COVID-19 IMPACT AND SMALLHOLDER FARMING HOUSEHOLDS: INSIGHTS FROM RURAL NEPAL
Authors: Karah Mechlowitz, Matt Corcoran, Neena Joshi, Sarah L. McKune, Keshav Sah, Bhola Shrestha and Laurie C. Miller
Karah Mechlowitz: Department of Family, Health and Wellbeing, University of Minnesota, St. Paul, MN 55108.
Matt Corcoran: Department of Biostatistics, College of Public Health and Health Professions, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL 32611.
Neena Joshi: Heifer International, Little Rock, AR 72202.
Sarah L. McKune: Department of Environmental and Global Health, College of Public Health and Health Professions, Center for African Studies, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL 32611.
Keshav Sah: Heifer Nepal, Kathmandu, Nepal.
Bhola Shrestha: Heifer Nepal, Kathmandu, Nepal.
Laurie C. Miller: Tufts University School of Medicine, Friedman School of Nutrition Science & Policy, Eliot-Pearson Department of Child Study & Human Development, Tufts University, Medford, MA 02155.
ABSTRACT
Most dairy producers in Nepal are small-holder farmers; the COVID-19 pandemic disrupted the dairy production value chain. This study was embedded in a longitudinal impact evaluation of educational interventions on household diet in rural livestock-holding families. The intervention and other project activities were cancelled due to COVID-19, but data collection continued and repurposed to investigate the relationship between sociodemographic variables and the impact of COVID-19 on small-holder dairy farmers over the lockdowns. Eight questions about COVID-19 impact were added to the mid- and endline household surveys, and a COVID-19 impact score calculated. Regression models examined whether – and to what degree – households reported an impact of COVID-19 on their dairy farming practices. Households with higher animal score (number/type of animals) had significantly increased odds of reporting COVID-19 impact on their dairy farming practices. Survey round was also significant: COVID-19 impact scores at midline were higher than at endline. These results suggest how livestock can act as a buffer in times of crises (e.g., providing animal source foods for the family as well as a source of income) but can also contribute to increased burdens on smallholder farming households as they cope with disruptions across the livestock value chain.
Keywords: Smallholder farming, COVID-19, rural Nepal, dairy production, value-chain