An Analysis of Impact of COVID -19 on Agriculture, Horticulture Crops and Livetocks in Krishna District, India

Abstract

The current study was carried out in Krishna District of Andhra Pradesh. Krishna district mainly agrarian district. The major agricultural crops grown in the district are paddy, cotton, Maize, blackgram, greengram, sugarcane, Groundnut Similarly, horticultural crops are chillies, mango, turmeric and buffalos, cows, sheep and goat are the major livestock population in the district. The impact of COVID-19 severely affected the supply chain of various crops that leads to decreases in the prices of various crops. By keeping in the view the present study was selected with an aim to assess the impact of Covid-19 in the Krishna district. The objectives of the study were impact of COVID-19 in agricultural, horticultural and livestock sector, post lock done preparedness of farmers in production and marketing aspects and constrains faced by farmers during Covid -19 in agriculture and allied sectors.  An Ex Post Facto research design followed for the study. The structured interview schedule was prepared for the study and a total of 60 respondents were selected  randomly from six villages of three mandals. Mean, median, frequency and percentage used for data analysis. The findings of the study were impact of covid-19 on production was (8.33%) in agriculture crops, (28.33%) in horticulture crops and (35.00%) on live stock.  Covid-19 impact on Farm gate prices was (25.00%) on agriculture crops, (86.70%) on horticulture crops and 21.66% on live stock.  Whereas impact on availability of inputs in agriculture is (20.00%), horticulture was (23.33%) and livestock was (28.33%) and on labour availability it was 68.33% in agriculture, 80% in horticulture and 40% in live-stock. Farmers during COVID-19 were lack of labour availability, farm labour is huge demand and very costly, market sale prices very less for produce and no marketing facility and cost of cultivation is high are the important constraints faced by the farmers. The study useful to policy makers to understand the impact of the pandemic on agrarian sector.