The study evaluated
the effect of Covid-19 pandemic on rice production in South west, Nigeria.
Specifically, the study described the socio-economic characteristics of the
respondents, production levels of rice before and during covid-19 pandemic
and effects of Covid-19 pandemic on rice production. Data were collected
from 240 registered rice farmers in the study area with the aid of
well-structured interview schedule. The data collected were described using
descriptive statistical tools (frequency distribution, percentages and
weighted mean score (WMS) and inferential tools (T-test analysis) were used
to present the results of the findings. The mean age was 42.94 years, mean
year spent in school was 10.29 years, mean household size was 7persons, mean
annual income was ₦1,308,750.00 and mean rice farm size was 4.60
hectares. It was revealed that low income with weighted mean score (WMS=
2.75) was ranked first as the effect of covid-19 pandemic on rice
production. Spoilage of harvested rice with (WMS) of 2.72 was ranked second
while poor/loss of quality of produce with (WMS) of 2.37 was ranked least.
The result of Paired T-test analysis showed that there was significant
difference in the production level of rice before and during covid-19
pandemic (t=13.285, p= 0.001). The study concluded that covid-19 has greatly
affected rice production level in the study area by reducing their
production output.Therefore, the
study recommends that incentive in form of farm inputs such as fertilizers
and seeds should be given to rice farmers during pandemic. Also strict
regulation to exempt farmers from restricted movement during lockdown like
medical personnel should be enforced by relevant security agencies.
Accepted:01/08/2023
Published: 05/08/2023
*Corresponding
Author
Oyetoro John Oyewole
E-mail: jooyetoro@ lautech.edu.ng
Keywords: Covid-19,
Coronavirus, Pandemic, Covid-19 effects, Rice, Rice production level.
INTRODUCTION
The
novel Coronavirus (COVID-19) is a global pandemic with an increasing public
health concern.According to Nigeria
Center for Disease Control NCDC (2020), Coronaviruses are zoonotic, meaning
they are normally transmitted between animals and people. The coronavirus
disease (COVID-19) is caused by a new strain of coronavirus (SARS-CoV-2) that
has not been previously identified in humans. It was first reported to World
Health organization (WHO) on the 31st of December, 2019 in Wuhan, China.
The Federal Ministry of Health confirmed the
first coronavirus disease (COVID-19) case on the 27th of February 2020 in Lagos
State, Nigeria. The case was an Italian citizen, who works in Nigeria and
returned from Milan, Italy to Lagos, Nigeria on the 25th of February, 2020. He
was confirmed by the Virology Laboratory of the Lagos University Teaching
Hospital, part of the Laboratory Network of the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control
(Federal Ministry of Health, 2020). Symptoms of Covid 19 infection include: Cough; Fever; Shivering /shaking (chills); Body pain;
Headache; Sore throat; Recent loss of taste or smell and Difficulty in
breathing/shortness of breath (NCDC, 2020). WHO (2020) reported that COVID-19 pandemic
is an ongoing infection that has spread to over 188 countries globally with
over 245, 984 new cases, 25,602,665 confirmed, and 852,758 deaths as at 2nd
September 2020. However, NCDC (2022) reported that Nigeria recorded 256,711
confirmed cases; 250,158 discharged cases; 3,144 deaths and 3,409 active cases
as at 21 June, 2022.
The Coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic
has wrecked great havoc in many spheres of life, including the educational,
health, economic, and agricultural sectors. To break the transmission chain of
SARS-CoV-2, public health safety measures such as social distancing, regular
hand hygiene, border closure, restrictions on internal movement, and lockdown
were implemented. Some of these measures have however contributed to reduced
economic power, shortage of labor for agricultural production, and huge losses
in the agricultural sector (Ilesanmi et
al, 2021). The effect of COVID-19 on agriculture in Nigeria has been
enormous due to the limited mechanization and high labour intensity in
agriculture in the country. Over one-third (35%) of the country’s total labour
force is employed in the agricultural sector (World Bank, 2020). Idu and
Onyenekwe (2021) suggested that commissioners of agriculture have important
roles to play to help mitigate these negative impacts on agricultural
livelihoods and food systems. These include a push for a bill to integrate
social protection mechanisms into the Nigerian legal framework, lobby for
increased budgetary allocation to the agricultural sector, formulation of good
agricultural policies and provision of adequate infrastructures, organization
of these farmers into farming clusters to help stimulate agglomeration
economies by integrating agricultural value chains and development strategies,
and frameworks and initiatives that will ensure a seamless transition from
emergency response to resilience building.
