Food system disruption: initial livelihood and dietary effects of COVID-19 on vegetable producers in India

Abstract

Disruption to food systems and impacts on livelihoods and diets have been brought into sharp focus by the COVID-19 pandemic. We aimed to investigate effects of this multi-layered shock on production, sales, prices, incomes and diets for vegetable farmers in India as both producers and consumers of nutrient-dense foods. We undertook a rapid telephone survey with 448 farmers in 4 states, in one of the first studies to document the early impacts of the pandemic and policy responses on farming households. We find that a majority of farmers report negative impacts on production, sales, prices and incomes. Over 80% of farms reported some decline in sales, and over 20% of farms reported devastating declines (sold almost nothing). Price reductions were reported by over 80% of farmers, and reductions by more than half for 50% of farmers. Similarly, farm income reportedly dropped for 90% of farms, and by more than half for 60%. Of surveyed households, 62% reported disruptions to their diets. A majority of farm households reported reduced ability to access the most nutrient-dense foods. Around 80% of households reported ability to protect their staple food consumption, and the largest falls in consumption were in fruit and animal source foods other than dairy, in around half of households. Reported vegetable consumption fell in almost 30% of households, but vegetables were also the only food group where consumption increased for some, in around 15% of households. Our data suggest higher vulnerability of female farmers in terms of both livelihoods and diet, and differential effects on smaller and larger farms, meaning different farms may require different types of support in order to continue to function. Farms reported diverse coping strategies to maintain sales, though often with negative implications for reported incomes. The ability to consume one's own produce may be somewhat protective of diets when other routes to food access fail. The impacts of COVID-19 and subsequent policy responses on both livelihoods and diets in horticultural households risk rolling back the impressive economic and nutrition gains India has seen over the past decade. Food systems, and particularly those making available the most nutrient-dense foods, must be considered in ongoing and future government responses.

Determinants of household food security and dietary diversity during the COVID-19 pandemic in Bangladesh

“…Notably, 45•3 % and 61 % of the respondents reported that they did not get the same quantity or type of food as they did prior to COVID-19, respectively. These findings are similar to a study in India where 62 % of respondents reported that their diet was disrupted due to COVID-19 (29) . Disrupted production and distribution of food due to COVID-19 have clear consequences such as decreased food diversity (29,33) .…”

“…These findings are similar to a study in India where 62 % of respondents reported that their diet was disrupted due to COVID-19 (29) . Disrupted production and distribution of food due to COVID-19 have clear consequences such as decreased food diversity (29,33) . In addition, increased food prices (94 %) due to COVID-19 decrease dietary diversity to a large extent, which has been found in previous studies pre-COVID-19 (5) .…”

“…Another recent study revealed that 65•35 % and 74•68 % of wage earners had no earning source and did not receive a salary during COVID-19 (28) . A study in India during the COVID-19 reported that 60 % of surveyed farms' income dropped by half (29) . This precarious situation might play a significant role behind food insecurity in a low-resource, high-agriculture country like Bangladesh.…”

“…In light of the COVID-19 pandemic, a new set of challenges for households to maintain a healthy and varied diet have arisen (10) . Only a handful of studies have explored food security, food system disruption and dietary diversity in the USA (11), China (12), India (29) and Bangladesh (13), during the COVID-19 pandemic. A recent study by Adams et al noted that the number of families from the USA reporting 'very low' scores for food security increased by 20 % from data prior to COVID-19 (11) .…”

COVID-19 impacts on agriculture and food systems in Nepal: Implications for SDGs

“…Availability of and access to vegetables, fruits and other nutrient-dense foods were limited, and whatever came to the market, it was sold without cleaning following safety and sanitization standards. Harris et al (2020) report similar situation in India. Foods distributed as relief package consisted only rice and pulse, and, as reported by authors working at the grassroots, it was often found to be contaminated, decayed, or of sub-standard quality.…”