Assessing the Constraints of COVID-19 Pandemic on Vegetable Growers: A Comprehensive Analysis

The onset of the COVID-19 pandemic raised major concerns for the agricultural sector, particularly for vegetable growers who are highly vulnerable due to the perishable nature of vegetables and reliance on labour-intensive operations that rely mainly on labour-driven operational practices. The research aims to provide a comprehensive analysis of the constraints vegetable growers face due to the COVID-19 Pandemic. Using an ex-post facto research design, we analysed the cause-and-effect relationship between variables among 240 vegetable growers from two districts and eight villages in Odisha, India. The findings reveal that fear of COVID-19 infection with an average garret score of 73.11 is impacting their willingness to work and interact, Restrictions on movement and social gatherings due to lockdown with an average garret score of 72.91 hindered farming operations, high cost of labour and agricultural inputs with an average garret score of 72.02 driven by reduced availability and increased demand, shortage of labour with an average garret score of 71.02, inadequate knowledge and awareness on COVID-19 pandemic with an average garret score of 70.25 and lack of transportation facilities due to mobility restrictions with an average Garrett score of 72.07 are some of the critical constraints faced by vegetable growers. The research findings have several implications for policy or practice to mitigate future disruptions and enhance the resilience of the agricultural sector.