The Covid-19 Lockdown and Its Impact on the Agri-Food Supply Chain in India: Insights from Government Policy Perspective

Abstract

The outbreak of the Covid-19 pandemic is an unprecedented shock to the Indian economy. Agriculture being the backbone of the Indian economy has been severely affected by the shock waves of the Covid-19 pandemic and subsequent lockdown. In this paper, we have documented the evidences of the Covid-19 impact on Indian agri-food supply chain viz., production, post-harvest handling &storage, processing & packaging, distribution and consumption. In addition, we have analyzed the policies announced by the government in mitigating the impact of the shock and revitalizing the Indian agriculture. Finally, we have put forward some policy recommendations for future consideration.