Sudhir Kumar Rakesh, IAS (Retd.)
Patna : One of the major concerns right now is to save the standing Rabi Crop. It was estimated that this year we are going to get a bumper Rabi crop which would buoy the rural economy of India. The sudden onset of this Corona Virus crisis has come as a major threat to the rural economy. The 2nd Advance Estimate made by the Department of Agriculture, Cooperation and Farmers Welfare, Government of India, for 2018-19 Wheat (Rabi) production was 99.12 MT (Million Tonnes). By a conservative estimate, the production of Wheat (Rabi) alone during 2019-20 would have been in excess of 100 MT (Million Tonnes). There would be another 15-20 MT of other crops standing in the fields of farmers of India, ready to be harvested and stored.
Keeping in view the estimated 137 crore population of India, it would be a tragedy to let go of the 115-120 MT of Wheat and other Rabi crop. The national think tank has to come up urgently with a workable plan within the next 24-48 hours to save this crop.
Like we have designated the essential supply maintenance workers as Corona Warriors, we may also need to urgently designate farmers, agricultural labour, agricultural machinery operators, transporters etc. also as Corona Warriors and allow them to harvest the standing Rabi crop. This may go a long way in ensuring food security for the country. Of course, all these operations may have to be carried out taking all the Corona – related precautions and also maintaining social distancing.
As an emergency measure, we may also consider making payments to all concerned with this proposed Rabi harvesting operation from the MGNREGA funds. This would provide employment to the Corona Agriculture Warriors and also stock enough foodgrains for the country. In view of our enormous population, it is important to maintain food security. If Rabi crop is lost, not only 115-120 MT of standing crop may be lost, it would also dent the financial capability of the farmers to go for the next Summer /Kharif crop. We have to remember that foodgrains (Wheat etc.) are included in the list of essential commodities.
Similarly, our livestock (Cows, Buffalloes, Goats etc.) and poultry will also have to be saved. People raising livestock, poultry etc. will also have to be recognised as Corona Warriors and will have to be tasked with saving the livestock and poultry wealth of the nation. These are vital for maintaining the essential items supply chain and for maintaining the self-sufficiency of the nation in the field of essential commodities, so important for our survival during this period of crisis.