Original source: Pressat
Nairobi, Kenya: 9th September 2020 – Nearly nine out of ten Kenyan farmers said their financial situation has gotten worse during the coronavirus pandemic. According to recent data released by 60 Decibels, Kenyan farmers are being economically squeezed by decreasing demand for their produce and livestock, falling prices, and increasing costs for raw materials and supplies.
“The situation has rapidly deteriorated for many Kenyan farmers,” according to Venu Aggarwal, Agriculture Director at 60 Decibels, Inc. “Since agriculture dominates the Kenyan economy and employs approximately 75% of Kenya’s workforce, the ability of farmers to weather the pandemic storm is vital to Kenya’s future economic outlook.”
According to 60 Decibels’ research, Kenyan farmers are being forced to make adjustments to cope with the pandemic’s economic fallout. Approximately 90% of farmers have reduced the number of people hired to work on their farms. As a result, many farmers said they and family members are spending more time working on their farms.
These adjustments are critical due to Kenyan farmers’ diminishing non-farm incomes and increasing food prices. 17% of farmers reported a decrease in at least one income source compared to this time last year. Only 15% of farmers currently have income from a salaried job, compared with 25% of farmers in 2019.
The economic pressure on Kenyan farmers may have longer-term impacts. Nearly six out of ten farmers told 60 Decibels they have made unplanned withdrawals from their savings, and over 40% recently borrowed money to cover shortfalls in income due to the pandemic. 18% of farmers reduced payments on their loans, and 15% have sold or pawned assets they own.
While it is challenging to predict how long the economic downturn will last, the short-term consequences are striking. As many as one-third of Kenya’s farming households are in economic distress, according to 60 Decibels’ Vulnerability Index.
