Covid-19 Poverty Monitor case studies

Nepal December 2020

Oma is a farmer who lives with his family in Banke. His sons help him with the farm, and the family relies primarily on farming for their livelihoods. Before Covid-19 he was working with a local agricultural association to install kitchen gardens, but they have struggled to access farm inputs such as seeds and fertiliser when lockdown measures and market disruptions due to Covid-19 took effect. 

Since we spoke to Oma in September the situation has partially improved. The easing of lockdown has allowed local markets to have reopen, meaning farmers like Oma can sell their produce again. Seeds and fertiliser are available, but at higher prices than normal.  Due to the delay in accessing fertiliser at the beginning of the season, Oma is growing maize for the first time (he normally grows wheat) which is a lower-earning crop.

Income losses due to these market disruptions have resulted in Oma’s household drawing from their savings. They have not received government support. Oma has been to the local government office to inquire about access to fertiliser, but he stated that otherwise he has not been approached by any other organisation offering support. Because Oma’s household grow their own food they are not facing food insecurity, but their income and savings losses have left Oma anxious about his family’s welfare in the medium term.