Assessing The Impacts Of COVID 19 On Livestock Production, Market Value Chain And Health Practices In Selected Districts Of East Wollega Zone, Ethiopia

Abstract

COVID-19, caused by a newly discovered strain of coronavirus (SARS-CoV-2), has had a significant impact on many sectors at the global, regional, and national levels, including the livestock sector. Study Methods: A questionnaire survey and observational study were carried out from September 2020 to November 2020 with the aim of assessing the impacts of COVID 19 on livestock farming practices, market chain, consumption of animal products, and animal health care services in selected districts of East Wollega zone. Small scale farmers, abattoir workers, consumers, and private sectors involved in the production, processing, and distribution of livestock products, and veterinarians were purposively selected for this study. Based on the survey, 365 (91.25%) respondents agreed as the pandemic was the major challenge to livestock farming practices. The assessment shows that COVID 19 created worst 270 (67.5%) and high impact 75 (18.75%). The major reasons mentioned were measures taken by the government such as lockdown, economic decline, low number of manpower due to calls to stay at home, and social distance. Observational studies indicated that dairy shops, meat shops, and local abattoirs, hotels, and restaurants were totally/partially closed, especially during the first 6 months of the pandemic. The average monthly income from livestock and their products showed about 60.93% shortfalls (from 1,130,500 birr to 688,800 birr). Regarding consumer perception, there was low demand for livestock products mainly due to the perceived disease risk. The most important animal health constraints during this pandemic were unusual preventive practices such as lack of vaccination and deworming, scarcity of drugs at the veterinary clinic, low number of veterinarians and inability to cover the cost of drugs and personnel. The present study suggests that the pandemic's impact on the livestock production, product supply chain and animal health services might be continue, which will have a significant effect on the sustainability of livestock production systems and the contribution of livestock subsectors on the household and national economy and global food security. It is therefore, essential that the government and other concerned bodies should give attention to the livestock sector to mitigate the impacts of the disease.