Sustainable Agricultural Mechanization in Nigeria in Context of COVID-19
O. K. Fadele
Federal College of Forestry Mechanisation, Afaka Kaduna, Forestry Research Institute of Nigeria, Nigeria.
T. O. Amusan
Air Force Institute of Technology, Kaduna, Nigeria.
C. O. Ariyo
Federal College of Forestry Mechanisation, Afaka Kaduna, Forestry Research Institute of Nigeria, Nigeria.
A. O. Afolabi
Federal College of Forestry Mechanisation, Afaka Kaduna, Forestry Research Institute of Nigeria, Nigeria.
N. E. Onwuegbunam
Federal College of Forestry Mechanisation, Afaka Kaduna, Forestry Research Institute of Nigeria, Nigeria.
B. O. Oni
Federal College of Forestry Mechanisation, Afaka Kaduna, Forestry Research Institute of Nigeria, Nigeria.
*Author to whom correspondence should be addressed.
Abstract
Post-harvest losses and food shortage has remained endemic to most Sub-Saharan African communities. The reality of COVID-19 in these countries has unfurled the weakness of agricultural sector in containing long lasting effect of such natural disaster. In most developed countries, the impact of COVID-19 is minimal on the agricultural sector because of their functional robust food supply chain structure unlike most developing countries. The effort of most African countries in this sector is yet to come to fruition; this will not happen without sustainable agricultural mechanization. This would further enhance food supply chain mechanism in the agricultural sector. In this paper, the impact of COVID-19 on food supply in Nigeria was discussed, as well as the proffered approaches in combating similar future disaster.
Keywords: COVID-19, impact, mechanization, sustainable agricultural production