The Impact of COVID-19 on the Agricultural System and Food Supply in Fiji

Pacific Island Countries (Kiribati, Fiji, Samoa, and many others) rely on fisheries and agricultural systems for their livelihood and economic development. However, the COVID-19 scenario has led to vast degradation in the agriculture supply, economy, and food security system, resulting in poverty, an increase of unemployment percentage, and a decrease in the tourism industry. The policies related to COVID-19 restrictions, such as lockdowns, access to markets and social distancing, has caused a high reduction in the income of many households. Food purchasing from vendor markets and supermarkets has decreased rapidly due to its prices. Several individuals cannot afford to buy the food items, leading to lower food supply within and outside the country. In addition, several people have been moving to rural areas due to Unemployment. They have started to perform backyard gardening small-scale farming, which again results in lower production of commercial farmers and loss of food supply to consumers. Not only Fiji, but the whole world is experiencing the same situations, which have led to the Government making innovative actions against this deadly virus to protect the citizens from this pandemic. FNPF withdrawals, farming packages, and other initiatives indulged by the Government of Fiji and other Pacific Countries are being discussed in this review. Countries have examined the effects of the Coronavirus on the agricultural system and food supply chain in Fiji and other Pacific nations.