-Society for Social and Economic Research Monograph 20/3 Key Messages Lack of planning and preparation by the Central government for tackling the COVID-19 pandemic has dealt a massive blow to India’s economy and has caused enormous hardships to working people of the country. Harvesting of Rabi crops • Unplanned and sudden imposition of the lockdown resulted in a massive and unprecedented disruption to agricultural activities such as harvesting, sale of agricultural produce, and purchase...

-The Tribune Jalandhar: As numbers of coronavirus cases are on the rise in the country and PM Modi announced janta curfew on Sunday, residents have a perception that the Central Government might impose a lockdown till March 31. Thus, they are rushing to grocery stores and vegetable stalls to stock up on essentials. At grocery stores in the city, including Easy Day, Big Bazaar, Reliance and D-Mart, and roadside vegetable stalls, people...

-Livemint.com * Despite the slowdown in rural demand, the spike in food prices is not showing any signs of cooling. Here’s why * This is the best time for the budget to address the volatility in food prices. Reliable market intelligence on crop production and timely advisories to farmers can help stabilize prices New Delhi: For more than five years now, the Indian countryside has only heard stories of anguish. Consecutive years of...

-Livemint.com * E-trading introduced as part of agriculture reforms has had limited impact on farmers, say farm experts * E-trading has had limited impact on the agricultural community, which continues to be at the mercy of the middlemen BENGALURU: It has been four months since 24-year-old Chandan from Mallehalli village in Mysuru district sold his produce of around 1,000kg of tomatoes in the local market. At nearly Rs.500 for 20kg, prices were good...

-The Indian Express Tomatoes-onions-potatoes face extreme price volatility. Addressing it requires sustainable solutions, not temporary ad hoc measures. Last month, on September 13, when onion retail prices crossed Rs 40/kg in Delhi, the government was hyperactive and imposed a minimum export price (MEP) of $850/tonne. Later on, as prices went further up to Rs 50-60/kg, stocking limits were imposed on traders and exports of onions were banned. It created problems in...