Impact of COVID-19 Pandemic on Retail Chicken Shop Owners (Butchers) and their Livelihoods

The degree of COVID 19 pandemic impact on retail chicken shops and butchers’ livelihoods were assessed in the present study. The data collected on 38 butchers from eight states through semi-structured interview schedule employing the cross-sectional study during first and second weeks of May, 2020. During the COVID lockdown period 21.1 % butchers closed their shops due to low demand, COVID-19 panic, poor supply chain. Limited availability of birds leads to increased sale price by 29.9% but the quantity of sale decreased considerably. Maximum and significant increment of chicken price was observed in rural (49.2%) followed by peri-urban areas (43.5%). During the period butcher’s earnings were significantly reduced by 55.6 % affecting the family income. The net loss was about ₹ 32.2/bird as the butchers could not utilize their resources to their potential. COVID 19 pandemic lead to reduced demand for chicken products leading to closure of shops, reduced sale price, significant reduction in earnings resulting in distress to family and livelihoods.