Impact of COVID-19 on Indian agriculture

Abstract

The ongoing coronavirus pandemic is a most challenging issue of world at present time. India is also affected adversely due to the severity of this pandemic. Moreover, COVID-19 has severe impacts on agriculture, but due to the rapid mortality rate, it has shadowed the agricultural issues. But this ignorance of agricultural sector may create a dangerous crisis of food security in India if the appropriate measures are not taken. Due to prolonged lockdown, as announced by government, several restrictions are imposed on transportation sector. It is also ordered to population that not to move outside of their houses. These restrictions have created closure of various agricultural markets that hampered the agricultural supply chain. Main problem created due to this COVID-19 issue is the migration of agricultural labours. As a result of this labour scarcity, various agricultural operations like harvesting become difficult to be handled. It has also become difficult for farmers to get quality seeds and proper machinery for their agricultural operations. Government should plan appropriate strategies to tackle these agricultural problems. There is need of introduction of self-operated machinery so that hindrance in agricultural operations as caused by labour scarcity can be effectively tackled off. ICT is also a good option during this pandemic. Subsidies must be provided to the manufacturers of such machineries so that these machineries can be available to farmers at affordable prices. Farm population must be protected from corona virus by rapid testing and practicing social distancing. There should be involvement of farming community including agricultural workers in the government assistance package.