-The Hindu Amid stories of farmers struggling to sell their produce due to the lockdown, there is also a ray of hope in those who sell locally, creating more self-sufficient communities Vegetables are the new gold. Whoever thought one would dream of roasted potato and carrot raita? These are strange times. After we venture out to buy them, mask and gloves on, we (hopefully) return triumphant, our bags bulging with carrots, beans,...
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Farmers are at their wits’ end -R Ramakumar
-The Hindu As global trade falls and supply disruptions persist, a prolonged lockdown will adversely affect food security The COVID-19 pandemic has led to global concerns on the state of agriculture and food security. On the one hand, the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) has warned of a “food crisis” if countries do not protect vulnerable people from hunger and malnourishment. On the other, farmers face a stalemate as they are unable...
More »Explained: Sampling bias drove sensationalist reporting around Tablighi coronavirus cases -Shoaib Daniyal
-Scroll.in The large proportion of Tablighi positives is simply due to the large number of people who were tested from the event, even as overall testing remains low. Like the rest of the world, India is battling the coronavirus pandemic. However, here the public conversation over the past week has focussed inordinately on only one facet of the disease: its link with the Tablighi Jamat, a Muslim religious group. A Tablighi Jamat event,...
More »ILO: COVID-19 causes devastating losses in working hours and employment
-International Labour Organisation News The COVID-19 pandemic is having a catastrophic effect on working hours and earnings, globally. A new ILO report highlights some of the worst affected sectors and regions, and outlines policies to mitigate the crisis. GENEVA: The COVID-19 crisis is expected to wipe out 6.7 per cent of working hours globally in the second quarter of 2020 – equivalent to 195 million full-time workers. Large reductions are foreseen in the...
More »Reducing farm distress during a pandemic -Himanshu
-The Hindu The government has an opportunity to help farmers who are battling declining demand and lower prices Social distancing and living under a lockdown appear to be the only effective ways of dealing with the pandemic. As India lacks the resources to significantly ramp up testing, imposing a lockdown was the government’s preferred option. Although there is limited evidence to suggest that this strategy may be working in containing the spread...
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