NEW DELHI: Ahead of imminent extension of lockdown , the Confederation of India Industry, an industry lobby group, has suggested a number of measures to agriculture ministry for smooth operations of farm activities and pitched for leveraging strength of over 700 Krishi Vigyan Kendras (KVKs) - agri extension service centres under the ICAR - to ensure safety and hygiene during harvest and post-harvest works.These suggestions, submitted to agriculture ministry on Sunday, include multiple measures on movement of farm labourers, transportation and maintaining social distancing during soil preparation, nursery preparation, planting, cultivation and harvesting.The CII, in its comprehensive document on safety measures, also enlisted who all should necessarily be given permit for smooth operations of farm activities and suggested how to use KVKs for effective implementation of guidelines.Currently, 718 KVKs with staff strength of nearly 5,000 under its nodal authority - Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR) - are involved with various activities to make farmers aware of the government’s guidelines and exemptions available to them during the lockdown period.“We are already leveraging the strength of the KVKs in making farmers aware of those guidelines. Over 5.5 crore farmers have been reached through SMS (text messages) during the lockdown period,” said an official of agriculture ministry.The CII has suggested that the KVKs, spread over all districts across the country, should also be used in identifying isolation rooms as part of emergency preparedness.“The agri and food supply chains are vulnerable to massive disruptions which can further impact availability and prices, hence proactive measures for safety and health of farmers and workers are required at both farm as well as mandi level. While the country is in lockdown mode, it is essential that harvesting and post-harvest activities remain functional so that farmers do not suffer and crops are not lost,” said Chandrajit Banerjee, director general, CII, in a statement while urging the government to consider the recommendations that are critical for safe farm operations.Earlier, another industry lobby group, FICCI, too had suggested a number of measures to the ministry.Govt starts call centre for coordinationIn order to coordinate between states for inter-state movement of perishables commodities (vegetables, fruits & flowers) and agri inputs like seeds, pesticides and fertilizer, the agriculture ministry on Sunday opened an ‘All India Agri Transport Call Centre’ on trial basis. It’ll be available to users on dedicated numbers from April 15 onwards when the ministry would formally launch it. The numbers, once released, can be called from any mobile or landline phones.“Truck drivers, traders, retailers, transporters or any other stakeholders, who are facing problems in inter-state movement of above commodities, may seek help by calling at the Call Centre,” said the ministry. The Call Center will forward the vehicle and consignment details and information on other helps, which may be needed, to state government officials for resolution of issues.