Impact of COVID-19 on Agriculture and Allied Sectors

Abstract

 Impact of Corona virus outbreak on mankind is serious. Apart from health issues and 
social life stand still, global economy has been affected drastically. Many sectors have been hit 
by this pandemic and agriculture and allied sectors are no exception. Issues such as shortage of 
labour, restricted access to markets have been tremendously affected this sector. Many of its 
frailties were exposed during the course but the resilient cultivation sector surfaced with some 
promising results after a good monsoon and aggressive response demonstrated by the 
government to support the sector.  Government excluded several farming activities such as farm 
operations, agribusiness, dairy, poultry and fishery from lockdown limitations after the lockdown 
extended in May, 2020.  
Pandemic also presented a great opportunity to think over and evaluate the hidden potential of 
respective sectors. Solemn efforts are required for innovation and technical up gradation of 
agricultural operations to alleviate the impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic. As India struggles to 
uplift the distressed economy, government announced economic stimulus package worth INR 20, 
00,000 crore under Atma Nirbhar Bharat Campaign. Long term impacts of this campaign are 
estimated to develop agriculture and allied sectors with major emphasis on quality products and 
increased exports of agriculture commodities.