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Forskningsartikel2021Vetenskapligt granskadÖppen tillgång

COVID-19: From health crises to food security anxiety and policy implications

Chiwona-Karltun, Linley; Amuakwa-Mensah, Franklin; Wamala-Larsson, Caroline; Amuakwa-Mensah, Salome; Abu Hatab, Assem; Made, Nolwandle; Taremwa, Nathan Kanuma; Melyoki, Lemayon; Rutashobya, Lettice Kinunda; Madonsela, Thulisile; Lourens, Marna; Stone, Wendy; Bizoza, Alfred R.

Sammanfattning

Like the rest of the world, African countries are reeling from the health, economic and social effects of COVID-19. The continent's governments have responded by imposing rigorous lockdowns to limit the spread of the virus. The various lockdown measures are undermining food security, because stay at home orders have among others, threatened food production for a continent that relies heavily on agriculture as the bedrock of the economy. This article draws on quantitative data collected by the GeoPoll, and, from these data, assesses the effect of concern about the local spread and economic impact of COVID-19 on food worries. Qualitative data comprising 12 countries south of the Sahara reveal that lockdowns have created anxiety over food security as a health, economic and human rights/well-being issue. By applying a probit model, we find that concern about the local spread of COVID-19 and economic impact of the virus increases the probability of food worries. Governments have responded with various efforts to support the neediest. By evaluating the various policies rolled out we advocate for a feminist economics approach that necessitates greater use of data analytics to predict the likely impacts of intended regulatory relief responses during the recovery process and post-COVID-19.

Nyckelord

COVID-19; Feminist economics; Food security; Policy; Social protection; Sub-Saharan Africa

Publicerad i

AMBIO: A Journal of the Human Environment
2021, Volym: 50, nummer: 4, sidor: 794-811

      SLU författare

      • Globala målen

      Säkerställa hälsosamma liv och främja välbefinnande för alla i alla åldrar
      Avskaffa hunger, uppnå tryggad livsmedelsförsörjning och förbättrad nutrition samt främja ett hållbart jordbruk
      Främja fredliga och inkluderande samhällen för hållbar utveckling, tillhandahålla tillgång till rättvisa för alla samt bygga upp effektiva, och inkluderande institutioner med ansvarsutkrävande på alla nivåer

      UKÄ forskningsämne

      Nationalekonomi
      Övriga andra lantbruksrelaterade vetenskaper
      Jordbruksvetenskap

      Publikationens identifierare

      DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s13280-020-01481-y

      Permanent länk till denna sida (URI)

      https://res.slu.se/id/publ/110713