Implementation of COVID-19 Control Measures: Effect on Fertilizer Supply and Soil Fertility in Africa
Date
2021-07
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
Academic Journals
Abstract
The unexpected outbreak of novel COVID-19 in late 2019 and continual spread across the world has
disrupted the agricultural value chain. The World Health Organization (WHO) prescribed border closure,
lockdown, social distancing, wearing a mask, and handwashing to combat the pandemic. These control
measures, especially the closure of borders, have affected the importation and supply of fertilizer for
crop production. The current study presents potential expectations for the adverse effects of
coronavirus pandemic on fertilizer supply and application, soil fertility, and crop yield. The study
indicates that the effect of the COVID-19 pandemic has made the delivery of fertilizers to farmers very
difficult. Hence, the application of fertilizer on time by farmers was problematic. It was also discovered
that the COVID-19 control measure enforced can delay crop planting on time and the use of optimum
quality and quantity of fertilizer. Therefore, crop yield will be affected and the quantity of crop produced
will be reduced.
Description
Keywords
COVID-19 pandemic, Fertilizer application, Impact assessment, Sustainable production, Value chain