Covid-19 Led Vulnerability of Vegetable Production and Marketing: Insights from Marginal Farmers of Odisha

Abstract

The global economic crisis due to COVID 19 pandemic has revealed how the supply chain of agricultural marketing has been devastated in general and vegetable farming in particular. So, this paper tried to examine the impact of COVID-19 on the vulnerability of vegetable farmers in Odisha. To execute the study, data were collected from vegetable growers through a direct personal interview method. Data were analyzed by using descriptive statistics and a multi-variable regression model to evaluate the vulnerability of farmers as well as to identify the factors affecting the extent of vulnerability. Survey findings indicate that 71 per cent of farmers were able to sell 60-80 per cent of their harvested product in the market and the rest products were wasted. The prime reasons for the losses are lockdown, lack of buyers in the markets and fear of coronavirus spreading among consumers as well as producers. The empirical study is evident that significant factors such as production quantum, land cultivated, and having personal vehicle have negative impact on the vulnerability extent of farmers. The study got its originality, as it considers marginal farmers with both rented and owned forms of land holdings.