Farmers go online during lockdown - 8th June 2020

Technology is helping farmers in South East Asia with a problem. They can’t sell their food during the lockdown.

Farmers in Malaysia usually sell their food at markets. However, the government has shut all markets because of coronavirus. A lot of food was thrown away.

Luckily, online shops like Lazada are helping. Lazada created a website where farmers can connect to customers. People can now buy their food directly from the farmers. This has been very popular; farmers are selling 1.5 tonnes of vegetables every day. Lazada has also created a website for fishermen.

Farmers in Indonesia had a similar problem. They usually sell to supermarkets and restaurants but many are now closed. Some farmers already helped each other. Now they are selling many farmers’ food online. This has saved a lot of food. Farming is a very traditional business in South East Asia but lockdown has changed this. People are wondering if this change will be permanent. Many are asking the question whether, after lockdown, people will still want to shop at markets.