The Impact of Livelihood Assets on the Food Security of Farmers in Southern Iran during the COVID-19 Pandemic.

Masoud Yazdanpanah,Stefan Sieber,Katharina Löhr,Tahereh Zobeidi,Maryam Tajeri Moghadam,Moslem Savari

doi:10.3390/ijerph18105310

Abstract

The impact of COVID-19 on farmers’ livelihoods and food security is a key concern in rural communities. This study investigates the impacts of the livelihood assets on the food security of rural households during the COVID-19 pandemic and determines those factors related to food security. The population of this study includes rural households in Dashtestan county, Bushehr province, in southern Iran. Based on the Krejcie and Morgan sampling table, 293 households were selected using the convenience sampling method. To measure food security, the American standard index and ordinal regression are used to analyze the factors. The results of the food security situation show highly precarious and food insecure situations among the studied rural households. The regression analysis shows that the most important assets affecting the food security of rural households under COVID-19 are financial, psychological, physical, and human assets, respectively. The results can help rural development planners and policymakers to improve both livelihoods and food security in rural communities, not just during the COVID-19 pandemic, but also in its aftermath.

Highlights

The COVID-19 crisis is primarily viewed as an unprecedented public health challenge
This study investigates the impacts of livelihood assets on the food security of rural households during the COVID-19 pandemic and determines those factors related to food security
This study evaluates the relationship between livelihood assets and food security during the COVID-19 pandemic in rural areas of Dashtestan county, Bushehr province, southern Iran

Summary

Introduction

The COVID-19 crisis is primarily viewed as an unprecedented public health challenge. While it is not as deadly as the H1N1 flu epidemic, it is unprecedented in the rapid transmission of viral agents from one human to another worldwide. It is profoundly and widely affecting socio-economic activity, work life, food systems, and many other sectors. As it has wiped out or disrupted various jobs, and as of December 2020, put almost half of the world’s 3.3 billion workforce at risk of losing their livelihoods. Many breadwinners will lose their jobs, and in the worst scenario, get sick and die [3].

Results

Discussion

Conclusion