Lok Sabha Question No. 1324 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2024-07-30
Subject: Farmers committing Suicide
Ministry: AGRICULTURE AND FARMERS WELFARE
Asked by: Shri Shafi Parambil

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF AGRICULTURE AND FARMERS WELFARE

## DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE AND FARMERS WELFARE

## LOK SABHA

## UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.1324

TO BE ANSWERED ON THE 30 TH   JULY, 2024

## FARMERS COMMITTING SUICIDE

## 1324. SHRI SHAFI PARAMBIL:

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

- (a) the details of the number of farmers who committed suicide during the period betwee n 2010-24, State-wise;

(b) the details of the number of agricultural households that are in debt during the last te n years;

(c) whether the Government have implemented any programmes to support the farmers who are in a debt trap; and

(d) if so, the details thereof and if not, the reasons therefor?

## ANSWER

## MINISTER OF STATE FOR AGRICULTURE AND FARMERS WELFARE

कृ ͪष एवं ͩकसान कãयाण राÏय मंğी (SHRI RAMNATH THAKUR)

- (a): The National Crime Records Bureau (NCRB) under the Ministry of Home Affairs compiles and disseminates information on suicides in its publication titled 'Accidental De aths and Suicides in India' (ADSI). The report till 2022 is available on NCRB website (htt ps://ncrb.gov.in).
- (b): In NSS 77th round survey on Land and Livestock Holdings of Households and S ituation Assessment of Agriculture Households, conducted in rural areas of India during January-December, 2019, information on outstanding loan as on date of survey was coll ected from each of the surveyed agricultural households. From this survey, percentage of indebted agricultural households in India was found to be 50.2%.
- (c) & (d) : Agriculture being a State Subject, Government of India supplements the efforts of States through appropriate policy measures and budgetary support and variou s schemes/ programmes. The various schemes/ programmes of the Government of Indi a for the welfare to make farming more remunerative  and make the farmers financially more secure are annexed.

## Major achievements of the Department of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare since 2014

## 1.  Unprecedented enhancement in budget allocation

In the year 2013-14 the budget allocation of Department of Agriculture and Farmers' Welfare was only 21933.50 crore. This has increased by more than 5.5 times to Rs. 122528.77 crore in 2024-25.

## 2.  Income support to farmers through PM KISAN

Launch of PM-KISAN in 2019 -an income support scheme providing Rs. 6000 per year in 3 equal installments. More than Rs. 3.24 lakh crore has been released so far to more than 11 crore farmers as of now.

## 3.   Pradhan Mantri Fasal Bima Yojana (PMFBY)

Eight year (Provisional) - PMFBY was launched in 2016 addressing problems of high premium rates for farmers and reduction in sum insured due to capping. In past 8 Years of implementation - 62.60 crore farmer applications enrolled and over 17.80 crore  (Provisional)  farmer  applicants  have  received  claims  of  over  Rs.  1,60,838 crore.   During this period nearly Rs.32,280 crore were paid by farmers as their share of premium against which claims over Rs.1,60,838 crore (Provisional) have been paid to them. Thus for every 100 rupees of premium paid by farmers, they have received about  Rs. 498  as claims.

DigiClaim - For transparency in calculation and payment of claims, Claim Payment Module for payment of claims directly to the farmer's account through National Crop Insurance Portal (NCIP) using PFMS platform has been launched for implementation from  Kharif    2022  season  claims  onwards.  All  the  claims  are  now  been  paid  by insurance companies directly to farmers through Digiclaim.

## SARTHI Sandbox for Agricultural & Rural Security, Technology & Insurance :

It  is an innovative stride conceived by the Government.  Its primary goal is to augment the  financial  resilience  of  farming  community  against  multifaceted  Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) risks they encounter.  This pioneering platform goes beyond  traditional  crop  insurance,  aiming  to  provide  a  comprehensive  suite  of insurance products tailored mainly for farmers and rural India.

KRPH -Krishi Rakshak Portal and Helpline has been launched to create efficient grievance redressal mechanism for farmers under PMFBY.  A dedicated Centralized Toll  Free  Number  14447    has  been  launched  to  facilitate  query  resolution  and grievance redressal at national level.  On registration of complaint, a unique ticket number  is  created,  through  which  complainant  can  track  the  progress  of  their complaint.  Grievance is required to be resolved within stipulated time frame.  It will also help the State and Central Government to monitor the grievances.

## 4.    Institutional credit for agriculture sector

- Institutional credit target to Agriculture has increased more than 2.5 times since 2014-15 from ₹  8 lakh crores to ₹  20 lakh crores in 2023-24.
- Disbursement  of  easy  and  concessional  crop-loan  to  help  the  farmers  in accessing short-term agriculture credit from institutional sources has increased more than two times since 2014-15 from ₹ 6.4 lakh crore to ₹ 14.79 lakh crore in 2023-24.
- Interest  subsidy  given  to  farmers  through KCC  has  increased  2.4  times  since 2014-15 from ₹ 6000 crore to ₹ 14252 crores in 2023-24.
- The number of accounts of Small and Marginal Farmers availing agriculture loans increased from 57% in 2014-15 to 76 % in 2023-24.

