Government policies on agriculture during lock down in kerala

The world economy has come to a halt due to the coronavirus pandemic. Unemployment has risen in India, and GDP estimates have fallen as a result of the blockade. The agriculture industry, on the other hand, seems to have escaped largely unscathed. According to Crisil, the sector could expand by 2.5 percent in 2021.

Harvest planning has been hampered by a shortage of farm labour to assist in harvesting and limitations on produce transportation, despite exemptions being granted as necessary services. Farmer representatives and agriculture analysts have criticised the government's relief plan for coronavirus-affected farmers. They also expressed fear that once the lockdown is lifted the crash in prices would severely impact the income of millions of farmers.

Despite the fact that agriculture is classified as important resources and consumers are exempt from the shutdown, farmers have been left high and dry as harvesting, procurement, and transportation have all come to a halt. When the state government stepped in, the vegetables and fruits were purchased, shipped, and sold by Horticorp and VFPCK (Vegetable and Fruit Promotion Council Keralam) outlets by department of agriculture development and farmer’s welfare. To cope with excess produce, a kind of barter scheme was implemented in some cases. Though bananas, long beans, and bitter gourd were carried from Nedumkandam in Idukki to Thiruvananthapuram, heaps of pineapple that were unsold in the capital city were returned to Idukki.

A state government initiative to improve fallow land agriculture is reigniting the promise of farming in Kerala, amidst an economic lull and forced holidays caused by the prolonged COVID-19 lockdown. Many people seem to be interested in the Kerala government's Subiksha Keralam project for growing crops on fallow ground. There was an overall increase in farming interest and young farmers used social media platforms to make enquiries at KAU (Kerala Agriculture University). Agriculture minister VS Sunilkumar said that the sales trend at KAU will bridge the demand-supply gap in agri sector, particularly vegetable production.

The agriculture department is working on large initiatives with LSG bodies to increase the state's self-sufficiency. The state is looking at all options, including kitchen gardens, greenhouse planting, and neighbourhood programmes.

“We have enough food stocks available for now and we are in a comfortable situation. However, if the current circumstances due to the pandemic outbreak continue for long, we will need to start preparing for the future and would need big interventions in the agriculture sector," Vijayan told reporters .

To be ready for any eventuality in the future, the state must be self-sufficient in the production of food grains and the cultivation of fruits and vegetables. For government is pushing for modern farming techniques and practices to maximise produce.

References Back to farms! lockdown and Downturn SPUR fallow land farming in Kerala. (n.d.). Retrieved April 08, 2021, from https://www.onmanorama.com/news/business/2020/10/30/lockdown-spur-fallow-land-farming.html

Dutta, P. (2020, May 05). Indian economy in Corona time: Agriculture only bright spot. Retrieved April 08, 2021, from https://www.indiatoday.in/news-analysis/story/coronavirus-lockdown-covid-19-impact-on-economy-agriculture-1674545-2020-05-05