Assessment of Challenges of Horticultural Crops Production due to COVID-19, in Arsi Zone, Oromia, Ethiopia

Abstract

Currently, COVID-19 pandemic disease has a great capacity to increase the
food insecurity of the country due to preventions of resources mobilization
and movement restriction that may affect crops production, inputs and
products transport. Survey was conducted during April, 2020 on current
Novel Coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak pandemic disease challenges on
horticultural crops production in Arsi zone on six districts which located at
different agro-ecologies. Data were collected by preparation of semi-
structured questionnaires, interviews and through personal observations. The
respondents have 100% information about COVID-19 pandemic disease
form different information sources and they have been discussed with their
families about the challenges of COVID-19 on the horticultural crops
production. The respondents would be faced shortage of seeds/planting
materials, lack of fertilizers, and chemicals from the market due to the
impact of COVID-19. Most of the respondents, have no any others
opportunities to obtain seeds, fertilizers and chemicals. As a result it was
concluded that, the households required more advice, motivation, awareness
creation and training from agricultural experts and other stockholders.