Using sentinel-2 observations to assess the consequences of the COVID-19 lockdown on winter cropping in Bothaville and Harrismith, South Africa

The novel coronavirus infectious disease 2019 (COVID-19) and related lockdown regulations have impacted socio-economic activities, the environment, and human health. Generally, the decision to plant is mostly affected by meteorological conditions, such as rainfall. In contrast, the crop condition depends on management practices such as fertilizer applications and irrigation, in addition to meteorological conditions. However, COVID-19 lockdown regulations restricted the mobility and operation of certain sectors. Consequently, COVID-19 implications on food security are related to trade, transportation and export, farm employment, and incomes. However, its implications on winter cropping are yet unknown. We assessed the effect of COVID-19 on the 2020 winter cropping season, using Sentinel-2 data and Google Earth Engine (GEE) in semi-arid agricultural areas of South Africa. The results indicate lower planted areas at both sites during the COVID-19 year relative to the reference year (2019), i.e., a Decrease Ratio of 0.71 (Bothaville) and 0.30 (Harrismith), respectively. An analysis of winter meteorological conditions showed no significant difference in precipitation between 2020 and 2019, indicating that strict COVID-19 lockdown restrictions, introduced before the start-of-the-season, influenced farmers’ planting decisions.