Nagaland farmers advised to avoid field-level spread of Covid-19

GUWAHATI/DIMAPUR: The Nagaland agriculture department today advised the farmers of the state to avoid field-level contagious spread of COVID-19 during farming activities.

An advisory issued by the agriculture directorate said four to five feet space or line assigning of one strip to one farmer or labour should be maintained during manual field operations.

This will ensure adequate spacing between the engaged labourers by maintaining social distancing, it said.

The advisory asked all the farmers to compulsorily use surgical mask or double layered scarf that adequately covers the nose and mouth.

The advisory also asked the farmers to ensure hand washing with soap and water frequently and wash cloths after use every day.

The farmers were advised to maintain safe distance of three to four feet during rests and while taking meals and not to share it with others.

The farmer’s were also advised to drink plenty of water during farm operations to avoid dehydration.

The farmer’s have also been asked to plan all the field activities in a phased manner wherever possible and avoid engaging more number of farmers on the same day in any farm.

The farmers were also asked to engage only the healthy people or labourers to the extent possible and after reasonable enquiry so as to avoid the entry of any likely carrier of Covid-19 during field activity.

All agricultural tools and implements or any other items used by one farmer should be sanitised and should not be exchanged in any manner, the advisory said.

The farmers have been also asked to follow the standard safety guidelines during the visit to market for purchase of farm inputs or sale of products and avoid crowded areas.

On the other hand, the department advised the farmers to stay in their respective farms till the agriculture and agronomic practices are completed if the farming operations require days to complete in order to save time and for their safety and their families.

Also Read: Manipur announces preponed summer vacation from May 1 to 31 in view of COVID surge

The farmers were also asked to consult or contact the district agriculture officer or sub-divisional agriculture officer or ATMAs of their district or sub-division for any further advisories or queries.

(With inputs from Bhadra Gogoi in Dimapur)

Follow us on Facebook