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EFFECT OF COVID-19 ON FOOD VENDORS

CHAPTER ONE

INTRODUCTION

1.1 BACKGROUND OF THE STUDY

The Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic continues to impact health, social and economic systems with devastating consequences on lives and livelihoods worldwide (UNDP, 2020). As our understanding of the pandemic's impact evolves, emerging reports from Africa predict adverse effects on food systems actors' livelihood and food security (Ayanlade and Radeny, 2020; Zougbede, 2020) these include street food vendors and the urban poor that rely on them.

As the pandemic progressed into different parts of Africa, countries introduced measures to curb the spread of the virus. These measures included restrictions on people's movements, open market days, and business operations. Food retailing was deemed essential, and thus in many countries, including Nigeria, such service was exempted from a total shutdown. However, reports show  that  the  partial  restrictions  imposed  on  market operations and people's movement to reduce  the  spread  of  the virus  also affected  the  livelihoods of  street  food vendors  (Zougbede,  2020).  We  are  yet  to  fully understand the extent of the problem as minimal data are available.  Our  research  attempts  to  fill  this  gap  by highlighting the  experiences of  street food  vendors and consumers  from Abuja,  the Federal  Capital Territory  of Nigeria. A significant correlation has been established between the phenomenon of food security and the advancement of civilizations, as noted by Gani and Prasad (2007).

Food security, as defined by the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) during the 1996 World Food Summit in Rome, refers to the physical and economic access to an abundant supply of safe and nutritious food that is suitable for individuals' dietary preferences and requirements for maintaining a healthy and active lifestyle (Perez,2013). Conversely, food insecurity, which stands in opposition to food security, is characterized by low agricultural productivity and widespread poverty, ultimately leading to the regression of human development and the collapse of civilizations throughout history (Agudu,2009).

Food insecurity arises due to the intricate interplay of various factors within the food system, including climate change, natural and biological disasters, ineffective governance, inadequate agricultural practices and policies, and suboptimal land use policies, among others. The food system encompasses all activities involved in the production, aggregation, processing, distribution, consumption, and disposal of food products originating from agriculture, forestry, and fisheries, as outlined by the FAO in 2018.

In recent years, the world has witnessed numerous incidents of disasters that have disrupted the food system, resulting in evidence of food insecurity. Notably, the most recent and impactful event is the outbreak of COVID-19. The consequences of COVID-19 extend beyond being a mere disease, as it has caused significant disruptions to global economic and social stability. The pandemic has had a severe impact on the food system and its dependencies. Poverty and malnutrition at a global level have worsened due to the direct and indirect effects of the COVID-19 pandemic (Swinnen,2021).

COVID-19 is a highly infectious disease that shares similarities with pneumonia, and it carries a mortality rate of up to 3.4% (Wang,2021). The disease is highly virulent, primarily transmitted through close contact and the dispersion of droplets by both symptomatic and asymptomatic infected individuals.

 In order to mitigate the spread of COVID-19, national and international governments and authorities have implemented public health measures, including movement restrictions to public places and travel bans. Numerous studies are left until the target year of 2030 for achieving the United Nations' Sustainable Development Goal of zero hunger and a sustainable food system, the current circumstances appear highly unfavorable . The 2020 World Food Programme Global report on food crises reveals that an additional 135 million people have become acutely food insecure, with approximately 54% of these individuals residing in Africa. The report also identifies Nigeria as one of the top ten countries facing severe food crises. Against this backdrop, the present review aims to explore the repercussions of COVID-19 on specific drivers of the food supply system in Nigeria, building upon existing research and studies.

1.2 STATEMENT OF THE PROBLEM

In the fear of the spread of covid-19, it is necessary that food sold in the street are properly monitored to help curb the spread of covid-19. As in other developing countries, the street food sector in Nigeria is confronted with challenges. There is inadequate supervision and proper monitoring by food safety officers and the enforcement of food hygiene regulation is weak; lack of training in food safety and good hygiene practices is also rife among food handlers. Hence street foods are at risk of contamination, often at all stages of handling. Street foods are sometimes stored at improper temperatures and sold from vending sites which include kiosks, make-shift accommodation, and push carts as well as other temporary structures . They are prepared at very dirty surroundings with waste water and garbage disposed nearby, providing nutrient and breeding ground for rodents and vermin . In most cases running water is not available at vending sites, washing of hands and crockery are done in bowls or buckets and sometimes without soap. Furthermore the conditions under which street food is prepared and vended are worsened by weak implementation of relevant environmental and public health regulations. Thus is it against this backdrop that this study seek to examine the effect of covid-19 on food vendors.

