Meet Jagadeesh, a dedicated farmer from Bengaluru, India, who lives with his father and uncle. Their family relies solely on agriculture, cultivating crops like guava, tomatoes, and beans to sustain their livelihood. However, the COVID-19 outbreak has brought unprecedented challenges to their doorstep.
Since the lockdown was imposed in Bengaluru, the entire city has been under strict restrictions, severely impacting both farmers and consumers. With people hesitant to venture out, Jagadeesh finds it increasingly difficult to sell his produce, leading to a significant drop in income.
The situation has left Jagadeesh deeply worried about the future. \"I don't know what will happen in the future,\" he expressed helplessly. The uncertainty forces him to consider taking loans from banks just to keep his business afloat while worrying about the ability to pay his workers.
Jagadeesh's story is a reflection of many farmers across India who are grappling with similar hardships. The lockdown, while necessary to control the spread of the virus, has inadvertently created a ripple effect on the agricultural community, highlighting the need for better support systems during such crises.
Stringer: Du Fengyan
Reference(s):
cgtn.com
