Vol. 9, Issue 7, Part C (2025)

The COVID-19 pandemic, unprecedented in both scale and scope, brought far-reaching disruptions to the agricultural sector in India, particularly affecting rural livelihoods and farming communities. This research investigates the multifaceted effects of the pandemic-induced national lockdown on agricultural households, with a focus on three states: Andhra Pradesh, Telangana, and Maharashtra. The study employs both quantitative and qualitative methodologies to analyze changes in agricultural productivity, access to essential inputs, market participation, wage income, and food security among 500 farming households from 30 districts. Findings reveal that the pandemic disproportionately impacted vulnerable segments such as landless and smallholder farmers. The allied sectors, including dairy, poultry, and fisheries, also suffered major setbacks, with fisheries facing the steepest decline in production. Wage-based rural employment plummeted, with an average household income loss of over 70%, further intensifying the rural livelihood crisis. However, the support was unevenly distributed, and many larger farmers lacked access to or information about these programs. This study underscores the crucial intersection of farm size, education, gender, and age in determining the adaptive capacity of agricultural households. It highlights the urgent need for inclusive policies that strengthen rural resilience—through improved market access, mechanization support, targeted subsidies, decentralized procurement systems, and tailored welfare measures. The research concludes that building robust and adaptable food systems, enhancing digital market linkages, and fostering local resource systems are imperative to safeguarding farming communities against future shocks, whether from pandemics, climate variability, or economic disruptions.