March 30, 2020

In India, a need for action plan to manage agri, livestock sectors amid COVID-19

Even with lockdowns in place amid the spread of the novel coronavirus and the disease it causes, COVID-19, the agriculture and animal husbandry sectors will continue to produce, unlike factories, IT parks, hotels and malls, which can easily shut down. As food technologist Vijay Sardana says in an article in The Indian Express, "You cannot plug the udders of cows even if they are at home!".

Sardana, who is also a member of commodities derivatives advisory committee of the Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI), stressed the need for an immediate action plan to manage agriculture and livestock sectors in the interest of both producers and consumers.

The government, he explained, has the responsibility to ensure that farmers are able to keep their animals alive and market the crop that has been, or will be, harvested during the lockdown period.

"The first thing is to ensure free movement of farm produce, livestock feed and veterinary medicines", he says. While food, feed and agricultural inputs have been specifically identified as essential services, Sardana observed that the smooth movement of these essential items has been hampered by inadequate communication from the higher authorities to the local authorities and police.

"There are also reports of conflict between the police and citizens, including people involved in the transportation and delivery of food as well as inputs to farms (seed, cattle and poultry feed, fertiliser and crop protection chemicals) and processing units (consumables, packaging materials, labels, etc.)", he says in the article.

He suggests that the central authority issue a single notification relating to food items in a standard format and uniform language so that all ambiguities are removed.

He also suggests that the Essential Services Maintenance Act (ESMA) be invoked for the delivery of all essential services relating to food to prevent disruption of supplies. Thus, companies that are in a position to provide food should be given the powers to deploy the minimum necessary staff for production.

Sardana raised another issue, which concerns the post-lockdown scenario. With many plants now shut or working at low capacity, he sees a rush to procure raw material, trucks and rail rakes once the lockdown ends.

"The government must start planning now to prevent post-lockdown chaos, especially profiteering in the event of shortages. Smooth recovery from the lockdown is as important as managing supplies during the lockdown", he stated.