COVID-19: 97 Percent of Small-Scale Farmers in Uganda Register a Decline in Earnings

Source: Eagle Online

New research released by international development organization, Heifer International, revealed 97 percent of smallholder farmers in Uganda have seen their income drop since the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic, with 86.6 percent of farmers seeing their income plunge by more than half. The findings were part of a survey of 448 farmers and interviews with 10 Agri-hubs, four private sector partners and three district local governments.

The report indicates that a vast majority (96 percent) of respondents belong to a savings groups or association, however 83 percent reported that savings have slowed down or stopped indefinitely due to the COVID-19 restrictions. 44.3 percent of farmers are surviving on savings, while 27.6 percent have received financial loans from family members, neighbors or friends. 58 percent of farmers have actually given money to neighbors.