The impact of Covid-19 on black farmers in South Africa

Abstract

Covid-19 is impacting on food systems and food security around the world, including in South Africa, revealed most starkly in rising food prices and increasing food insecurity. Debates on what kind of food system we need to respond to this crisis remain unresolved and lacking in a good understanding of the impacts of Covid-19 on farmers who are key actors in food systems. This article contributes to these debates by revealing the experiences of black fresh produce farmers in South Africa since Covid-19 arrived in the country and the government responded with a range of emergency regulations. This is based on in-depth research with 40 market-orientated black small-and medium-scale farmers. Giving particular attention to black farmers is essential in South Africa given the high levels of continued wealth and racial inequalities. The study has found that, despite overall growth in the agricultural sector, these farmers are facing many challenges and receive inadequate support. The outcomes of Covid-19 related impacts include reductions in production and incomes as well as job losses. If not addressed there could be long-term negative consequences that undermine the food system and reinforce existing inequalities. A holistic food system approach, better informed by an understanding of black farmers and the networks they are part of, will be valuable to finding solutions.

Do COVID-19 and Food Insecurity Influence Existing Inequalities between Women and Men in Africa?

“…While only two points were given concerning impacts to women, they were related to loss of employment and therefore a critical component of food security (e.g., Nigerian fish businesses went from supporting 20% to 2% female employment between February—pre-pandemic and April; however, males were also impacted, but to a lesser extent, with total man workers dropping to 20% from 50% during same period). In South Africa, interviews ( n = 40; women = 22, men = 18) provided insight into women vs. men farmers [ 29 ]. While in general there were no formal reports about differences in gender, the study found that only women farmers lost access to land ( n = 2), and five out of six farmers who had to halt production completely were women (two women farmers voluntarily stopped work to stay at home to care for family).…”

Covid-19 Impact on Agricultural Farmer’s Social, Physical, and Mental Health: A Literature Review

“…Problems in the production and sale of agricultural products have an impact on the condition of farmers both in terms of finance, family and health. The results of other studies also found that farmers experienced many challenges due to the COVID-19 pandemic and did not get optimal support from the government (Nchanjia & Lutomia, 2021;Wegerif, 2021). Five studies (Bossenbroek & Ftouhi, 2021;Jaacks et al, 2021;Kulkarni et al, 2021;Landry et al, 2021;Lusk & Chandra, 2021) described about farmers on their social life from the production process (inputs, harvest and sell), accessing incentives, finding workers and lower income with high risk of disease.…”

Risk Factors of Symptomatic COVID-19 in Samtse District, Bhutan

“…A study in the US found that the farmers were at higher risk of contracting COVID-19 ( 38 ). This has led to a reduction in farm produce across the world ( 39 , 40 ). This is difficult to ascertain in Bhutan due to a lack of data.…”