Agriculture Sector Will Not be Impacted by Covid-19 Pandemic: Narendra Singh Tomar

Agriculture Minister Narendra Singh Tomar on Wednesday (29^th April 2020) said India’s farm sector is functioning smoothly despite Coronavirus lockdown adding that there will not be much impact on its growth and development in the current fiscal unlike other sectors.

It must be noted that agriculture & allied sector's growth stood at 3.7% during the 2019-20 fiscal. In the meantime, Niti Aayog has pegged the agriculture sector growth at 3% in the current fiscal hoping for a good monsoon amid prevailing Coronavirus pandemic.

Tomar while addressing media said that "In the present lockdown situation, the farm sector is functioning smoothly as there has been no shortage of vegetables, foodgrains and dairy products. However, many other sectors are impacted. We are proud of our farmers and we are thankful to them".

The minister said that the impact of lockdown on the overall agriculture GDP would not be much this year on hopes of good rainfall. And Centre has exempted farm activities from the lockdown rules.

Tomar added "Agriculture GDP was at 3.7% during last year and I am confident that this growth in future would not be impacted much".

On the other hand, Ramesh Chand, Niti Aayog member said agriculture sector growth is estimated to be 3% in the 2020-21 fiscal despite current adverse circumstances. He said the forecast of good southwest monsoon, adequate water level in reservoirs, rise in kharif sown areas, increase in offtake of fertilizer & seeds - all these factors are in favour of agricultural sector growth.

He added that farm sector will rise to the occasion and play a significant role in giving normal growth to the Indian economy.

Chand said, "If you look at growth rate of 3.7% in current price level, then growth rate comes to 11.3% that is 60% more than the growth rate of the non-agriculture sector".