Covid-19 & Food Security

Why in news?

The agriculture sector needs to be reformed for ensuring food security.

What should be the priority?

• India has contained the mortality rate from Covid-19 infections at around 3.3% (global average 7%).
• The real test will come when the lockdown is lifted.
• Next to saving lives is the necessity of having food to survive.
• Despite initial disruptions in supply lines, India has somehow managed to feed its population of 1.37 billion.
• If there is any complaint, it is from the producer’s side that the prices of perishables have collapsed in some parts of the country.
• But, for the consumer’s side, supply lines were quickly restored and food is easily available in the markets at reasonable prices.

What needs to be complimented?

• Those in the government managing the food logistics deserve to be complimented for keeping supply lines for essential food running.
• States must also be lauded for having done a remarkable job of procuring the main rabi crop, wheat.
• A flawless procedure of issuing tokens to farmers and opening several additional wheat procurement centres is commendable.
• Also, having a good logistics facility to procure and move the products to states that face a deficit is also commendable.
• Since the India Meteorological Department has forecasted a normal monsoon, India’s food situation may remain comfortable in FY 2020-21.

How will Agriculture be helpful currently?

• Agriculture may be the only sector that registers a respectable growth this year.
• This will help absorb the shock of the coronavirus on extreme poverty and malnutrition.
• We need to build on the success and resilience of agriculture.
• This calls for large-scale reforms in agri-marketing as well as in the public distribution system (PDS).

What changes could be made?

• APMC - The APMC markets can keep doing their business as usual.
• But the channels for direct buying from farmers/farmer producer organisations (FPOs) can be opened.
• Buyers - Any registered large buyer must be encouraged by providing them with a license, which is valid all over India.
• Buyers should be exempted from any market fee and other cesses as they will not be using the services of the APMC market yards.
• E-NAM - It can flourish if grading and dispute settlement mechanisms are put in place.
• Private mandis with modern infrastructure need to be promoted in competition with APMCs.
• PDS - On the PDS front, we need to move towards cash transfers that can be withdrawn from anywhere in the country.

Source: Business Standard