Impact of Covid-19 on Food and Agriculture in Nepal

In late December 2019, a novel coronavirus (2019-nCoV) was identified as the cause of a significant number of human cases of a respiratory disease in China. The current outbreak was first detected in Wuhan City, which is a major domestic and international economic and transport hub in China. In few months time, the deadly virus has turned the world upside down, and fear has spread faster than the virus, which appears to be highly contagious. The impact of the virus is on each and every sector of the world. However, it's impact in the food and Agriculture has to be taken seriously. Responding to the health emergency is right at the moment, but keeping the food supply chain alive is equally vital.

Nepal is an Agricultural country, but the irony is the production is not self sufficient. We import huge amount of staple food. According to some Agricultural experts, there is no fear of immediate shortage, as Nepal holds three months' stock. But the question is what after three months! There is no any certainty that the virus pandemic  will end in three months. Luckily, only nine positive cases have been reported so far. So, the Government, besides medications, should focus on other factors also, and Food is the one major factor. We can not deny the future possibilities. It is the perfect time to find a  way to feed the nation. We don't know if the pandemic is ending soon or it can go through all summer and in such condition how will the government fulfil the needs of its people. If such condition arises, the exporters will deny to give us the commodity, as they also have to feed their people. According to reports, Russia is considering limiting its grain export due to sudden effect and even Kazakhstan has suspended its export of staple crops and some vegetables until at least April 15. Same case may arise between us and India as we import large amount of rice and our other dealers, indeed.

The agriculture system of our country is not fully commercialized. In many parts, people still do stuffs for their personal consumption only i.e. Subsistence agriculture. So, their Kitchen Garden will sustain them for few more months, hopefully. The major problem is in the big cities like Kathmandu, where the people are city dwellers and they have to buy each and every household goods from market. In village areas people will sort out things even for this whole summer, I guess. The small scale farmers will play a vital role in this regard. As there is lockdown many people are unemployed as some of they might be daily labourers. The threat of not having food stuffs is driven by not having the source of income. The number of people going hungry to bed increases for sure as the face the additional threat of the global pandemic. Similarly, as the economic crisis continues to expand, the wave of unemployment will get bigger and bigger.

Food value chain have to be kept alive to be able to have food available for consumers. Supply chain is  very complex. As there is travel restrictions and quarantine, the reduction in labour forces will lead to low production. In case of Nepal, the seasonal workers from India won't be available due to global pandemic. The post harvest loss will also be noticed. We cannot deny the fact that the food demand will certainly increase and thanks to the rule of economics, the price will be more, so many people cannot afford due to unemployment and they will change their dietary pattern, searching the cheapest form. Prices have declined as the consumers are paying high price yet. The close of hotels and restaurants, tea shops etc is already depressing the milk sale. Meanwhile, the poultry farmers have been badly hit due to misinformation, particularly on social media, that Chickens are the carriers of the  Covid-19. 

Food Supply Chain

Image Credit: Rentokil

What may be the Impacts!

• The most vulnerable population will face increased food insecurity
• Decrease in quality of available food
• People will be under nourished
• Low production
• Lack of seasonal labourers
• Post harvest decline
• Alteration in the sowing and harvesting period
• Lack of seeds, fertilizers and other raw materials
• Disturbance in food supply chain

what to do!

Government:

• The government should issue lockdown that exempt farming operations and the labour shortage problems should be considered.
• The government should keep the supply chain alive which is crucial to food security.
• Promote the trade avoiding import and export restrictions but with proper policy and safety.
• Trend of e-commerce should be increased.
• Farming population must be protected to the extent possible by proper testing.
• Farmers should have access to the markets but with certain protocols.
• Government should properly check the demand and supply of the commodity and surplus can be stocked. 
• Urban agriculture could be shock absorber during disruptions. So make people aware about Urban Agriculture.

Above all this, food safety is important. During the import-export activities, the virus transmission is possible. The transmission may be from either from the  infected person  involved in import-export activities or from other sources. So, It is a big challenge to the every nation how they can maintain the basis food supply without  letting the viral spoilage.

 As a responsible citizen:

•  Grow your own.
• Follow the precautions assigned by government.
• Do not over buy. Think of others too.
• Live and let others live.
• Those who are living in cities google about Urban Agriculture and adopt it.

I think the people will learn a lesson from this difficult situation and be mentally prepared for such casualties to come. 

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