Effects of COVID-19 on the GDP, Indian Agriculture, and Rural Lives
Shivani Ahalawat
Department of Genetics and Plant Breeding, Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel University of Agriculture and Technology, Meerut, Uttar Pradesh-250110, India.
Megha Sahu *
Department of Agricultural Economics, BM College of Agriculture Khandwa, R.V.S.K.V.V. Gwalior, M.P, India.
Gaurav Sharma
Department of Genetics and Plant Breeding, Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel University of Agriculture and Technology, Meerut, Uttar Pradesh-250110, India.
Biplove Bala
Department of Entomology, College of Agriculture, Vellayani, Kerala Agricultural University, Thrissur, Kerala, India.
Anuj Mamgain
Biology Division, Physics Wallah, Noida, Uttar Pradesh-201309, India.
Vipin
Dr. Rajendra Prasad Central Agricultural University, Pusa, Samastipur, Bihar-848125, India.
Pradeep Kumar
Department of Agricultural Biotechnology, Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel University of Agriculture and Technology, Meerut, Uttar Pradesh-250110, India.
Megha Raghavan
College of Agriculture, Kerala Agricultural University, Padannakkad, Kasargod, Kerala, India.
Patel Parthavi Kirtikumar
Department of Biochemistry, Anand Agriculture University, India.
*Author to whom correspondence should be addressed.
Abstract
This review paper explores the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on agriculture in India. Agriculture is a critical sector of the Indian economy, employing millions of people and contributing significantly to the country's GDP. The pandemic and the ensuing lockdowns have had far-reaching effects on the agriculture sector, affecting every aspect of the supply chain. Governments have swung into activities since the Coronavirus assault made an extraordinary circumstance. Rules given by the Ministry of Home Affairs, Government of India on 15 April 2020 after the expansion of lockdown till 10 May 2020, excluded agribusiness, agriculture, creature farming, poultry, fishery, and partnered exercises from lockdown limitations; workers can go to work, markets are to open, acquirement is to occur and Agri-input shops and agro-handling focuses are to work. MNREGS work will likewise initiate. The study also explores the impact of labor shortages and farmers' challenges on crop production, reducing crop yield and wastage of produce. The research papers also present the decline in the prices of agricultural commodities due to the reduced demand during the pandemic and the closure of mandis and initiatives of the Indian government.
Keywords: COVID-19, GDP, Indian economy, agriculture in India, farmers in India