Background: The backbone of the Indian financial system, and
the main source of income in rural India, is agriculture. Agriculture and
allied businesses are crucial for the sustainable growth and development of the
Indian economy. The COVID-19 illness significantly impacted the agricultural
supply chain, from the industrial hub to the final consumer.
Aim: This study aims to assess the impact of COVID-19 on
farmers’ production in Raipur District of Chhattisgarh.
Methods: The study was conducted in agricultural years
2019–20 and 2020–21. By selecting sample villages, the study's data were
gathered from 300 households and 50 migrant and non-migrant workers in the
Chhattisgarh district of Raipur. Primary data was collected from the farmers
using a personal interview method, a well-planned schedule, and a
questionnaire. Secondary data was gathered from Census reports, the Labour
Bureau, Chhattisgarh, the Government of Chhattisgarh, the Directorate of
Economics and Statistics, and various reputable journals, articles, and books.
Statistical analyses, including descriptive statistics, chi-square tests, and
paired sample t-tests, were employed.
Results: The study found that the maize crop had the highest
yield loss, mostly -5.13 per cent, which is due to untimely harvest and
unavailability of labour. Also, lak/teora crop yield decreased by -2.83 per
cent. Also, the findings indicated that the yield of paddy, vegetables (Bitter
guard, brinjal ladies finger and bottle guard), and Arhar had increased by
16.18, 60.76, 61.39, 39.87, 59.74 and 14.28 per cent respectively from previous
years yield. The real impact in the case of crop production was seen in the
prices of farm produce. The return of migrant workers also increased
production; it was found from the study that agriculture was the only source of
income for every household during the lockdown. Farmers experienced a shortage
of agricultural inputs like seeds, fertilisers, and pesticides as a result of
world trade disruption.
Conclusion: A significant relationship was observed between
the COVID-19 pandemic and agricultural production in the study area. The study
recommends increasing investments in vital logistics to sustain the demand for
agricultural commodities and supporting start-ups and e-commerce businesses
through appropriate policies and incentives.
Author(s) Details
Pratiksha Tripathi
Department of Agricultural Economics, IGKV, Raipur, India.
Hulas Pathak
Department of Agricultural Economics, IGKV, Raipur, India.
V. K. Choudhary
Department of Agricultural Economics, IGKV, Raipur, India.
Maunika Akula
Department of Agricultural Economics, IGKV, Raipur, India.
Jwala Parte
Department of Agricultural Economics, IGKV, Raipur, India.
Please see the book here :- https://doi.org/10.9734/bpi/asti/v7/7202
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