Introduction

COVID-19 has wreaked havoc on the global economy, with restrictions on domestic and
international travel resulting in widespread unemployment and GDP shifts. All sectors of the
economy have taken a hit, with flight numbers dropping by double digits, tourism suffering
severe damage, and oil prices falling to levels not seen in two decades. Although agriculture
received less attention early in the pandemic than other sectors of the economy (such as aviation
and tourism), Yaffe-Bellany and Corkery (2020) point out that the closure of restaurants, hotels,
and schools left some farmers with no buyers for more than half of their produce.

In Uganda, the agriculture sector is the bedrock of the economy, accounting for 24 percent of
GDP and gradually declining as the primary source of income for 70 percent of the population
(76% rural; poverty prevalence far higher in rural areas [27% ] than in urban (9 %) provides
more than half of export earnings (excluding gold) source of raw materials for industries: agro-
processing accounts for 60% of manufacturing Agricultural production differs from
manufacturing due to land and other biological requirements for primary agriculture; seasonal
demand for low-skilled labor, particularly for fruit and vegetable production; and seasonality
(Charlton and Castillo 2020; Luckstead, Nayga Jr, and Snell 2020). This is especially important
if growers are unable to find a market for their crops, as most cannot be planted until the
following year. Changes in livestock decisions could be felt this year or next, but they could also
be felt in the future.