Lok Sabha Question No. 1292 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2024-12-03
Subject: Survey on Farmers living Below the Poverty Line
Ministry: AGRICULTURE AND FARMERS WELFARE
Asked by: Shri Devesh Chandra Thakur, Smt. Manju Sharma

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

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 1292

TO BE ANSWERED ON THE 3 RD  DECEMBER, 2024

## SURVEY ON FARMERS LIVING BELOW THE POVERTY LINE

## 1292. SMT. MANJU SHARMA: SHRI DEVESH CHANDRA THAKUR:

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

- (a) whether the Government has conducted any survey to assess the number of farmers including marginal farmers living below the poverty line;
- (b) if so, the details thereof, State-wise;
- (c)  whether  the  Government  has  formulated  any  welfare  scheme  for  such  poor  and  marginal farmers;
- (d) if so, the details thereof; and
- (e) the number of farmers benefitted from the said special/welfare schemes?

## ANSWER

THE MINISTER OF STATE FOR AGRICULTURE AND FARMERS WELFARE क ृ ͪष एवं ͩकसान कãयाण राÏय मंğी (SHRI BHAGIRATH CHOUDHARY)

- (a) & (b): No specific survey has been conducted to assess the number of farmers including marginal farmers living below the poverty line.
- (c) to (e): The Government of India has implemented various welfare schemes for farmers, with a special focus on supporting poor and marginal farmers under the broader framework of agricultural development  in  the  country.  These  schemes  are  specifically  designed  to  address  the  economic challenges faced by poor and marginal farmers and to improve their livelihoods.

Major welfare schemes for farmers including marginal and poor farmers include:

1. Pradhan  Mantri  Kisan  Samman  Nidhi  (PM-KISAN):  This  scheme  provides  direct  financial assistance  to  the  agricultural  land  holding  family  farmers  to  supplement  their  income.  Under  the scheme, about Rs 20,000 Crore has been disbursed to around 9.58 Crore farmers in 18 th  instalment in October, 2024. So far, more than Rs.3.46 lakh Crore has been disbursed.
2. PM Fasal Bima Yojana (PMFBY): PMFBY was launched to ensure comprehensive risk cover for crops to farmers against all non-preventable natural risks from pre-sowing to post- harvest and to provide adequate claim amount. In past 8 Years of implementation - 68.85 crore farmer applications enrolled and over 18.65 crore farmer applicants have received claims of over Rs. 1,65,966/- crore.
3. Pradhan Mantri Kisan Maan Dhan Yojana (PM-KMY):  A pension scheme aimed at providing financial security to small and marginal farmers. Since the inception of the scheme, over 23.41 lacs small and marginal farmers have joined the PM-KMY scheme.
4. Modified Interest Subvention Scheme (MISS): The Interest Subvention Scheme (ISS) provides concessional short term agri-loans to the farmers practicing crop husbandry and other allied activities like animal husbandry, dairying and fisheries.
5. Agriculture Infrastructure  Fund (AIF): AIF was launched under Aatmanirbhar Bharat Package with a vision to transform the agriculture infrastructure landscape of the country. AIF is a medium long  term  debt  financing  facility  for  investment  in  viable  projects  for  post-harvest  management infrastructure  and  community  farming  assets  through  interest  subvention  and  credit  guarantee support. Till 19-11-2024, Rs. 51,239/- Crore has been sanctioned by banks under the scheme for setting up 83,763 projects.
6. Rashtriya Krishi Vikas Yojana (RKVY): A scheme aimed at enhancing agricultural productivity and farmers' welfare through state-specific projects.
7. Market  Intervention  Scheme  and  Price  Support  Scheme  (MIS-PSS):  The  objective  of intervention is to protect the growers of these commodities from making distress sale in the event of a bumper crop during  the  peak  arrival  period  when  the  prices  tend  to  fall below economic levels and cost of production.
8. National Agriculture Market (e-NAM): An online trading platform that allows farmers to sell their produce directly to buyers, eliminating middlemen.

The Government remains committed to improving the livelihoods of marginal and poor farmers through these and other welfare measures.

*****