COVID-19 impacts and adaptation in aquatic food supply chains in Odisha - One year into the pandemic

Abstract

In 2020, we conducted a bi-weekly phone survey with 104 fish supply chain actors in Odisha, India, about their business activity between February and October 2020 to assess the impact of COVID-19 on the availability and price of aquatic foods and production inputs (Shieh et al 2020). In 2021, we conducted a follow-up survey and re-surveyed 65 participants, who could be contacted and agreed to be interviewed, regarding their activity between the months of March through May 2021. The sample comprised of the following: fish farmers (21), feed sellers (pellet) (6), feed sellers (non-pellet) (7), fish hatcheries (10), fishers (14), fish processors (1), traders (1), and retailers (5). Data from 2020 was collected in May, where respondents recalled their activities prior to the onset of the pandemic in Odisha (March through May). The first wave of COVID-19 cases in Odisha peaked in September 2020 (Ritchie et al 2020). COVID cases peaked for a second time in May 2021. Data from 2021 was collected in June, where respondents recalled their activities from March through May 2021. This allowed for a comparison between activities prior to and during restrictions and disruptions one year later.