Effects of Covid-19 on Agriculture in Southern Kaduna State of Nigeria

Abstract:

This paper examined the effects of Covid-19 on agriculture in Southern Kaduna, Kaduna State, Nigeria, with a view to providing information for sustainable agricultural production even in the presence of any epidemic of disease. Data for this study was obtained through questionnaire survey, in-depth interview and direct field observation. The result indicates that the negative effects of Covid-19 on agriculture are as follows: increase in the prices of seedlings, fertilizers, herbicides/insecticides, increase in the cost of farm labour, losses in farm produce, prevent buyers from buying farm produce, depreciate the cost of poultry and dairy products, and difficulties accessing veterinary services and animal feed. The result also indicates that Covid-19 has positive effects on agriculture as follows: it led to the production of more crops, led more people into agriculture, led to increase in the prices farm produce, led to the cultivation of more lands, increase in the purchase of farm tools, increase in the supply of food items into the market, forces many people in the city to involve in agriculture, increase in the purchase of farm inputs and lastly, it forced many people who are not farmers into agriculture. It is recommended that soft loan be giving to farmers so as to encourage them to boost food production in the country, distribution of good medical facilities and personnel and free treatment to the affected persons in the rural areas to improve their healthy conditions and finally, sensitization and training of farmers on modern methods of agriculture that will involve social distancing to improve the health conditions of the farmers.