Lok Sabha Question No. 1272 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2025-02-11
Subject: Increase in Agricultural Workforce
Ministry: AGRICULTURE AND FARMERS WELFARE
Asked by: Shri Tanuj Punia, Shri Saptagiri Sankar Ulaka, Shri Gaurav Gogoi

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

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 1272

TO BE ANSWERED ON THE 11 TH  FEBRUARY, 2025

## INCREASE IN AGRICULTURAL WORKFORCE

1272.  SHRI GAURAV GOGOI: SHRI SAPTAGIRI SANKAR ULAKA: SHRI TANUJ PUNIA:

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

- (a) the details of assessment of the recent increase in agricultural employment which now accounts for 46.1% of the workforce as of the year 2024 along with the key drivers behind this trend;
- (b)  the  measures  being  taken to support individuals returning to agriculture, particularly landless and small-scale farmers, in terms of access to credit, training and infrastructure;
- (c) the steps proposed to address the strain on natural resources such as land and water, caused  by  the  growing  agricultural  workforce,  and  to  promote  sustainable  farming practices;
- (d) the initiatives implemented by the Government to enhance productivity in the agricultural sector and to integrate agro-processing and value-chain development; and
- (e)  the  details  of  the  strategy  of  the  Government  to  create  alternative  employment opportunities in rural areas to prevent overcrowding in the agricultural sector?

## ANSWER

THE MINISTER OF STATE FOR AGRICULTURE AND FARMERS WELFARE क ृ िष एवं िकसान कʞाण राǛ मंũी (SHRI RAMNATH THAKUR)

- (a) to (e): The Government has adopted and implemented the number of policies, reforms, developmental programmes for agriculture sector in the country for farmers including smallscale farmers in terms of access to credit, training and infrastructure such as:
1.  Income support to farmers through PM KISAN,
2.  Pradhan Mantri Fasal Bima Yojana (PMFBY),
3.  Pradhan Mantri Krishi Sinchayee Yojana (PMKSY)
4.  Interest Subvention Scheme
5. Institutional credit for agriculture sector,
6.  Fixing  of  Minimum  Support  Price  (MSP)  at  one-and-a  half  times  the  cost  of production,
7.  Promotion of organic farming in the country,
8.  Per Drop More Crop,
9.  Micro Irrigation Fund,
10.  Promotion of Farmer Producer Organisations (FPOs),
11.  National Beekeeping and Honey Mission (NBHM),
12.  Agricultural Mechanization,
13.  Providing Soil Health Cards to farmers,
14.  Setting up of National Agriculture Market (e-NAM) extension Platform,
15.  Launch of the National Mission for Edible Oils - Oil Palm,
16.  Agri Infrastructure Fund (AIF),
17.  Improvement in farm produce logistics, Introduction of Kisan Rail
18.  Mission for Integrated Development of Horticulture (MIDH),
19.  National Food Security Mission,
20.  Rainfed Area Development (RAD) Programme under Rashtriya Krishi Vikas Yojana (RKVY)
21.  National Mission for Sustainable Agriculture (NMSA) etc.

Department  of  Agriculture  and  Farmers  Welfare  through  its  programmes  and schemes has targeted to bring in production efficiency for small and marginal farmers in the country. Sustainable farming practices, prototype integrated farming system models and  organic  farming  packages  cropping  systems  have  been  developed  to  provide technological backstopping to small and fragmented land holdings. The developed models increase  the  income  of  the  farmers  with  cost  reduction  for  inputs  related  to  fertilizers. Further, Agriculture being a State subject, the State Governments undertake implementation of agricultural schemes/programmes for the welfare of farmers including landless  farmers  and  the  Government  of  India  also  supplements  these  efforts  through implementation of various central sector/centrally sponsored schemes/programmes. The various schemes/programmes are meant to support States for the welfare of farmers by increasing production, remunerative returns and income support to farmers.

Indian  Council  of  Agriculture  Research  (ICAR)  under  Ministry  of  Agriculture  and Farmers Welfare  is  organizing  a number  of  trainings  for  farmers  (on  &  off-campus)  on 'Importance of Agriculture' and 'Improved Farm Practices' through on farm testing.

The  Government  is  implementing  Krishi  Vigyan  Kendras  (KVKs)  scheme  in  the Country with mandate of working as Single Window Agricultural Knowledge, Resource and Capacity  Development  Centre.  As  part  of  its  activities,  the  KVKs  impart  training  to  the farmers, farm women and rural youth on different aspects of agriculture and allied sectors (Crop Production, Horticulture, Soil Health and Fertility Management, Livestock Production and  Management,  Home  Science/Women  empowerment,  Agril.  Engineering,  Plant Protection, Fisheries, Production of Input at site, Agro forestry) for their capacity building.

The Government is implementing Paramparagat Krishi Vikas Yojana (PKVY) in all the States/UTs and Mission Organic Value Chain Development for North Eastern Region (MOVCDNER) to promote sustainable & organic farming. The schemes stress on end-toend  support  to  farmers  engaged  in  organic  farming  i.e.  from  production  to  processing, certification & marketing and post harvest management. Training and Capacity Building are integral part of the scheme. Integrated Pest Management (IPM) is encouraged eco-friendly approach,  which  is  an  encompassing  cultural,  mechanical,  biological  and  need  based chemical control measures. Central Integrated Pest Management Centres located in 28 States and 2 UTs train farmers on IPM. Further, Per Drop More Crop (PDMC) scheme under National Mission for Sustainable Agriculture (NMSA) promotes water use efficiency at  the  farm  level  through  Micro  Irrigation  technologies  i.e.  drip  and  sprinkler  irrigation systems.

Rainfed Area Development (RAD) scheme is being implemented as a component under NMSA from 2014-15 in the country. RAD focuses on Integrated Farming System (IFS) for enhancing productivity and minimizing risks associated with climatic variability.

Soil  Health Card (SHC) / Soil Health Management (SHM) scheme is operational through the State Governments under National Project on Management of Soil Health & Fertility. Now, this scheme has been merged as Soil Health Component of Rashtriya Krishi Vikas Yojana (RKVY) from the year 2022-23. The main objective of the scheme is to assist states  in  promoting  Integrated  Nutrient  Management  (INM)  through  judicious  use  of chemical  fertilizers  including  secondary  and  micro  nutrients  in  conjunction  with  organic manures & bio-fertilizers for improving soil health and its productivity.

The Agriculture Infrastructure Fund (Agri Infra Fund) helps to expand agro-based industries in villages by providing financial support and low-interest loans for developing infrastructure such as cold storage, warehouses, and processing units. The fund supports modern agricultural practices and technology adoption, boosting productivity and promoting diversification  into  various  agro-based  sectors  aiming  to  transform  rural  agriculture, enhance market access, and improve the livelihoods of farmers. It encourages entrepreneurship among farmers, FPOs, and start-ups, creating job opportunities.

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