract

The outbreak of novel corona virus (COVID-19) in Wuhan, China in December, 2019 is a big blow to the entire globe. The fact that it has no definite treatment or vaccine makes it a global health crisis. Nigerian government, in an attempt to curtail the spread, locked down the economy through various policies such as social/physical distancing ban on interstate travels, avoiding crowds, closure of hotels, and religious gatherings and other protective practices. In views of that, this study evaluates the impact of COVID-19 on agriculture, food security and livelihood sustainability in Nigeria. This study adopted a method based on scenarios and make use of rapid respond survey to elicit additional information. This is because it is difficult to quantify the real impact as a result of uncertainty and rapid evolving nature of the pandemic. The finding clearly revealed that agriculture, food security and livelihood were adversely affected. The study concludes to recommend provision of loans to various agribusinesses with generous interest rate and payback period, collaboration by the government to maintain international trade and the need for international monetary agencies to provide debt-relief services for Nigeria’s economy.