Study on Impact of COVID -19 Pandemic and shortterm Lockdown on Pineapple Industry in Keralastate of India

Abstract

Pineapple is a tropical fruit which has been cultivated for many centuries all over the world. COVID-19 had a serious impact on pineapple cultivation. The objective of the study is to analyze the short-term impact of Covid-19and related lockdownon pineapple industry in Kerala. Secondary data has been collected from various sources like VazhakulamResearch Station, Newspapers, Magazines and online official reports of Government of Kerala. The lockdown declared during the harvest season,hit the industry very badly. Farmers became neck deep in debtand the industry also witnessed the suicide of an experienced pineapple farmer. They had even kept the field idle because of the shortage of migrant laborers. The study suggestsan intervention from the part of Government in the form of better subsidies and support price and further research and development programs like value addition to pineapple.