GASPRO International Journal of Eminent Scholars

ABSTRACT
The study sought to measure the threats of the COVID-19 crisis, with particular focus on its effects on agribusinesses, and ways of mitigating these effects. The study adopted Expost-facto research design. The population of the study consisted of all farmers (such as manufacturers of agricultural products, retailers and distributors of agro-based products) in Nigeria. Simple random sampling technique was used to select 45 respondents which constituted the sample size. The instrument used for data collection was an interview schedule titled ―THREATS OF COVID-19 PANDEMIC TO AGRIBUSINESS QUESTIONNAIRE‖ (TCPAUAQ). The instrument so developed was made to pass through face and content validation by experts. Instrument reliability was tested using Cronbach reliability test at 0.86 coefficient. The data obtained was analyzed using the descriptive statistics for the research questions and simple regression for hypothesis. The result tested for significance at 0.05 alpha level. The study concluded that as restrictions tightens because of COVID-19, transportation capacity may not be adequate to provide just-in-time deliveries to animal feeding operations, food processing and manufacturing plants, distribution facilities, export facilities and retail outlets, and also, there is significant effect of COVID-19 on the operation of agribusinesses in Nigeria. It was therefore recommended that road access should be granted to agribusiness migrant workers, who continues to ensure food availability in the State. In addition, agribusinesses workers need cash income support, the government should provide financial support sufficient for their operation and survival during the lockdown period.
KEY WORDS: Threats, Covid-19, Pandemic, Agribusiness, Food Security, Supply chain.