Pandemic sure hit us in the face with many surprises. All the industries over the world saw a surge in supply and demand. The global economy has seen a decline, and it is still restoring. Some industries are harder to be stabilized as they need time and resources. One such industry is agriculture. You might remember the first lockdown. The stores were empty, people were rationing food, and everyone had stored many dozens of toilet papers.
The fear of confinement has led many people to build up food reserves in large quantities, thus revealing how much to eat in times of crisis remains a fundamental concern in homes. Strongly encouraged by the public authorities, the agricultural sector must meet demand, but for this, it must also be strongly supported.
The food chain is a complex network that includes producers, agricultural inputs, transport, processing plants, deliveries, etc. As the virus spreads and cases increase and new measures are taken to stem its spread, the global food system will undergo upheaval and test in the coming months.
For now, disruptions are minimal as food supplies have been adequate and markets have remained stable. The level of world cereal stocks is still good, and the forecast for the wheat harvest and the main crops is optimistic for 2020. Although a decline in food production for high-value commodities (e.g., fruits and vegetables) has probably already occurred, it is not yet notified. It is attributed to containment measures and disturbances in the food industry.
However, we are already seeing the challenges that arise at the logistical level, particularly for the movement of foodstuffs (ban on transporting them from point A to point B). The consequences of the pandemic in the livestock sector—caused by limited access to animal feed. Moreover, a slowdown in slaughterhouse activity (due to logistical constraints and the shortage of workers) has already happened in China. Many other sectors are helping the agriculture sector to be up and running as soon as possible. Various agencies assist in agriculture executive recruiting so that proper management and a “back-to-life” routine can be made normal.
Agriculture: a priority sector
The population’s food supply takes its full measure in times of crisis; it contributes to the feeling of security. “What this pandemic reveal is that there are goods and services that must be placed outside the laws of the market. Food, our protection, our ability to heal, our living environment to others is madness.”
Agriculture and the entire food chain must ensure the population’s food and be able to continue their activities. In its press release of March 18, 2020, the Minister of Agriculture and Food thanks all the players in the food chain, farmers, employees of cooperatives, SMEs, food industries, and distributors for their commitment to ensuring food. It also encourages the people to favor the variety and quality of food in their purchases by purchasing the local vegetables and fruits, thus supporting national agricultural production.
Support agricultural activity.
Spring, the time of sowing and harvesting, requires many seasonal workers (estimated at 200,000) who often came from abroad. So that the harvests can be carried out, the Minister of Economy and Finance, the Minister of Labor, and the Minister of Agriculture and Food have appealed to the people wishing to strengthen the workforce of the agricultural chain and local produce. Health safety instructions will have to be put in place for these activities, and platforms to connect candidates and farmers are organized. Agriculture executive recruiting might help in getting the industry back on track.
