INSIGHT
Agriculture Providing a Livelihood Buffer During COVID-19
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OVID-19 has not been as widespread in Africa as in many other countries, but it has felt the economic impact of the pandemic on a wide scale. For example, many of Africa’s trading partners experienced lockdowns that prevented international trade. Africans have also faced job loss and rising costs for food as demand outweighs supply across the continent. In response to these overwhelming challenges, many individuals have turned to agriculture to provide a livelihood buffer during COVID-19. Challenges for African Farmers The African continent contains 60% of the world’s arable land, but reliance on supportive weather patterns and political challenges means much of the land’s potential remains untapped. For example, the recent locust problem in East Africa meant some farmers lost everything. International trade in the African agriculture industry typically exports about $35 billion per
10 | January - February 2022
year. However, around 65% of Africans are subsistence farmers. Many of these families live below the poverty line and are hit especially hard by natural or socioeconomic changes, such as droughts or political conflict. Before the pandemic, around 650-670 million people in Africa were already facing food insecurity. According to an analysis by McKinsey and Co., about 400-460 million Africans are facing a loss of income. As many as 150 million Africans could lose their jobs due to the pandemic. Many Africans are turning to agriculture to support themselves and their families in response to these challenges. COVID-19 is drastically changing the African agricultural landscape, affecting trade within the continent and influencing millions of people to find innovative ways to make ends meet. Changing Agricultural Trends Since the beginning of the pandemic, the number of African households that rely on farming
for their livelihood has increased across the continent. According to a study by the World Bank, 76% of Nigerian households were raising crops or livestock before the pandemic. However, this number has increased to 84% over the last two years. Participation in agriculture is measured by comparing the number of Africans entering the industry with those exiting. According to the same survey, more urban than rural households have started farming during the pandemic, demonstrating the growing need for city dwellers to find additional resources for their livelihood. Crop and livestock farming can be expensive, and reports show that rural areas are increasingly turning to crops as the most affordable option. However, city dwellers are understandably choosing livestock as a better fit for their resources. Even before the pandemic started to interfere with trade and farmers’ access to agricultural
