Kathmandu, COVID -19 badly affected to marketing of agricultural products due to lockdown. In Nepal, different States and state borders are closed to avoid and stop the spread of covid-19 and the transport system is stopped. The farmers faced the problem of marketing and the rate of the product is down so that the economic loss of farmers. There are disruptions in supply chains because of transportation problems and other issues. Lack of labour is affecting planting and harvesting period and also shortages of transportation causes disrupting deliveries of fresh food. Media reports show that the closure of hotels, restaurants, sweet shops, and tea shops during the lockdown is already depressing milk sales. Meanwhile, poultry farmers have been badly hit due to misinformation, particularly on social media, that chicken are the carriers of COVID-19. Nutritionally speaking, it is very possible that consumption of animal protein, and of fruits and vegetables, will be reduced for fear of contamination. That same fear of contagion will reduce visits to food markets, and there will surely be a change in consumption and in the way of buying.

This phenomenon considerably affects the supply and demand for food, strongly altering the supply of food and relations between the city and the countryside. The behavior of agricultural systems is different from other productive systems, agriculture never stops, neither weekend, nor holidays nor during a pandemic, yes, they are highly vulnerable to climatic events. Currently, there is enough food, the problem is basically in two situations, one: transportation is quite reduced, and two: economic access has been reduced. The food supply, during the first weeks of the quarantine, has been affected, but after the 2nd week, supplies already reached the door of the houses except those people with less income, they did not have easy access to food. Reminiscent of the blockade days, Nepali’s went on a panic-buying binge fearing shortages of food and other essentials as the corona virus pandemic raged across the world.

COVID-19 Cases has been increasing day by day, and government of Nepal focused on maintaining healthcare as strongly and as efficiently as they can. However, the issue of food is being seriously overlooked. Obviously, medical cases are a priority; but it is equally important to see whether there are other issues that could worsen the situation. Food is one of them. The corona virus pandemic has shown that the connection between farm and table can be broken. Actually, we are not self-sufficient in food production and large amount of produce is imported from india in daily basis which may also increases the risk of COVID-19 through the process. At present days, more number of cases can be seen in different states of Nepal which also increases the risk of transmission of virus through our own produce too.

Moreover, due to our demographic distribution, major cities like Kathmandu are likely to become more affected due to its high population density and low food production in adjoining regions. Nonetheless, the majority of rural areas especially hilly regions are less likely to be affected by this phenomenon, thanks to subsistence farming.

In my view, some measures are required to keep the agricultural sector and supply chains working smoothly:
1.The government has already issued lockdown guidelines that exempt farm operations and supply chains. But implementation problems leading to labor shortages and falling prices should be rectified.

2.Small poultry and dairy farmers need more targeted help, as their pandemic-related input supply and market-access problems are urgent.

3.Farmers and agricultural workers should be included in the government’s assistance package.

4.As lockdown measures have increased, demand has risen for home delivery of groceries and E-commerce. This trend should be encouraged and promoted.

5.The government must promote trade by avoiding restrictions on import and export within a country with proper precaution.