Farmers should maintain social distancing, take precaution while harvesting crops: ICAR

As rabi harvesting possible to decide on up in the coming times, the government’s agri-research human body ICAR on Saturday requested farmers to adhere to social distancing and protection precaution when handling farm equipment and labour in the area.

For tackling any rising issue relevant to taking care of crops, livestock and fisheries, farmers must talk to and be in contact with agri-experts in Krishi Vigyan Kendras (KVKs), ICAR research institutes and state agricultural universities for timely advisories, it reported.

“The ailment crisis has coincided with the harvesting season of rabi foods crops these kinds of as wheat, millets, pulses and oilseeds and other crops. We require to take precautions as we will be engaged in the harvesting of grains, fruits and vegetables, milk, eggs and fish,” Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR) Director General Trilochan Mohapatra reported in a statement.

In the same way, good sanitation is essential for applying shared or hired machinery for harvesting, he reported, introducing easy steps on washing of fingers with cleaning soap, liquor rub and keeping isolation distance at personal amount and good cleansing of shared machinery are to be adopted.

It is the time to religiously adhere to the appeal of Primary Minister Narendra Modi of keeping personal hygiene and isolation by anyone for arresting the neighborhood transmission of the ailment and endangering of thousands and thousands of lives, he added.

“My needs for the perfectly staying of all farmers across the nation at this vital time as we all deal with the pandemic of COVID-19,” Mohapatra reported, introducing that the govt has taken numerous actions in purchase to protect against the unfold of an infection.

The govt has exempted farming functions, farm personnel, customized employing centres of farm harvesters and implements as perfectly as mandis and procurement agencies from the lockdown principles.

It has authorized fertiliser retailers to purpose and even producing and packaging of fertilisers, pesticides and seeds has been permitted for the duration of the lockdown time period.

Inter and intra motion of farm machinery relevant to sowing and harvesting are also exempted from the lockdown principles.