Covid-19 and its effect on agro industry in India...

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 The Pandemic, ever since it has started showing its fangs, have changed many things-our living styles, food habits, precautionary measures, behavioural pattern, buying habits , interactive relationships etc. But the most ‘enamoured’ among them has been the enormous effect it has had on economy. The industries that were closed during initial lockdown are still limping to get back to normalcy. The manufacturing sector not only suffers from availability of skilled workers but also from unsure supply of raw materials. The entire industrial sector is suffering from uncertainties due to irregular capital inflow. The malice is certainly appearing bigger than what it was comprehended earlier.


One such sector that has been threatened by the pandemic is the agro-industry especially sugar industry. India is presently the largest manufacturer of sugar with annual production touching around 270 lakh tonnes; the state of Maharashtra accounting for a little more than half of those quantity. Maharashtra has around 441 sugar mills mostly belonging to co-operative sector. The sugar season begins in October and the crushing of cane continues upto May depending upon availability of cane. One of the  major contributions in the entire process of sugar manufacture is the harvesting of sugar cane. The sugar cane cutters, mostly belonging to Vidarbha and Marathwada region 

, are apprehensive of going to Western Maharashtra which is severely affected by the spread of Covid-19. The sugar mills in western Maharashtra account for nearly half of those in the State. It is true that districts like Sangli, Satara, Pune, Solapur and Kolhapur are under severe stress as the infection there has spread almost at community level. The district administration are finding it hard to restrict the spread. It is quite understandable the reluctance of migrating workers from other districts coming to Western Maharashtra for sugar cane cutting which is though tedious is a skilled job. Crushing of cane in Maharashtra is slated to begin on 15th of October this season. A comprehensive measure is required to be in place to deal with the issue in order to sustain the sugar industry which is an integral part of agro industry beside dominating the political scenario in the State.


The issue has been giving headache to the district administrations and the powers that run the sugar mills in equal proportion. It is heard that in order to tackle the issue temporary sheds are being erected in and around the mills with beds to be used as covid centres for treating patients who are engaged in harvesting the cane.

Allied infrastructure like supply of medicines and oxygen is also being ensured. Needless to say that the harvesting workers who migrate from other places need to be sure of their safety and related health issues.


It is hoped that with the district administration and mill management on their toes the problem of cane harvesting will be solved soon. The crushing season must begin as scheduled or else it will have debilitating effects on economy and welfare of people associated with it-directly or indirectly.


The state government, local authorities and the mill management are doing their part. Let esteemed readers come up with their own ideas to tackle this enormous issue so that everyone stands to benefit. Let the sweetness  help resuscitate the sagging economy.

Comments

  1. UnknownSeptember 20, 2020 at 9:43 AM

    This is a serious issue.
    Those involved must find solution or else sugar industry already under pressure will find it difficult to survive.

    ReplyDelete

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