Authors : Shimelis Regasa, Kefala Taye, Oli Wakeyo, Birhanu Mamo and Abera Jabessa
Abstract: This survey is conducted to assess the impact of COVID-19 on Animal Production and Product Processing in Arsi Zone, Oromia, Southeastern Ethiopia. The data for the survey were collected from April to June, 2020. The study explores the impact of COVID-19 on Animal Production and Product Processing of farm households in the three Agro-ecological zones of the study area. Data were collected from 180households across the study area in 2020 using a systematic random sampling design. The data were collected from six districts of Arsi Zone from a total of 26 districts representing the three agro-ecological zones (highland, midland and lowland) by semi-structured questionaries and observations from farmer’s activities to see the impact of COVID-19 on animal production and product processing. The survey indicated that in all agroecological zones, the pandemic has an impact on Livestock production activities, partly on purchased animal feed sources, inputs on animal breeding materials and AI service and caused market disruptions in the study area. Therefore, if this livestock production as part of agriculture and market disruptions is likely to continue, there would be food insecurity and life challenges for livestock and humans also if rapid measures are not taken to control the pandemic and even to continue agricultural activities with intensive care during this outbreak, since, it occurs during the farming season in Ethiopia in which most of the agricultural activities are undertaken.
Shimelis Regasa, Kefala Taye, Oli Wakeyo, Birhanu Mamo and Abera Jabessa, 2020. The Impacts of COVID-19 on Animal Production and Product Processing in Arsi Zone, Oromia, Ethiopia. Agricultural Journal, 15: 185-189.