The News Minute

As hundreds of migrant workers stranded in different parts of Tamil Nadu are being identified and sheltered in government houses amid the coronavirus scare, there is another category of people who have been left in the lurch due to the lockdown — the farmers and traders of perishable commodities. Most of them now run the risk of losses due to the closure of interstate borders and severe restrictions in transportation within the state.

Tribune India

A bumper crop of vegetables is being harvested these days, but the farmers are unable to reap its benefit. Instead, they are incurring losses as they are forced to either plough the crop or sell the produce at low prices due to curfew in the state.

There is no designated channel for selling farm produce during the lockdown period. Besides, the farmers are losing sleep as wheat harvesting is due within the next few days. Many farmers are unable to get permission to venture out to sell their produce, as they do not have the ways and means to approach the authorities concerned.

India Cooperative

The fertilizer cooperative IFFCO has welcomed the decision of the central govt on exempting farm workers as well as manufacturing and packaging units of fertilizers, pesticides and seeds from the lock down order.

There is a general sense of relief among farmers also as the govt has, after a rethink, allowed the farm-activities.

The Wire

It’s been raining for three days straight in Rajasthan’s Rawatsar. Local reports say the 15-20 mm rainfall recorded is the highest ever for the month of March.

For farmers whose crops are ready for harvest, this unseasonal rainfall is not the only problem. Bhim, a marginal farmer in Gandheli tehsil, Hanumangarh district, is unable to enter his water-logged farm. Looking at his barley crops from a distance, he says, “Thankfully, the wind speed is normal and I can still save my crop, but only if I am able to arrange a combine harvester machine. It would just take a few hours to harvest my crop and everything would be okay.”

Orissa Diary

The Covid-19 outbreak has hit hard on the farmers in Agriculture sector following the national level lock down. In Kendujhar district the farmers find it difficult to save their crops with no transport facilities, no labourers. The fertilizers and pesticide stores are closed and agriculture unavailable at this crisis in rural areas. In kendujhar Sadar Block, Jhumpura Block, Ghatgaon block it was seen that farmers initially began distress selling of their vegetables and crops in the first two three days of the lock down fearing marketing crisis of their products. Now the vegetable cultivation in many areas are damaging fast due to lack of irrigation and maintenance beyond the control of farmers.

Indian Express

The ongoing lockdown and disruption of supply chains, especially of fresh fruits and vegetables, has presented an opportunity to Farmers Producers Companies (FPC) and farmers’ groups to enter direct retail sales.

While Sahyadri Farms, the Nashik-based FPC, has started delivering to urban markets of Pune, Mumbai and Nashik, the group of farmers producing residue-free vegetables in Nashik have taken to testing the city’s retail market to directly sell their produce.

Telugu360

Farmers in Telangana and Andhra Pradesh could be heading for a major crisis as the 21-day nationwide lockdown to contain the spread of Coronavirus has affected the harvest of Rabi crops. Though agriculture is exempted from the lockdown in both the states, a majority of farmers are scared to come out of their homes. Shortage of agricultural labourers has added to their woes.