1.3 OBJECTIVES OF THE STUDY

The main objective of this study is to determine effect of covid-19 on food vendors

Specific objectives include;

1. To examine the economic impact of COVID-19 on food vendors.

2. To assess the changes in consumer behavior towards food vendors during the COVID-19 pandemic.

3. To explore the strategies adopted by food vendors to adapt to the challenges posed by COVID-19.

1.4 RESEARCH QUESTIONS

1. How has the income of food vendors been affected by the COVID-19 pandemic?

2. What shifts in consumer preferences and purchasing patterns have occurred for food vendors during the pandemic?

3. What are the main strategies employed by food vendors to sustain their businesses amid the challenges of COVID-19?

1.5 RESEARCH HYPOTHESES

Hi: The income of food vendors has decreased significantly due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Hii: Consumer preferences have shifted towards contactless payment and online ordering for food vendors during the pandemic.

Hiii: Food vendors who have implemented innovative delivery and marketing strategies have experienced better business resilience during the COVID-19 crisis compared to those who have not.

1.6 SIGNIFICANCE OF THE STUDY

The current study was prepared emphasizing on the street vendors in Abuja, Nigeria . The paper focuses on the available research papers concerning the street vendors affected by the pandemic. The study may also require further modification in order to broaden the current area of study which can be continued by other researchers. The study can be useful in the research diversification of other areas of the economy. The paper sets a basis and can be helpful for other researchers as it will provide an insight to the researchers.

1.7 SCOPE OF THE STUDY

This study is aimed at examining the impact of covid-19 on food vendors. Specifically it will examine the tendency of spreading covid-19 through food. It will access the implication of food processing under poor environment. Furthermore it will investigate the impact of covid-19 on food vending. This study is delimited to selected eateries and restaurant in FCT Abuja.

1.8 LIMITATIONS OF THE STUDY

During the course of the study challenges encountered were exclusively but not delimited to the following numerous. These are

●       Inadequate finance: the research was face with problem of inadequate fund which hinder the researcher from shuttering to Access Banks within Lagos more so in printing and collation of questionnaires

●       Time constraint: time factor pose another constraint since having to cope in this research which went simultaneously within the time schedule of other academic work making it impossible to undertake this study in large more representative skill.

1.9 DEFINITION OF TERMS

1. COVID-19: COVID-19, short for "Coronavirus Disease 2019," is an infectious disease caused by the novel coronavirus SARS-CoV-2. It emerged in late 2019 and has since spread globally, leading to a pandemic declared by the World Health Organization (WHO) in March 2020.

2. Food Vendors: Food vendors refer to individuals or businesses involved in the preparation, sale, and distribution of food products to consumers. They operate in various settings, including street food stalls, food trucks, markets, and restaurants.

3. Lockdown Measures: Lockdown measures involve restrictions imposed by governments to limit the movement of people and activities within a specific area or region. These measures often include stay-at-home orders, closure of non-essential businesses, restrictions on gatherings, and travel bans, aimed at containing the spread of COVID-19.

4. Supply Chain Disruptions: Supply chain disruptions refer to interruptions or disturbances in the flow of goods, materials, and services along the supply chain network. These disruptions can result from various factors, such as production stoppages, transportation delays, inventory shortages, and changes in consumer demand, impacting the availability and distribution of food products.

5. Economic Hardships:  Economic hardships denote financial difficulties or challenges experienced by individuals, households, or businesses, often resulting from factors such as unemployment, income loss, increased expenses, or reduced access to resources. During the COVID-19 pandemic, food vendors may face economic hardships due to reduced sales, operational constraints, and rising costs.

6. Resilience: Resilience refers to the ability of individuals, communities, or organizations to withstand and recover from adversity, challenges, or disruptions. In the context of food vendors, resilience involves the capacity to adapt to changing circumstances, innovate business practices, and maintain essential functions despite external shocks like COVID-19.

7. Policy Interventions: Policy interventions are actions or measures implemented by governments, organizations, or regulatory bodies to address specific issues, achieve objectives, or influence behavior. During the COVID-19 pandemic, policymakers may enact various interventions to support food vendors, such as financial assistance programs, regulatory adjustments, or public health guidelines.

8. Supply and Demand Dynamics: Supply and demand dynamics refer to the interaction between the availability of goods or services (supply) and consumers' willingness and ability to purchase them (demand). Disruptions caused by COVID-19 can affect these dynamics, leading to shifts in market conditions, pricing, and consumer behavior that impact food vendors' operations and profitability.

9. Social Distancing: Social distancing involves measures aimed at reducing close contact between individuals to minimize the spread of contagious diseases like COVID-19. It includes practices such as maintaining physical distance, avoiding crowded places, wearing masks, and limiting social interactions, which can influence consumer behavior and the operational practices of food vendors.

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