Citation:Adegbola, J. A., Owojaiye, O. B., Ogunremi, O. B., Aina, O. B., Achime, K. C., Lijoka, K. O., & Pessu, P. O. (2022). Covid-19 restrictions counterfactuals: an overview of postharvest value chain actors in Nigeria. Tropical Agricultural Research and Extension, 25(4).
Date:2022
Abstract:
This investigation is borne out of the assumption that postharvest value chain actors experienced disruptions
which are fallouts of the COVID-19 restrictions or otherwise. It examines the degree to which changes in
livelihood and activities of postharvest value chain actors (farmers, processors, marketers, transporters and
consumers) may be attributed to restrictions or the inter-play of intervening factors. The study is cross-sectional
and employed the micro approach as its estimation methodology in 18 states across 6 geopolitical zones of the
country. Data were obtained through key informant interviews, focus group discussions (FGDs), questionnaires
and interview guides. The purposive selection of 16 states with a high incidence of COVID-19 according to the
Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC) and formal restriction along with 2 states with no formal restriction
as counterfactual preceded the random selection of 108,000 respondents across 5 categories of postharvest value
chain actors from sampling frame provided by Agricultural Development Programme (ADP). Data components
were analyzed using both descriptive and inferential statistics. Results showed that the difference in earnings was
significant (P ≤ 0.05) in restriction states but not significant (P ≤ 0.05) in counterfactual states; the difference in
expenditure on food was not significant (P ≤ 0.05) in both restriction and counterfactual states; the difference in
wages paid to work hands was not significant (P ≤ 0.05) in both restriction and the Cross-River States, however, it
was in Kogi State; the difference in number of work hands employed was significant (P ≤ 0.05) in restriction
States but not significant (P ≤ 0.05) in counterfactual states. This implies that the restrictions affected Nigerians in
general irrespective of their restriction statuses because the effects of COVID-19 2restrictions in 34 states and the
FCT overshadowed the non-restrictions in 2 states.
