Agriculture sector likely to grow at 2.5% in FY21 despite Covid-19 lockdown: Crisil

05 Jun 2020 Evaluate

Crisil in its research report has said that even as nationwide lockdown due to Coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic has impacted various sectors, the agriculture could be the only bright spot for the Indian economy as it is likely to grow at a rate of 2.5 percent for the current financial year (FY21). However, it listed risks such as any likely impact of locust attacks and impact of lockdown on horticulture produce.

The report stated that with the pandemic and the ensuing lockdown, demand for horticultural produce is likely to be impacted more than that of food grains. It noted that the government has announced MSP hike for 14 kharif crops, assuring farmers 50-83 percent returns on their cost of production. However, it said horticulture produce is highly perishable in nature and its wholesale prices collapsed in April despite a sharp reduction in their mandi arrivals. Also, it said a number of standing crops, horticulture produce, which was not harvested because of problems in selling, witnessed locust attacks.

According to the report, livestock, milk is the largest contributor to this sector with a two-thirds share, followed by meat and a very small share of eggs. Fortunately, it noted that milk consumption from the household segment has remained largely stable despite the lockdown. Horticulture might have to bear some burns because of perishability. It added that milk, which comprises the biggest chunk of livestock, is expected to do well and on the other hand, meat, eggs, fishing and aquaculture are likely to face a prolonged impact, as there is a tendency to reduce consumption of non vegetarian food during the pandemic.

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