THE IMPACT OF COVID-19 ON THE FARMING SYSTEMS AND LIVELIHOODS OF SMALL-SCALE FARMERS: A CASE STUDY OF SELECTED VILLAGES IN PATTOKI TEHSIL, DISTRICT KASUR, PUNJAB

Abstract

The purpose of this study is to explore the impact of COVID-19 on the rural livelihood of small-scale farmers. It identifies the factors which have affected them the most and their strategies for adjusting to the shocks of COVID-19. The study takes a mixed-method approach and covers the economic and social impacts, a shift in farm activities and the role of government institutions. Data has been collected in three villages of Pattoki tehsil, District Kasur in the Punjab province, Pakistan, where small farms that is below 12.5 acres are abundant. The findings identify the strategies used by small farmers to deal with the impact of COVID-19. At the end of the study, policies have been suggested to mitigate the impacts of any further pandemics or other shocks to small-scale farmers.