INFLUENCE OF COVID-19 ON SOCIO-ECONOMIC CONDITIONS OF THE FARMERS IN SOME SELECTED AREAS OF BANGLADESH

Abstract

The ongoing COVID-19 pandemic has resulted in a new era in the efficacy of the agricultural sectors. Farmers of Bangladesh are directly affected by COVID-19. Considering the above situation, the present study was designed to investigate the influence of COVID-19 on socio-economic conditions of the farmers in some selected areas of Bangladesh. Data were collected from the 107 respondents selected from the intervention area (5 villages). Majority (71.80%) of the farmers faced medium influence of COVID-19. Among the variables, age and problem faced by the farmers in crop cultivation during COVID-19 had positive significant contribution and sanitation practiced by the farmers had negative contribution to the influence of COVID-19 on their socio-economic conditions. Among these, problem faced by the farmers in crop cultivation had the highest contribution (42.2%). All the factors cooperatively contribute 51.3% of the variance of influence of COVID-19 (R =0.513). Majority (64.60%) of the farmers had medium problem in crop cultivation during COVID-19. According to problem faced index (PFI), rate of increasing cost of production ranked first and loan is not available when need ranked last. It is concluded that the influence of COVID-19 on farmer’s socio-economic conditions were moderate and needed further advancement. Bases on the results, it was recommended that the government and non-government organizations should take initiatives for reducing the influence of COVID-19 on farmer’s socio-economic conditions. 2