Lok Sabha Question No. 4855 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2025-04-01
Subject: Swaminathan Committee Report
Ministry: AGRICULTURE AND FARMERS WELFARE
Asked by: Ms. S Jothimani

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

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 4855

TO BE ANSWERED ON THE 1 ST  APRIL 2025

## SWAMINATHAN COMMITTEE REPORT

## 4855. MS. S JOTHIMANI:

Will the Minister of AGRICULTURE AND FARMERS WELFARE क ृ िष और िकसान कʞाण मंũी be pleased to state:

- (a) the number of recommendations of the Swaminathan Committee Report that have been implemented so far;
- (b)  whether  the  Government  has  considered  interest-free  credit  for  small  and  marginal farmers;
- (c) whether the Government has set a timeline for full implementation of the report;
- (d) if so, the steps being taken to address gaps in implementation of the recommendations;
- (e)  whether  the  Ministry  has  conducted  any  impact  assessment  of  the  implemented recommendations; and
- (f) the Government's stance on implementing the remaining recommendations?

## ANSWER

## THE MINISTER OF STATE FOR AGRICULTURE AND FARMERS WELFARE

क ृ िष और िकसान कʞाण राǛ मंũी (SHRI RAMNATH THAKUR)

- (a): Based on the 'Draft National Policy for Farmers', submitted by the Swaminathan Commission, the Government approved the 'National Policy for Farmers in 2007' (NPF 2007) aimed to improve economic viability of farming and increase net income of farmers. It contained 201 actionable points . All the action points of National Policy for Farmers have been implemented except 14 points, which were deemed not implementable in 2007, are in Annexure.

Of  these  14  recommendations  viz.  MSP  should  be  at  least  50%  higher  than weighted  average  cost  of  production,  to  enact  Food  Guarantee  Act,  Departments  of Agriculture in Centre be restructured as Ministry/Departments of Agriculture and Farmers' Welfare have subsequently been implemented by Govt. of India.

(b) to (f): The  government is implementing a 100% centrally funded  Central Sector Scheme known as the Modified Interest Subvention Scheme (MISS) across various States and UTs in pan India. This scheme aims to provide concessional interest rates on short- term  agricultural  loans  obtained  by farmers  through  Kisan  Credit  Cards  (KCC)  for  their working  capital  requirements.  Under  this  scheme,  farmers  receive  KCC  loans  at  a subsidized interest rate of 7%. To facilitate this, an up front interest subvention (IS) of 1.5% is  provided  to  financial institutions. Additionally,  farmers who  repay their loans promptly receive a 3% Prompt Repayment Incentive (PRI), effectively reducing the interest rate to 4% per annum. The benefits of IS and PRI are available for loan limits up to Rs.3 lakhs. However, if the short-term loan is taken for allied activities (other than crop husbandry), the loan amount is limited to Rs.2 lakhs only.  It has been announced in Budget Speech (202526) to enhance the credit limit from Rs. 3 lakhs to Rs. 5 lakhs. Benefit of this Scheme is available for crop as well as for livestock.

Various Schemes/Programmes have been initiated by Government to achieve the objectives  in  line  with  the  recommendation  of  Swaminathan  Commission.    Appraisal  of schemes, Centrally Sponsored  and Central Sector Schemes  are  made  as  per cycle  of Finance Commission and schemes are approved or modified by Cabinet accordingly.

Besides,  assessment of schemes/programmes  are  made  at  scheme  level, independently,  as  well  as  by  NITI  Aayog,  on  need  basis  and  periodic  modification  are undertaken.

## RECOMMENDATIONS MADE BY NCF BUT NOT INCORPORATED IN THE NATIONAL POLICY

|      | Gist of Recommendations                                                                                                                                     |
|------|-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|
| (a)  | To permit farmers to protect crops by killing wild boars, nilgai and to curtail free grazing of cattle in rabi season                                       |
| (b)  | MSP should be at least 50% higher than weighted average cost of production                                                                                  |
| (c ) | Formation of All India Agricultural Council                                                                                                                 |
| (d)  | To set up an Agricultural Risk Fund                                                                                                                         |
| (e)  | A Food Guarantee Act shall be enacted                                                                                                                       |
| (f)  | To establish an Indian Trade Organization to help Government to operate Livelihood Security Box for farmers and to link global policies with local action   |
| (g)  | Every State should set up a State Farmers Commission                                                                                                        |
| (h)  | To include Agriculture under Concurrent List under Article 246 of the Constitution.                                                                         |
| (i)  | Ministries and Departments of Agriculture in Centre and States may be restructured to become Ministry/Department of Agriculture and Farmers' Welfare.       |
| (j)  | National Livestock Development Council to be established at the National level. Livestock Feed & Fodder Corporations to be set up at the State level.       |
| (k)  | National Agricultural Biosecurity Council, National Centre for Agriculture Biosecurity and National Agricultural Biosecurity Network would be put in place. |
| (l)  | PDS would be made universal                                                                                                                                 |
| (m)  | Gram Panchayat Mahila Fund to assist women SHGs.                                                                                                            |
| (n)  | MSP and Procurement operations should be treated as two separate initiatives.                                                                               |

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