The wheat harvest across India continues at a rapid rate amid confinement. Farmers and workers are complying with standard operating procedures related to harvesting and threshing crops during Kharif 2020. The Government of India, through the Department of Agriculture, Cooperation and Farmer Welfare, has distributed the SOP to the States for compliance to protect the health of farmers and farm workers and to contain the spread of the coronavirus.

As reported by States, about 98-99% of the wheat crop has been harvested in Madhya Pradesh, 92-95% in Rajasthan, 85-88% in Uttar Pradesh, 55-60% in Haryana, 60-65 % in Punjab and 87-88% in other states.

Procurement of pulses and oilseeds from farmers under the Price Support Plan Program (PSS) in the Rabi 2020-21 season is currently in progress in Karnataka, Andhra Pradesh, Telangana, Rajasthan, Maharashtra, Uttar Pradesh and Haryana . The acquisition status of these crops during the period of confinement is as follows:

• 72,415.82 MT Gram (Chana) have been purchased from 5 states, namely Andhra Pradesh, Telangana, Rajasthan, Maharashtra and Uttar Pradesh.
• 120,023.29 MT Toor Dal have been purchased from 7 states, namely Tamil Nadu, Telangana, Andhra Pradesh, Maharashtra, Karnataka, Gujarat and Odisha.
• 183,400.87 MT Mustard have been obtained from 3 States, Rajasthan, Uttar Pradesh and Haryana.

Meanwhile, the National Board of Horticulture (NHB) of India compiled information on "Available Planting Material" for fruits and vegetables from 618 NHB-accredited nurseries across the country. This information has been disseminated to the Indian Horticulture Confederation (CIH), Commodity Producer Associations, State Horticulture Missions, NHB State Offices and all related stakeholders, in order to facilitate farmers to purchase the planting material of choice for the next planting season.