With COVID-19, the challenges hampering the
attainment of food security in Nigeria could deepen.The impact is already being felt in the form
of rising food prices. As at April 2020, food inflation rose to 15% compared to
14.7% in December 2019 (PwC Nigeria, 2020). When we talk about food inflation,
rice play a key role in Nigeria staple food. Rice is one of the most consumed
staples in Nigeria, with a consumption per capita of 32kg. Significant progress
has been recorded in rice production; rice production in Nigeria reached a peak
of 3.7 million tonnes in 2017. Despite this improvement, comparatively,
Nigeria's rice statistics suggest there is an enormous potential to raise
productivity and increase production. Yields have remained at 2 tonnes per
hectare, which is about half of the average achieved in Asia. In addition, as
population increases, along with rural to urban migration, ensuring food
security in key staples becomes critical.
Nnodim (2020) stated that the effect of the
pandemic on agriculture in Nigeria was very severe because the timing of the
lockdown of the economy due to the outbreak coincided with the planting and
harvesting seasons (March and July) of many crops such as maize, cucumber,
tomatoes, millet, sorghum and rice. Therefore, the shortage of hired labour for
harvesting, resulted in high post-harvest losses by farmers, food shortages in
the market and increased cost of food items. Hence this study is necessitated
to evaluate the effects of covid-19 pandemic on rice production level in South
West, Nigeria. Specifically, the study
describes the socio-economic characteristics of the respondents; production
levels of rice paddy before and during covid-19 pandemic.
MATERIALS
AND METHODS
The
study was carried out in South West, Nigeria. ThezoneismadeupofsixStateswhichare; Ekiti, Ondo, Osun, Ogun, Oyo andLagos. Thearea liesbetweenlongitude20°31′and60°001′ Eastand latitude60°21′and80°371′ North withatotallandareaof 77,818 km (Oluwatosin and
Ojo, 2017). It is majorly a Yoruba speaking area, although there are different
dialects even within the same state. The weather conditions vary between the
two distinct seasons in Nigeria; the rainy season (March - November) and the
dry season (November - February). The dry season is characterized by Harmattan
dust; cold dry winds from the northern deserts which blow into the southern
regions around this time. The study purposely selected Oyo and Ekiti States. Oyo
State covers a total of 28,454 square kilometres of land mass and it is bounded
in the south by Ogun State, in the north by Kwara State, in the west it is
partly bounded by Ogun State and partly by the Republic of Benin, while in the
East by Osun State. The landscape consists of old hard rocks and dome shaped
hills, which rise gently from about 500 meters in the southern part and
reaching a height of about 1,219 metres above sea level in the northern part. It
has 33 local government areas. The climate in the State favours the cultivation
of crops like Maize, Yam, Cassava, Millet, Rice, Plantain, Cocoa tree, Palm
tree and Cashew (Oyo State Investment Public Private Partnership Agency OYSIPA,
2020).
Ekiti State is situated entirely within the
tropics. It is located between longitudes 40°51′ and 50°451′ East
of the Greenwich meridian and latitudes 70°151′ and 80°51′ north of
the Equator. It lies south of Kwara and Kogi State, East of Osun State and
bounded by Ondo State in the East and in the south, with a total land Area of
5887.890sq km. Ekiti State has 16 Local Government Councils.The capital is located at Ado-Ekiti.
Agriculture is the main occupation of the people of Ekiti, and it is the major
source of income for many in the state. Agriculture provides income and
employment for more than 75% of the population of Ekiti State. Some of Ekiti’s
agricultural produce are: Cash crops such as Cocoa, Oil Palm, Kolanut,
Plantain, Bananas, Cashew, Citrus and Timber; Arable /Food Crops such as Rice,
Yam, Cassava, Maize and cowpea (Ekiti State Government, 2021).
The study focused on areas with rice
production concentrations. In Oyo state, Atiba; Afijo and Oyo west local
governments were purposely selected as major producers of rice while in Ekiti
state, Gbonyin, Ijero and Ekiti West Local Government Areas were selected based
on data provided by Olayinka and Alfred (2019) as major producers of rice. List
of rice farmers from their respective associations in each of the selected
local governments were obtained. In Oyo state, 20% of 510 respondents were
selected while in Ekiti state, 20% of the 690 respondents were selected to give
102 and 138 respondents respectively. This gives a sample size of 240 rice
farmers. The dependent variable is overall effect of covid-19 pandemic on rice
production level. It was measured by asking the respondents the output of paddy
rice in kilogramme harvested before and during the covid 19- pandemic. Paired T-test
analysis was used to establish significant difference in the production level
of rice.
During the period of COVID-19 pandemic, non-availability of labor has
really affected and interrupted some harvesting and distribution activities of
rice. There were disruptions in supply of farm inputs because of poor
transportation and lockdown. Married farmers have increased chance of adapting
easily to COVID-19 than others since they are likely to have access to family
labour.
The table 1 also
shows that mean years spent in formal schooling is 10.29 years. The finding implies
that farmers were literate which is expected to increase and improve their
knowledge on various approaches to practices in preventing new strains of
coronavirus. It was revealed that majority (71.3%) of the respondents were
Christians, few (23.8%) were Muslim while only few (5.0%) were Traditionalists.
This implies that religion is not a barrier to rice production.
