How is the combine harvester work under COVID-19

        In some places of South Asia, where harvesting is already done, farmers are not ready to bring their crops to market due to the fear of getting infected by coronavirus. In many other places, harvesting is yet to be in full steam, due to various restrictions and non-availability or shortage of labour,” said a government official. The easing of restrictions on the agriculture sector has shown some results, but return to normalcy will take time.

        There are no combine harvesters (machines) available for wheat. Without labour, it is very difficult to harvest this key rabi crop,” said Anil Singh, a farmer in Mitai village near Hathras. Many other farmers in the village too are waiting for the arrivals of harvesters to do the cutting.

        Regarding South Asia’s field crops, their quality and the quantity harvested are dependent on the timely acquisition of inputs and the start of the necessary processes. The growing season for the summer crops is almost finished and harvesting has already started. This requires labour, not only for the actual harvesting, but also for transport and storage operations. Also required are agricutlure machinery and the associated machinery spare parts, such as transmission Chain and rubber belt etc.

        For the winter crops, the planting period will start in the near future. These crops include barley, canola and wheat, and farmers have to start preparing their lands for them. This will require farm machinery and spare parts,especially rubber belt and Chain, which is belong easy damage spare parts, farm machinery operators, and the prompt availability of seeds, fertilisers, other chemicals, fuel and other inputs, plus technology support and/o r repair services.

        "It is clear that agricultural operations are dependent on a number of inputs, including labour, plant protection chemicals, fertiliser, packaging materials and feed," points out the BFAP in its report. “The supply of these inputs relies on the effective functioning of value chains, whether formal or informal, and disruptions in any node could risk food security and/or loss in income and jobs. Amid the Covid-19 crisis, significant volatility and poor economic prospects going forward, the agricultural input supply chain faces a number of challenges and will be tested severely.”