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Emergency Management and Agriculture

Various policies are put in place to prepare for multiple disasters. Much focus has been put on preparedness for disasters that result from terrorism or pandemics such as COVID-19. However, having similar measures for preparing for emergencies among agricultural and agribusiness investors can help prevent disasters that could lead to significant agricultural losses, such as those caused by disease outbreaks (Gilpen et al., 2009). Local emergency management coordinators and other close partners, such as agricultural and agribusiness stakeholders, can help mitigate, if not completely prevent, the disasters that they could face in the future when they least expect. However, there must be a clear framework that enhances preparedness across all avenues of the agricultural venture from the management agencies, farmers, agricultural organizations, and agribusiness. The paper provides three fundamental ways emergency coordinators can put in place to eradicate disaster losses: risk management assessment, emergency response plans, and training programs for all stakeholders before a disaster occurs.

Risk assessment

Risk assessment entails a comprehensive understanding of the hazards a local region may experience. It entails having a joined and well-coordinated research of the area’s vulnerability. The local agencies and coordinators should comprehensively study the common disasters, such as those from natural occurrences. They may include those caused by changes in weather, diseases, and other uncertainties. Having a coordinated work plan involving all those in the value-addition chain who depend directly on agricultural produce will help create a competitive vulnerability map (Food and Agriculture Organization, 2024). The map involves assessing the agricultural areas, community population, facilities, and properties that are vulnerable to hazards. It predicts areas that will have an immediate impact of the disasters.

Mapping areas prone to drought or floods can provide an excellent measure to have prevention measures in place to limit the impact of the disasters. The information obtained from the assessment will help each of the stakeholders to set priorities in their activities that help reduce the impact of a disaster if it is not something that can be prevented (Food and Agriculture Organization, 2024). The local coordinators may use the opportunity to set priorities in their budget plan to deal with the impending danger.

Develop an emergency response plan.

An impending disaster requires the effort of everyone involved. It entails coordinating with local communities, farmers, and processing facilities within the area of the strike. Local emergency coordinators need to work closely with the stakeholders to formulate a practical and achievable plan (Inan et al., 2023). They must capture the specific needs of the stakeholders. For instance, the plan may involve having a sheltering facility that can withstand disasters for animal sheltering among a given number of local farmers. A plan could be to ensure adequate feeds are stored for livestock before draught strikes to limit livestock losses (Food and Agricultural Organization, 2017). The plan may also include working together with processing and manufacturing industries within places to store and secure equipment in the face of a disaster. Other measures to be included in the plan may also involve having the proper vaccinations in place for animals before a pandemic occurs. Working closely with pest manufacturing industries to have specific types of pesticides and herbicides to protect the plants and storing harvested farm produce would go a long way toward limiting the possible damage a disaster may bring to the stakeholders. These measures help minimize loss of production and economic losses for farmers and others in the value-addition chain by having appropriate storage and processing measures in the face of a disaster. Therefore, it enhances agricultural growth within the prone area.

Education and training program

Information is vital for any group that seeks to prepare and respond well to an impending disaster in the agricultural realm. The local emergency coordinators should set up training sessions and workshops to educate the relevant stakeholders. Meludu, 2011 notes that training for farmers will help them learn about the disaster, their vulnerability, and the measures they need to undertake before a disaster happens. The same training can also benefit agribusiness owners. Understanding the common disasters within their locality will help them set priorities in their value-addition chain to limit possible losses.

Having excellent information on the best way for communities to protect their livestock, infrastructure such as storage facilities, and crops helps prevent much loss. The local emergency agencies also need to train farmers on ways that they can access emergency programs within the shortest time possible. One may need to remind them to register and give their full contact details (Meludu, 2011). It will help during disasters as it becomes easy to know their progress and the help they need. Working closely with farmers and agribusiness partners will help the emergency coordinators determine the training the local community needs most.

Conclusion

Preparing and responding to a disaster in the agricultural and agribusiness arena involves close collaboration among the key stakeholders. A clear risk assessment helps to identify areas that are prone to disasters. It, therefore, helps to develop a development plan to prioritize the areas more likely to be affected. More importantly, training and education programs help a community and stakeholders to prepare and respond well to disasters.

References

Meludu, N.T. (2011). Farmers’ awareness and utilization of disaster management strategies and training needs for sustainable food security and livelihoods in Nigeria. http://dx.doi.org/10.2495/DMAN110

Inan, D. et al. (2023). Risk Assessment and Sustainable Disaster Management. Sustainability. https://doi.org/10.3390/su15065254

Gilpen, J. et al. (2009). Agriculture Emergencies: A Primer for First Responders. Biosecurity and Bioterrorism: Biodefense Strategy, Practice, and Science, 7 (2), 187–198. https://doi.org/10.1089=bsp.2008.0037

Food and Agriculture Organization. (2024). Climate Smart Agriculture Sourcebook: Understanding disaster risks to agriculture and food security. https://www.fao.org/climate-smart-agriculture-sourcebook/enabling-frameworks/module-c5-climate-resilience/chapter-c5-2/en/#:~:text=Vulnerability%20mapping%20identifies%20the%20elements,or%20economic%20dimensions%2C%20including%20livelihoods

Food and Agriculture Organization. (2017). The impact of disasters and crises on agriculture and food security. https://www.fao.org/3/I8656EN/i8656en.pdf

 

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