According to the study "Covid-19: economic and social impacts in Angola", the Center of Studies and Scientific Research (CEIC) at the Catholic University of Angola, the crisis can bring great business opportunities for agriculture (a particular family ) and food trade.
“With the decrease in imports, these sectors may benefit from additional demand, so we believe that the focus of government protection on companies should prioritize these two sectors as ways of guaranteeing food security and preventing the worsening of extreme poverty, which can easily slide into episodes. of hunger, especially in urban centers ”, defend CEIC researchers.
The study indicates that families "live under the threat of rising costs of basic goods, due to the disruption experienced in the supply chain, due to reduced family income, potential redundancies and wage cuts" and the lower consumption of their production of goods and services, especially in the informal market, a situation that was already precarious even before covid-19.
"The containment and mitigation measures of the spread of the coronavirus that severely limit the freedoms of the people worsen the situation alarming manner," warns the study, pointing out cases of disobedience and excesses in the application of law by the security forces and security.
"Hence, it is clear that the high level of informality in our economy and the precarious living conditions compromise the application of containment measures", the document highlights.
Among the measures to increase the effectiveness of the financial package for agriculture announced by the Government, CEIC recommends: identification of second season crops, the production of animals and small species and support (means of transport, opening of water wells, availability in the motorcycles and electric pumps) to small and medium agricultural producers.
The document also recommends the import of inputs and small equipment for agriculture; mobilization of producers for recovery (cleaning of drainage ditches) and constitution of irrigation systems; promotion and immediate support of fishing activities; import and sale of small tonnage trucks for distribution of agricultural goods; timely creation of food distribution systems, identifying needy populations; and subsidization of passenger transport is vital to the functioning of the economy, including production, distribution and food consumption.
The study argues that the measures should be managed at the level of provincial governments and municipal administrations, with religious and civil society organizations serving as partners of the Government in identifying the most needy families and as supervisors of the implementation of the programs.
“The time has come for agriculture to play its role, which has always been postponed, and occupy a relative weight in the national economic and productive structure of over 15 percent, giving it a special place that can be fulfilled, supporting the diversification of economy, combating poverty and improving the distribution of national income ”, advises CEIC.
