-Newsclick.in The lockdown has got the government talking about agri ‘reforms’ again, but the exploitation of India’s weakest farmers continues unchecked. It is a cruel irony that in the sixth week of the nationwide lockdown, the government is talking up omnibus agriculture “reforms” as if they can mitigate the growing distress in rural India. Reforms, no doubt, implies stricter compliance with online registration and payment rules, more focus on market-based pricing, and...

-NDTV Covid-19 lockdown: Tamil Nadu has reported over 1,800 coronavirus cases and 22 deaths so far with 452 cases in state capital Chennai, 141 in Coimbatore, 110 in Tirupur, 56 in Madurai 56 and 30 in Salem Chennai: Vegetable shops and grocery stores in Tamil Nadu will remain open till 3 pm, Chief Minister Edappadi K Palaniswami said this morning after panic buying of essential goods was witnessed in major cities ahead...

-Financial Express Except Madhya Pradesh, no other state has so far acted upon the Centre’s advisory, leaving farmers, the intended beneficiaries of the move, high and dry. The Centre’s April 4 directive to states, asking them to facilitate direct purchase of farm produce including grains, pulses and fruits and vegetables by big retailers, aggregators and food processors hasn’t produced any immediate results. Except Madhya Pradesh, no other state has so far acted...

-PTI/ Financial Express Paddy is the main kharif (summer) crop, besides pulses, oilseeds and commercial crops like cotton and sugarcane. The Union Agriculture Ministry on Thursday laid down the standard operating procedure (SOP) to guide farmers on safety precautions that need to be strictly followed during planting of kharif crops amid the threat of COVID-19 pandemic. Paddy is the main kharif (summer) crop, besides pulses, oilseeds and commercial crops like cotton and sugarcane....

-Hindustan Times After videos of people flouting of norms of social distancing went viral, officials banned the entry of general public in Ghaziabad’s biggest government vegetable market — Sahibabad Mandi. The officials said that from now on only the wholesalers and retailers will be allowed to enter the market and operations will take place between 10pm to 7am. The decision was taken by officials when, two days ago, some videos went viral...