The countrywide lockdown has impacted the rural economy considerably, and has negated the benefit of a better rabi crop season.
The season began on a positive note, with crop sowing increasing 10% on the back of good soil moisture content and water availability.
Weather related damages such as hailstorms and unseasonal rains were limited, improving crop prospects. But restrictions on trade and movement of people has impacted harvesting and marketing of rabi crops. “Urgent central and state government intervention is required to avoid a post demonetisation scenario; where small & marginal farmers bear the brunt of price declines post a healthy harvest, while large farmers with holding capacity manage to contain losses," said analysts at JM