The table further
shows that the mean household size was 7 persons; the result shows that farmers
had medium household size. The lockdown created both a shortage of farm labor.
The implication is that they could be useful for farm labor.
Table 1 also
indicates the mean annual farm income from rice production was ₦1,308,750.00. The finding implies that the
farmers had a relatively medium farm income. This is true as some indigenous
and non-indigenous approaches to COVID-19 pandemic strategies are costly. The
table further shows that majority (76.3%) makes use of both hired and family
labor, which makes their work easier and faster. It also makes them monitor the
activities going-on in the farm. This table further reveals the mean farm size
of 4.60ha. This finding implies that the farmers in the area were mainly medium
scale operators.
Table
1: Distribution of respondents according to their socio-economic characteristics
Socio-economic
characteristics
Frequency
Percentage
(%)
Mean (n=240)
Age (years)
<30
31-40
41-50
51-60
61 and above
30
66
87
48
9
12.7
27.7
36.4
20.3
3.9
42.94
Sex
Male
Female
165
75
68.8
31.2
Marital
Status
Single
Widow
Separated
Married
9
6
9
216
3.8
2.5
3.8
90.0
Education (years spent in school)
No formal
education
1-6
7-12
13 and above
3
90
81
66
1.3
37.6
33.8
27.6
10.29
Religion
Christian
Islam
Traditional
171
57
12
71.3
23.8
5.0
Household size (persons)
< 5
6-10
11 and above
90
129
21
37.6
53.9
8.8
7
Annual income (N)
<500,000
501,000-1,000,000
1,000,001-1,500,000
1,500,001-2,000,000
2,000,001-3,000,000
3,000,001 above
39
57
60
60
18
6
16.4
24.0
25.3
25.1
7.7
2.5
1308750.00
Source of labor
Self
Family
Hired
Both hired and family
3s
15
39
183
1.3
6.3
16.3
76.3
Rice farm size (Ha)
< 5
6-10
11 and above
177
57
6
73.9
23.9
2.5
4.60
Sources: Computed from Field Survey Data, 2021
Effects of Covid-19
pandemic on rice production
Table 2 shows the effects of covid-19 pandemic on
rice production by the respondents. It was indicated
that low income with (WMS = 2.75) was ranked 1st. This means income is a crucial factor that
influences rice production. Most of the rice farmers were unable to get
necessary production input resources in during COVID-19 pandemic which was
attributed to the sudden rise of rice input resources due to lockdown and food
shortage. Poor extension contacts, high cost of labor, poor access to farm
credit and no-COVID-19 pandemic palliative by the government were the complaints
given by the rice farmers. The high cost of farm inputs can also be attributed
to this, that is, the acquisition of necessary production equipment was
difficult. They may not only be costly but may also appear scarce for poor
farmers particularly during the period of the pandemic.
Spoilage of harvested rice with (WMS) of 2.72 was ranked second. Restrictions also caused post-harvest losses, unsold and rotting
food. Similarly, planting and harvesting season was pending for rice farming,
shortage of labor and poor access to farm credit led to production losses and
shortages in the market.
Poor access to market with (WMS) of 2.60 was ranked third. This indicates that due to the restriction of movement, the farmers
did not have access to market. COVID-19 pandemic was related to transportation
restrictions, which makes it particularly difficult for sellers and buyers to
have access to the market. Poor/loss of quality of produce with (WMS) of 2.37
was ranked least. Poor storage facilities and attitude of farmers to storage
techniques could cause loss of quality of rice produce.
Source: Computed from Field Survey Data, 2021* Multiple response
Paired
T-test analysis showing the significant difference between the production level
(Kg)
of rice before and during the pandemic
Table 3 revealed that
there is significant difference in the production level of rice before and
during the pandemic (t = 13.285 p= 0.001). It implies that Covid-19 pandemic
has negatively affected their production output, resulting in a change in their
level of production.
Table 3: Paired T-test analysis showing the
difference between production level (Kg) of rice production level before and
after COVID-19 pandemic
Variable
Mean
T-value
Significance
Remarks
Production level before Covid-19
7409.3
13.285
0.001
Significant
Production level during
Covid-19 pandemic
4154.38
Source:
Computed from Field Survey Data, 2021
CONCLUSION AND
RECOMMENDATIONS
The study concluded based on the findings that Covid-19 pandemic has
negatively affected rice production output, resulting in a change in their
level of production in the study area and therefore recommended that:
·Incentives in the form of farm inputs such as
fertilizers and seeds should be given to rice farmers during pandemic.
·The regulation to strictly exempt farmers during
lockdown like medical personnel should be enforced by relevant agencies.
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Cite
this Article: Oyetoro, JO; Jolayemi, JO; Afolayan, FO; Yahaya, A
(2023). Effects of Covid-19 Pandemic on Rice Production Levels in South West,
Nigeria. Greener Journal of Social
Sciences, 13(1): 15-20.
