Faced with an economy battered by the coronavirus outbreak and resultant lockdown, the Modi Government has decided to focus on starting the wheels of the rural economy to provide livelihood support to millions of daily wagers, farm labours, and migrant workers.
The Union Home Ministry’s latest guidelines allowed farming operations and farm workers in the field from April 20. To provide an impetus to the rural economy, the Government has allowed construction of roads, irrigation projects, buildings and industrial projects in rural areas; works under MNREGA, with priority to irrigation and water conservation works; and operation of rural Common Service Centres.
The guidelines allowed agencies engaged in procurement of agri-products, including MSP operations, permission to function during the extended lockdown period. The guidelines give operation permission to mandis operated by the Agriculture Produce Market Committee or as notified by the State Government as well as direct marketing operations by the States or industry directly from farmers or Farmer Producers Organisations.
The Government asked State Governments to promote decentralised marketing and procurement of farm commodities at village level. As harvesting of rabi crops like wheat is underway, the Government has allowed inter and intra-State movement of harvesting and sowing related machines like combined harvester and other agriculture and horticulture implements.
That apart, the Government has allowed shops of agriculture machinery, its spare parts including its supply chain and repairs to remain open.
For smooth supply of farm inputs during the ongoing sowing of kharif crops, the Government has permitted manufacturing, distribution and retail of fertilisers, pesticides and seeds.
To ensure the fishery sector does not suffer during the lockdown, movement of fish and fish products, fish seed and feed as well as workers engaged in these activities are allowed. Marine and inland fishing operations as well as the aquaculture industry including feeding, maintenance, harvesting, processing, packaging, cold chain, sale and marketing -- are allowed to operate. Hatcheries, feed plants and commercial aquaria are also allowed.
To ensure smooth supply of milk to consumers and protect farmers, the Government has allowed collection, processing, distribution and sale of milk and milk products. Milk processing plants are allowed to operate including transport and supply chain. Poultry farms and hatcheries as well as livestock farming activity are also permitted during the lockdown.
For smooth supply of animal feed to the livestock sector, the Government has permitted feed plants to operate including supply of raw material such as maize and soya.
