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

As rabi harvesting probable to choose up in the coming times, the government’s agri-research physique ICAR on Saturday questioned farmers to adhere to social distancing and basic safety precaution though managing farm machines and labour in the subject.

For tackling any emerging situation related to taking care of crops, livestock and fisheries, farmers should really consult and be in touch with agri-scientists in Krishi Vigyan Kendras (KVKs), ICAR research institutes and state agricultural universities for timely advisories, it explained.

“The condition crisis has coincided with the harvesting period of rabi food crops this kind of as wheat, millets, pulses and oilseeds and other crops. We need to consider safety measures as we will be engaged in the harvesting of grains, fruits and greens, milk, eggs and fish,” Indian Council of Agricultural Exploration (ICAR) Director Standard Trilochan Mohapatra explained in a assertion.

Likewise, proper sanitation is demanded for utilizing shared or hired machinery for harvesting, he explained, incorporating basic steps on washing of palms with cleaning soap, liquor rub and keeping isolation distance at personalized stage and proper cleansing of shared machinery are to be adopted.

It is the time to religiously adhere to the enchantment of Primary Minister Narendra Modi of keeping personalized hygiene and isolation by all people for arresting the community transmission of the condition and endangering of tens of millions of lives, he extra.

“My wishes for the nicely staying of all farmers throughout the country at this significant time as we all facial area the pandemic of COVID-19,” Mohapatra explained, incorporating that the authorities has taken several steps in purchase to stop the unfold of infection.

The authorities has exempted farming functions, farm personnel, customized employing centres of farm harvesters and implements as nicely as mandis and procurement organizations from the lockdown procedures.

It has authorized fertiliser stores to function and even producing and packaging of fertilisers, pesticides and seeds has been permitted throughout the lockdown time period.

Inter and intra movement of farm machinery related to sowing and harvesting are also exempted from the lockdown procedures.