Local Communities Facing COVID-19: Influence of the PASDeR on Farmer Family Farming in Northern Benin
Abstract:
To protect populations against the spread of COVID-19, countries have taken preventive measures such as lock downs, prohibitions, curfews, etc., as well as individual and collective barrier gestures against the circulation of the virus. The consequences have been widely varied. The present study, therefore, aimed to analyze the effects of these implemented anti-COVID-19 measures on Peasant Family Farms in Benin. The study was based on collected data from 1,282 beneficiary farms and used quasiexperimental models highlighting effects, impacts, and efficiency. The survey was conducted from June 2020 to December 2022 in Benin. The results revealed that the anti-COVID-19 measures taken by the program had slight and insignificant increases in income and produc tivity, whereas for employment, these increases remained not only positive but also significant. Furthermore, the results show that Peasant Family Farms worked more in several fields during this period to improve economic and social welfare. These findings suggest the promotion of such initiatives in local communities, followed by a liberal fellowship from national or federal authorities.
