The Effects of the COVID-19 Pandemic on Food Security in Rural and Urban Settlements in Benin: Do Allotment Gardens Soften the Blow?

Abstract

A Rapid Food Security Appraisal among 240 rural and urban dwellers in southern Benin was conducted, using univariate and bivariate analyses, to evaluate the effects of the imposed COVID-19 ‘cordon sanitaire’ on food consumption patterns. As this is one of the first empirical studies on the COVID-19 food security nexus, we found that the raging pandemic has affected the food security pillars (availability, accessibility, utilization, and stability) in both rural and urban areas, within and outside the cordon sanitaire. The steepest decline was observed among respondents who live inside the cordon sanitaire, where rural producers and urban inhabitants without access to allotment gardens were hit hard. Increased food prices, disruptions in food logistics, and inability to work due to movement restrictions were most frequently indicated as reasons for the decline. Access to allotment gardens effectively supported households in mitigating the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic on the food crisis.

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“…In some weeks, the association between distance to the park and step count change was also present for younger women, while there were no associations for younger or older males. Houessou, Cassee, and Sonneveld (2021) , Benin Adults and older adults (240, 38.9 ± 11.5, 45%, n.a.) September–October 2020 Observational, cross-sectional, quantitative, online survey Investigate the role of allotment gardens in food security Gardens Access to a garden Food security Rapid Food Security Appraisal (RFSA) Access to allotment gardens effectively supported households in mitigating the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic on the food crisis.…”