New Delhi: In view of the problems being faced by the farming community during the nationwide lockdown, a containment measure taken by the government to prevent spread of COVID-19, the Centre eased restrictions for agriculture-farming and allied activities. The move will also help ensuring uninterrupted harvesting of crops.

The Union Home Ministry has issued second Addendum to the Guidelines related to the nationwide lockdown issued vide its Order No.40-3/2020-DM-I(A) dated 24 & 25 March, 2020 in exercise of the powers conferred under Section 10(2)(I) of the Disaster Management Act with the Chairperson, National Executive Committee, an official statement issued by the Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers’ Welfare stated.

Under the second Addendum issued by the Union Home Ministry the following categories have been exempted from the lockdown:

i. Agencies engaged in procurement of agriculture products, including MSP operations;
ii. ‘Mandis’ operated by the Agriculture Produce Market Committee or as notified by the State Government;
iii. Farming operations by farmers and farm workers in the field;
iv. ‘Custom Hiring Centres (CHC)’ related to farm machinery;
v. Manufacturing and packaging units of fertilisers, pesticides and seed;
vi. Intra and Inter-State movement of harvesting and sowing related machines like combined harvester and other agriculture/horticulture implements

The Government of India has already issued necessary directions to the concerned ministries/departments and designated officials of the States and UTs in connection with this.