An Indian farmer carries rice seedlings from a paddy field at Nimati village, some 300 km from Guwahati, the capital of Assam. (BIJU BORO/AFP/Getty Images)A survey carried out across nine states earlier this month has revealed that demonetisation has had no immediate impact on agriculture. Heads of gram panchayats in 48 districts of these states were surveyed by the India Development Foundation.
The area under rabi (the winter crop) cultivation has actually gone up, thus giving the lie to critics' contention that demonetisation has prevented farmers from procuring seeds for the rabi crop. The use of fertilisers for the rabi crop has also increased in 65 per cent of the areas surveyed.
The survey, carried out between 10-20 January, also revealed that 56 per cent of the gram panchayats reported a rise in the use of agricultural labour. Critics of demonetisation have been contending that the currency swap has severely affected agriculture as farmers don't have money to buy seeds and fertilizers and hire labourers.
Also Read:
DeMo Effect On Agriculture ‘Small And Insignificant’, Its Growth Story Intact: NITI Aayog
An Appeal...
Dear Reader,
As you are no doubt aware, Swarajya is a media product that is directly dependent on support from its readers in the form of subscriptions. We do not have the muscle and backing of a large media conglomerate nor are we playing for the large advertisement sweep-stake.
Our business model is you and your subscription. And in challenging times like these, we need your support now more than ever.
We deliver over 10 - 15 high quality articles with expert insights and views. From 7AM in the morning to 10PM late night we operate to ensure you, the reader, get to see what is just right.
Becoming a Patron or a subscriber for as little as Rs 1200/year is the best way you can support our efforts.