IAPRI, MUSIKA UNDERTAKE STUDY OF COVID-19 IMPACT
THEIndaba Agricultural Policy Research Institute (IAPRI) has partnered with Musika Development Initiatives to study the effects of COVID-19 on entrepreneurs in the agriculture sector with emphasis on those supported by Musika.
IAPRI Business and Outreach Director Over Ballard Zulu said that the past one year, the world has experienced both economic and health disruptions through the novel Coronavirus of 2019 (COVID-19), and Zambia has not been spared.
Mr Zulu said the various measures taken to curb the spread of the virus have affected various sectors in the Zambian economy as well as the Agricultural Sector.
He said IAPRI has continued to lead and work with other stakeholders in the sector to provide evidence-based information regarding COVID-19 and its effects.
Mr Zulu said the study is designed to be completed within the period of about three months (May-July 2021).
“Specifically the study is meant to assess the impact of COVID -19 on agribusiness firms in Zambia with a focus on firms which received grants from Musika as well as those not supported by Musika to assess how the clients of these agribusiness firms have been affected due to COVID-19 and associated control measures and identify key policy gaps needed to be addressed.
“Other reason is to identify key constraints faced by the agricultural players and recommend practical and cost effective short term and long term solutions,” he said.
He said that IAPRI hopes that the study will generate data that will be used to inform Musika’s strategy and other private players on how to effectively provide appropriate support to its beneficiaries in order to sustainably build their resilience to future global health shocks such as Covid-19.
IAPRI has been involved in providing a factual understanding of Covid 19 on the agricultural sector in Zambia.
Other studies in this area include understanding the effects of COVID 19 on household income, household nutrition and the supply and demand side of agricultural production.