AN ADVERSE EFFECT OF THE COVID-19 PANDEMIC ON AGRICULTURE MARKETS IN INDIA

Abstract

The ongoing pandemic had an adverse effect on the agriculture markets in India. During these challenging times, farmers were unable to take their produce to the Mandis (wholesale markets) and Haats (weekly markets), traders were unable to go to villages to buy the product and thus the farmers were forced to sell their produce within the villages at low prices. There are many official reports of the closing down of Mandis because several mandis have been identified as spreaders of Corona Virus which has become a major cause of disruptions in the sale of products and thereby disruption in the supply chain. The present article deals with problems related to agricultural production, marketing, and various problems that the COVID-19 pandemic has created in India. It also discusses the mitigation measures and declarations that have been made by the government so far to ensure less damage in the agriculture sector. Empirical evidence has been shown to disclose the pre and post-lockdown fluctuations in prices and arrivals of the major Foodgrains of India.