Smallholder farmer aptitudes and perceptions about the impact of COVID-19 pandemic on agriculture in Morocco during the lockdown

The worldwide health crisis due to the COVID-19 virus since its outbreak in China has caused a complete lockdown of all government services in Morocco, including schooling, travel, borders, and other services, and highlighted the importance of agriculture in the food safety of the country. A survey was created to better understand smallholder farmers' perceptions of the expected effects of COVID-19 on their farming practices and social well-being. Potential vulnerabilities and resilience in the targeted farming systems were given special consideration. This survey was conducted with smallholder farmers (n=211 respondents) in three agricultural regions of the country (between June 5 and June 20, 2020). Perceptions of the potential influence on farming systems, agricultural productivity, communities, economics, markets, labor, gendered division of labor, food security, and community wellbeing were among the variables studied. The COVID-19 impact on agriculture was obvious and felt by smallholder farmers, in addition to an unusual drought and hailstorm. The survey conducted highlighted a substantial impact of the pandemic on the social life of farmers, daily farming activities, basic agricultural production system activities, and operations as well as farm incomes. The pandemic has also revealed the precarious and vulnerable situation of smallholder farmers who lack health care and retirement benefits worthy of their contribution to the economy. The study also summarized all measures taken by authorities to slow down the impact of the pandemic on vulnerable persons including farmers and others categories. For resilient sustainable agriculture, the crisis highlights the need to continue supporting smallholder farmers by improving their living conditions and by considering their needs in the new agriculture plan ‘Green Generation’ from 2020 to 2030.