Original Research Article
Year: 2020 | Month: April-June | Volume: 4 | Issue: 2 | Pages: 8-18
A Study on COVID-19 Lockdown Impact on Food, Agriculture, Fisheries and Precautionary Measures to Avoid COVID-19 Contamination
Bilal Ahmad Bhat1, Shaziya Gull2, Gousia Jeelani3, S.N.Z.Geelani4, Naveena Nazim5, Humaira Jasmin Tak6, Mehreen Manzoor5, Shazia Riyaz2, Sumaira Rashid7
1Division of Social Science, Faculty of Fisheries, SKUAST-Kashmir, J&K
2Department of Zoology, University of Kashmir, Hazratbal Srinagar-190006, J&K
3Centre of Research for Development, University of Kashmir, Hazratbal Srinagar-190006, J&K
4Faculty of Forestry, Benihama, Watlar, Ganderbal -191201, SKUAST-Kashmir, J&K
5College of Temperate Sericulture-Mirgund, SKUAST-Kashmir, Post Box No.674, GPO-Srinagar Kashmir, J&K
6Department of Law, University of Kashmir, Hazratbal Srinagar-190006, J&K
7Division of fish genetics and Biotechnology, Faculty of Fisheries, SKUAST-Kashmir, J&K
Corresponding Author: Bilal Ahmad Bhat
Published: May 19, 2020
ABSTRACT
The COVID-19 epidemic which is spreading quickly is no longer a regional issue, it is an international concern calling for a global response as both lives and livelihoods are at risk from this pandemic. We are sure that it will eventually retreat, but we don’t know how quickly this will happen and affect elements of both food supply and demand significantly. The Border closures, quarantines, and market, supply chain and trade disruptions could restrict people’s access to sufficient/diverse and nutritious sources of food, especially in countries hit hard by the virus or already affected by high levels of food insecurity. To develop evidence-driven strategies to reduce adverse impacts of COVID-19 on food, agriculture and fisheries research data are needed. The main purpose of current study was to access the impact of COVID-19 lockdown on Food, Agriculture and Fisheries. The results of our study based on online survey choosing 400 respondents at random from J&K revealed that in response to statements related to the assessment of the impact of COVID-19 lockdown on Food, Agriculture and Fisheries, majority of the respondents (84.5%) agree that vegetable prices and of other eatables increased, 87.5% of respondents revealed that livelihoods are severely impacted, 83.5% of respondents agree that the storage and marketing problem greatly affected the livelihood of fishing community and 88.5% respondents agree that COVID-19 lockdown impacted the air quality. The study reveals that 87.5% reported that they were getting information on coronavirus from news outlets, 63.5% from friends, 46.5% from social media, 28.5% getting information from health organizations, 23.5% from health professionals and 3% from other sources. The study, further revealed that majority of the respondents (87.5%) were practicing social distancing, 71.5% respondents were frequently washing hands with soap and water, 39.5% respondents were wearing face masks, 38.5% respondents were stocking up on essentials, 27.5% respondents were using hand sanitizers, 27% respondents were working from home and 14.5% stocking up on medication. The study also revealed that as guide by WHO and health ministry (87.5%) respondents were practicing social distancing, 71.5% were frequently washing hands with soap and water, 39.5% were wearing face masks, 38.5% were stocking up on essentials, 27.5% were using hand sanitizers, 27% were working from home and 14.5% stocking up on medication. The respondents (52.5%) revealed that they do not believe home remedies can help against the COVID-19, 86% do not believe that coronavirus is less threatening than the flu, 81% do not believe that at present any antibiotic can kill COVID-19 and 46.5% feel very stressed because of COVID-19 threat. The study also revealed that 71.5% respondents believe that COVID-19 lockdown will impact food, 61.5% believe it will impact agriculture and 54.5% believe that it will impact fisheries. In case we are not able to control COVID-19 spread quickly then hunger/poverty threat may be more dangerous than COVID-19 threat. The researchers suggested that policy makers, health providers and religious scholars should provide mental support as is needed at this time to the vulnerable group in J&K as COVID-19 is not going away any time soon. To cope with COVID-19 threat and lockdown stress, we should follow WHO guidelines as well as health ministry. We should keep ourselves busy in physical activities, religious activities and social work to avoid COVID-19 stress.
Keywords: Food; Corona virus; Agriculture; epidemic; precaution; Fisheries; Kashmir; Statistics
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