Impacts of COVID-19 on agricultural activities and food security: the case of the Republic of Benin

Abstract

An analysis of the impact of the COVID-19 crisis on agricultural activities and the food security of populations in Benin has been carried out. The objective of the study is to compare the level of agricultural production during the period preceding the COVID-19 pandemic with that of the years 2020 and 2021. The methodological approach adopted boils down to the collection, compilation and qualitative analysis of data from the publication of statistics from the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), the National Institute of Statistics and Economic Analysis (INSAE) as well as the study reports of the Ministry in charge of Agriculture, Livestock and Fisheries (MAEP).The study shows that during the 2019-2020 campaign, total agricultural production amounted to 11,423,495 tons. This production fell during the 2020-2021 campaign to 10,797,383 tonnes, thus recording a drop of 5.48%. Are mainly concerned, products such as roots and tubers with a drop of 7.32%, leafy vegetables with a drop of 5.69% as well as fruit vegetables with a drop of 32.24%. This negative dynamic of agricultural production illustrates the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on agricultural activities, thus aggravating food security already weakened by the pangs of climatic disturbances.