COVID-19 lockdown: implication for food security

Abstract

PurposeThe purpose of the paper is to sought to know the implication of COVID-19 lockdown for food security in NigeriaDesign/methodology/approachThe study examined implication of COVID-19 lockdown for food security. The cross sectional survey research design was employed. Information was elicited from respondents through the social medium (Facebook). The question response format of the instrument was of the five-point Likert scale type. Research data were analysed using one sample t-test and least squares (regression).FindingsThe results show that COVID-19 lockdown can significantly constrain farm labour, transportation and security, while food security can be threatened by insufficient labour, transportation, farmers' morale and farm coordinationResearch limitations/implicationsA major limitation was the restriction to only online data collection method owing to the researcher's inability to administer the instrument physically as a result of the lockdown. This had an implication on randomisation.Social implicationsLong stay of people at home and away from farm activities will threaten food security on the long run and thus, precipitate social vices due to the attendant hunger and deprivationOriginality/valueIn empirical examination of the impact of COVID-19 pandemic lockdown on food security, thereby providing statistical evidence that will be useful in the sensitisation of stakeholders on the need to thread on the part of caution to avoid the possible consequences of restricting farmers' operations through the COVID-19 lockdown.