Vulnerability context due to COVID-19 and El Nino: Case study of poultry farming in South Sulawesi, Indonesia
The poultry industry has faced two significant challenges in the last 4 years: the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic and El Niño drought, which pose significant business risk. This study aims to fill this knowledge gap by conducting a comparative analysis of the vulnerability of poultry farms...
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| Main Authors: | , , , |
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
| Published: |
De Gruyter
2025-04-01
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| Series: | Open Agriculture |
| Subjects: | |
| Online Access: | https://doi.org/10.1515/opag-2025-0431 |
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| Summary: | The poultry industry has faced two significant challenges in the last 4 years: the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic and El Niño drought, which pose significant business risk. This study aims to fill this knowledge gap by conducting a comparative analysis of the vulnerability of poultry farms to COVID-19 and El Niño events and identifying potential mitigation strategies to reduce their impacts. This study was conducted using a qualitative approach and case study methodology on two different types of farms: broiler and layer. Data were collected through semi-structured and in-depth interviews, observations, and document analyses of 36 farmers and agri-food companies. The results showed that both types of farms were more vulnerable during the COVID-19 pandemic than during the El Niño drought period. However, based on farm characteristics, layer farms using independent systems were more vulnerable to both events than broiler farms using contract systems. The COVID-19 pandemic has resulted in several economic vulnerabilities, including fluctuations in the prices of feed and poultry products, reduction in labor, and the reallocation of investment funds. In contrast, El Niño droughts pose different challenges, including feed scarcity and the need to develop poultry breeds that can withstand extreme weather conditions. Different mitigation strategies are recommended for these two types of farms facing different disasters: the new disaster due to the current pandemic and decades-old climate change disasters, such as drought. Developing specific mitigation strategies based on disaster types and farm characteristics, such as improving reserve funds and market strategies, government-provided financial assistance, biosecurity measures, strengthening relationships with farmers and companies, using family labor, diversifying feed sources, and adopting climate-resilient housing, can provide practical solutions to reduce vulnerability and enhance the economic resilience of both broiler and layer farms in future crises. |
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| ISSN: | 2391-9531 |