NEW DELHI : Rising concern over the impact of the coronavirus pandemic on the rural economy is prompting state governments to find ways to procure more farm produce, especially wheat.
With growing threat to farmers’ livelihood, both National Democratic Alliance (NDA) and opposition-ruled states have approached the union government to announce a special package for the agricultural economy, and transfer money to daily-wage labourers through the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Scheme (MGNREGS).
Punjab and Bihar said they will buy most of the farm produce, while Uttar Pradesh is also taking steps in that direction. “Punjab government has already announced that it will buy wheat and most of the other produce of farmers to