Impacts of COVID-19 on Diverse Farm Systems in Tanzania and South Africa

Abstract

Emerging information on the interactions between the COVID-19 pandemic and global food systems have highlighted how the pandemic is accentuating food crises across Africa. Less clear, however, are how the impacts differ between farming systems. Drawing on 50 key informant interviews with farmers, village leaders and extension officers in South Africa and Tanzania, we identify the effects of COVID-19 and associated measures to curb the spread of the disease on farming production systems, the coping mechanisms adopted by farmers, and explore their longer-term plans for adaptation. We focus on a diverse range of production systems, from small-scale mixed farming systems in Tanzania to large-scale corporate farms in South Africa. Our findings highlight how COVID-19 restrictions have interrupted the supply chains of agricultural inputs and commodities, increasing the storage time for produce, decreasing income and purchasing power, and reducing labour availability. Farmers’ responses were heterogeneous, with highly diverse small-scale farming systems and those less engaged with international markets least affected by the associated COVID-19 measures. Large-scale farmers were most able to access capital to buffer short-term impacts, whereas smaller-scale farms shared labour, diversified to subsistence produce and sold assets. However, compounded shocks, such as recent extreme climate events, limited the available coping options, particularly for smaller-scale and emerging farmers. The study highlights the need to understand the characteristics of farm systems to better equip and support farmers, particularly in contexts of uncertainty. We propose that policy actions should focus on (i) providing temporary relief and social support and protection to financially vulnerable stakeholders, (ii) job assurance for farmworkers and engaging an alternative workforce in farming, (iii) investing in farming infrastructure, such as storage facilities, digital communication tools and extension services, and (iv) supporting diversified agroecological farming systems.

Food Insecurity and Health Outcomes Other than Malnutrition in Southern Africa: A Descriptive Systematic Review

“…A study by Rosenberg et al [58] on the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on labour markets and economies of 16 southern African countries found that the COVID-19 pandemic was associated with increased job loss risk specifically in Angola, South Africa and Zimbabwe. These studies suggested the need to provide social and economic support to the most vulnerable groups [59][60][61] as well as the need to rethink future actions towards global food security, since COVID-19 greatly affected all its four pillars [56,59]. Furthermore, FI in urban areas is largely an outcome of income poverty often accompanied by lack of secure employment, but also includes living conditions and inconsistent access to water, sanitation, electricity and other resources that shape households' food utilization capacity [62].…”

Effect of COVID-19 Pandemic on Food Systems and Determinants of Resilience in Indigenous Communities of Jharkhand State, India: A Serial Cross-Sectional Study

“…They are wellpositioned to ensure continuity in food supplies amidst complex logistical and transport issues ( Haga, 2020 ; Lopez-Ridaura et al, 2021 ). The use of family labor by smallholder farms may enable them to overcome possible labor shortages in the context of supply chain disruptions with regard to harvesting, getting food to market, and other farm-related activities ( Haga, 2020 ; Tripathi et al, 2021 ). Based on the resilience theory, where diversity is a key socio-ecological determinant of resilience ( Walker and Salt, 2012 ), the food systems of smallholder farmers may have more diverse types of food environments.…”

The impacts of the COVID-19 shock on sustainability and farmer livelihoods in Sri Lanka

“…The mitigation measures have resulted in market closures in India ( Kumar et al, 2021 ), low demand for farm produce in Bangladesh ( Hossain, 2020 ), shortages in agricultural inputs in many countries ( WHO, 2020 ), and labor availability problems for farming activities in Nepal ( Adhikari et al, 2021 ). As a consequence, farmers' incomes and purchasing power have been reduced, leaving farm households financially vulnerable ( Tripathi et al, 2021 ). Studies in India and Bangladesh show that farmers who produce perishable products, such as vegetables, were severely impacted by COVID-19 because of the loss of conventional markets and farmers having little option but to distroy unsold produce ( Adhikari et al, 2021 ; Alam and Khatun, 2021 ).…”

“…Studies in India and Bangladesh show that farmers who produce perishable products, such as vegetables, were severely impacted by COVID-19 because of the loss of conventional markets and farmers having little option but to distroy unsold produce ( Adhikari et al, 2021 ; Alam and Khatun, 2021 ). Impacts such as this have badly affected small scale farmers' incomes and long-term financial security in Tanzania and South Africa ( Tripathi et al, 2021 ). Small scale farmers in many developing countries are struggling to remain financially viable and many are now living in poverty ( Workie et al, 2020 ).…”