Assessing the Impacts of COVID 19 on Livestock Production, Market Value Chain and Health Practices at Selected Districts of East Wollega Zone, Ethiopia

Abstract

Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) caused by a newly discovered strain of coronavirus (SARS-CoV-2) around the end of December 2019, has had a significant impact on many sectors at global, regional and national levels, including the livestock sector. 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 crisis on livestock farming practices, market value chain, animal health care services and human perception towards consumption of livestock products in selected districts of East Wollega zone. Small scale farmers, abattoirs workers, consumers, private sectors involved in the production, processing and distribution of livestock products, hotel owners and veterinarians were purposively selected for this study. According to the present survey the pandemic's has had negative impact on livestock production, market value chain and animal health care practices. Based on the survey 365 (91.25%) respondents agreed as the pandemic was the major challenge on livestock farming practices. The assessment shows that COVID 19 created worst 270 (67.5%) and high impact 75 (18.75%) while about 17 (4%) respondents said the disease has little impact. The major reason 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 study 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). With regard to consumer perception there was low demand for livestock products such as meat and dairy products and about 164 (41%) respondents were avoiding the consumption of animal-sourced foods mainly due to the perceived disease risk. Regarding animal health services, about 89.75% (365/400) respondents agreed as COVID 19 has indirect impact on the health of animals. The most important animal health constraints during this pandemic were unusual preventive practices such as vaccination and deworming, scarcity of drugs at veterinary clinic, low number of veterinarians and inability to cover cost of drugs and personnel. The present study suggest that the pandemic's impact on the livestock production, product supply chain and animal health services might be continue which will have significant effect on the sustainability of livestock production systems and contribution of livestock subsectors on the house hold and national economy and global food security. It is therefore, essential that the government and other concerned body should give attention to the livestock sector to mitigate the impacts of the disease.