Impact of Government Support Schemes on Farmers in Karnataka After 2020

The COVID-19 pandemic significantly disrupted agricultural activities in India, exposing farmers to income instability, labour shortages, and market uncertainties.In Karnataka, where agriculture supports a large rural population and is predominantly dependent on small and marginal farmers, government support schemes became a crucial mechanism for crisis mitigation and recovery.This study examines the impact of government support schemes on farmers in Karnataka after 2020, focusing on income security, production continuity, adoption of sustainable practices, and resilience building.Using secondary data from government publications, policy reports, and peer-reviewed studies, the paper analyses major schemes implemented during and after the pandemic period.The findings indicate that direct income support, input subsidies, credit facilitation, crop insurance, and irrigation development significantly contributed to stabilising farm livelihoods.However, implementation challenges such as awareness gaps, regional disparities, and exclusion of vulnerable farmer groups continue to limit the overall effectiveness of these interventions.The study highlights the need for inclusive, well-targeted, and digitally accessible policy frameworks to strengthen farmer welfare in the post-pandemic era.