Abstract

Socio-economic shocks have been the sources of burden to smallholder
farmers, and the recent COVID-19 pandemics, can be termed a shock that
could lead to distortions in the operations of the commodity value chain. The
study, therefore, examined the effect of the COVID-19 pandemic on income
and access to economic input such as labour, seeds, fertilisers, herbicides,
before and during the COVID-19 pandemic. The study was carried out in
Kano State, Nigeria. Multi-stage sampling technique was employed in the
selection of 260 respondents comprising producers (115), marketers (60),
processors (46) and transporters (29). Primary data were collected from
stakeholders in tomato value chain through the use of a structured questionnaire.
Data collected were analysed using descriptive statistics. Findings
revealed that tomato value chain in Kano State, Nigeria, is male-dominated.
The average age of stakeholders ranged between 43 years (transporters) and
51 years (processors). Results further revealed a significant relationship in
income of marketers’ pre- and during COVID-19 pandemic. However,
non-significant relationship was observed in the income of producers, processors
and transporters prior and during COVID-19 pandemic. There was
also no significant difference in the economic value of seeds, manure and
fertiliser before and during COVID-19 pandemic. The most important
constraints to the producers were the high cost of farm chemical procured
while the marketers were confronted with high cost of transportation. The
processors were faced with high processing cost and transporters experienced
request for undue levies by market authorities. 

The study recommends that mechanism be devised to improve availability of inputs to producers and
dissemination of adequate market information to stakeholders in the tomato value chain regularly to improve contribution of the commodity to food security and economic development