Lok Sabha Question No. 1593 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2019-07-02
Subject: Farmers’ Crisis
Ministry: AGRICULTURE AND FARMERS WELFARE
Asked by: Su Thirunavukkarasar

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF AGRICULTURE AND FARMERS WELFARE DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE, COOPERATION AND FARMERS WELFARE

## LOK  SABHA

UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 1593 TO BE ANSWERED ON THE 2 ND  JULY, 2019

## FARMERS' CRISIS

1593.    SHRI SU. THIRUNAVUKKARASAR:

Will the Minister of AGRICULTURE AND FARMERS WELFARE कृ ष एवं कसान कयाण मंी be pleased to state:

- (a) whether it is true that the farmers of the country are facing an array of risks relating to weather conditions, production/yield, crop prices, credit and  policy decision by the Government according to the second volume of Economic Survey 2016-17;
- (b) if so, the details thereof;
- (c) whether the Union Government has taken or proposes to take any steps to mitigate all these risks of farmers across the country;
- (d) if so, the details thereof; and
- (e) if not, the reasons therefor?

## ANSWER

MINISTER OF AGRICULTURE AND FARMERS WELFARE

## कृ ष एवं कसान कयाण मंी (SHRI NARENDRA SINGH TOMAR)

- (a) & (b): Economic Survey 2016-17 (Vol. II) has indicated that Indian farmers face risks related to production, weather, price, credit, market and policy. The details of these risks are given in the Annexure.
- (c) to (e): The Government has implemented various schemes to mitigate farming risk across the country which, inter-alia, includes: Interest Subvention Scheme, National Food Security  Mission,  Rashtriya  Krishi  Vikas  Yojana,  Pradhan  Mantri  Fasal  Bima  Yojana, Paramparagat  Krishi  Vikas  Yojana,  Pradhan  Mantri  Fasal  Bima  Yojana,  Paramparagat Krishi Vikas Yojana, Soil Health Card & Neem Coated Urea, Pradhan Mantri Krishi Sinchai Yojana,  Pradhan  Mantri  Kisan  Samman  Nidhi  (PM-KISAN),  National  Agriculture  Market (e-NAM), etc. In addition to above schemes, Minimum Support Prices are provided at the rate of 1.5 times the cost of production.

Annexure Annexure related to reply to part (a) & (b) of Lok Sabha UQ no. 1593 due for reply on 02.07.2019.

| Type of Risks                         | Causes                                                                                                        | Reasons for Severity                                                                     |
|---------------------------------------|---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|
| 1. Production risks                   | Pests, Diseases, Shortage of inputs like seeds/irrigation                                                     | Low productivity , declining yield                                                       |
| 2. Weather and Disaster related risks | High share of rainfed agriculture, Low irrigation coverage, drought, flooding, hailstorm and unseasonal rains | Production loss, Lower than potential production                                         |
| 3. Price risks                        | Lower than remunerative price                                                                                 | Absence of marketing infrastructure, Presence of and excessive profiteering by middlemen |
| 4. Credit risks                       | Predominance of informal sources of credit, money lenders, lack of capital for short term and long term loans | Absence of stable incomes/profits lead to defaults/indebtedness                          |
| 5. Market risks                       | Changes in demand/supply domestic or international                                                            | Loses market/market share                                                                |
| 6. Policy risks                       | Uncertain policies, regulations                                                                               | Impact of Government policies, APMC Act and other regulations                            |

Source: Economic Survey, 2016-17, Government of India

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