Assessing the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on goat farming systems in rural mediterranean regions

Abstract

Numerous studies have highlighted the detrimental effects of COVID-19 disruptions on various aspects of rural farming communities worldwide, including economic status, food security and nutritional status. However, despite this extensive literature, there is a striking gap in understanding the nuanced impacts of these disruptions on different segments of smallholder goat keepers, particularly in the Eastern Mediterranean region of Turkiye. The aim of this study is to shed light on the multifaceted impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on goat farming and the local community in rural areas. Data was collected to examine the impact of COVID-19 on various dimensions such as input use, agricultural production (livestock and crops, etc.), market accessibility and food safety among goat farmers in Tufanbeyli, Feke and Karatas districts of Turkiye. The results showed that goat farming in rural areas under the pressure of COVID-19 had a negative impact on input management and marketing. In addition, it was found that breeders suffered economic setbacks, particularly due to the disruption to production and family nutrition caused by COVID-19.