Key challenges faced by households for food access by Covid 19

Abstract

Food is essential for life. Maintaining food through the supply chain is important for sustainability. As the coronavirus diseases Covid 19 had affected the life globally, there is a challenge to access food across the world. The study aimed to find out the key challenges faced by households to access food and change of consumer behavior during the Covid 19 pandemic situation in Jaffna district. Data collection was carried out in Jaffna district using interviews, group discussions and questionnaire methods. Fish mongers, vegetable sellers and shop keepers were interviewed regarding the purchasing behavior of consumers. A questionnaire was distributed among the local residents to find the challenges faced by the pandemic situation. The lock down affected the livelihood of wagers who rely on their daily income for nearly three weeks in March- April 2020. As the movement of people was restricted in the first phase, people found it difficult to reach the essential food items. The livelihood of the day-to-day workers was affected by the national curfew implemented throughout the country. Closure of markets due to the spreading of disease, fear of purchasing seafood in the second phase, instability of prices of groceries, unavailability of raw foods and restricted entry into the food corners are the identified key challenges in accessing food. Charity services by the volunteers in the district helped to reduce the hunger of the needy people. However, after the pandemic people showed interest in the short supply chain. Purchasing vegetables from farmers directly from the field is an additional advantage for the farmers.