## 5. Fixing of MSP at one-and-a half times the cost of production -

-  Government  has  increased  the  MSP  for  all  mandated  Kharif,  Rabi  and  other commercial crops with a return of at least 50 per cent over all India weighted average cost of production from 2018-19.
-  MSP for Paddy (common) has increased to Rs. 2300 per quintal in 2023-24 from Rs. 1310 per quintal in 2013-14.
-  MSP for Wheat increased from Rs. 1400 per quintal in 2013-14 to Rs. 2275 per quintal in 2023-24.

## 6.     (A) Paramparagat Krishi Vikas Yojana (PKVY)

The Parampragat Krishi Vikas Yojana (PKVY) is the first comprehensive scheme launched  in  2015-16  by  the  Central  Government  as  a  centrally  sponsored programme (CSP) for promotion of organic farming in the country.

-  Total fund released Rs 2078.67 Cr since 2015-16 (as on 30.06.2024).
-  Under PKVY Scheme 38043 clusters (20 ha each) formed, 8.41 lakh ha area covered (including LAC).
-  In addition to above under natural farming fund released for an area of 4.09 lakh  ha  area  to  8  States  and  Under  Namami  Gange  Programme  funds  Rs 272.85 crore has been released total  9551 clusters formed and 1.91 lakh ha area covered.
-  A  dedicated  online  web  portal-  www.Jaivikkheti.in/  has  been  created  to encourage, sale of organic products directly by farmers to consumers farming by directly  connecting  the  consumers.  On  Jaivik-kheti  portal  total  6.23  lakh farmers have been registered.
-  Various Brands have been developed by the State for marketing of Organic Produce under the PKVY Scheme.
-  Government  has  initiated  Large  Area  Certification  (LAC)  programme  since 2020-21 to certify large traditional/default organic areas such as hills, islands, tribal or desert belt with no past history of GMO and agro chemical uses.

 Under this programme 14,445 ha area under Car Nicobar and Nancowry group  of  islands  in  Union  Territory  of  A&N  Islands  have  been  certified  to transform entire territory of these islands to organic similar to Sikkim.

 Proposal of 5000 ha area has been received from Ladakh under LAC and fund Rs 11.475 lakh has been released.

-  The entire cultivable land of 2700 ha area of Lakshadweep have been certified organic under Large area certification
-  Under Large area certification fund Rs 96.39 lakh has been released for

## B)  Mission Organic Value Chain Development for North Eastern Region (MOVCDNER) Scheme

The MOVCDNER scheme aims at development of commodity specific, concentrated,  certified  organic  production  clusters  in  value  chain  mode  to  link growers with consumers and to support the development of entire value chain starting from inputs, seeds, certification, to the creation of facilities for collection, aggregation, processing, marketing and brand building initiative in Northeast Region (Arunachal Pradesh, Assam, Manipur, Meghalaya, Mizoram, Nagaland, Sikkim, and Tripura). The main focus of the scheme is on export of produce. The scheme was approved with an outlay of Rs. 400 crore for three years during the year 2015-16. The scheme has completed two phases of three years each and is now moving forward in Phase III.

## Summary Achievements

-  Total fund released Rs 1150.09 Cr since 2015-16 (as on 30.06.2024).
-  379 FPO/FPCs created covering 189039 farmers and 172966 ha area
-  394 Collection, Aggregation, Grading units, Custom  Hiring Centres, 123 processing        and  pack  house  entities  created  under  FPO/FPCs  and  private ownership
-  145 transportation vehicles provided to FPO/FPCs
-  7 states developed their own brands
-  Marketing  facilitation  of  ginger,  turmeric,  pineapple  and  king  chilli  have  been major success and FPCs have been supported with buyback agreements
-  The export of king chilli sauce, pineapple (canned) and ginger flakes to UK, USA, Australia, France and Swaziland have already started
-  Industry  mentorship  model  with  necessary  infrastructure  development  with  3 FPCs
-  Contract  production  of  Ginger  and  Turmeric  with  100%  buyback  assurance finalized with 3FPOs in Arunachal Pradesh with Parvata Foods
-  Contract cultivation of other high value crops such as Perila, black thai ginger and Calandula flowers is under process.

## C) National Mission on Natural Farming

-  Natural Farming is way of chemical free farming based on the livestock and locally available resources with no fertilizer and pesticides. GoI is promoting Natural Farming since 2019-20 through a sub-scheme 'BhartiyaPrakratikKrishiPaddhati - (BPKP)' under Paramparagat Krishi Vikas Yojna (PKVY) in limited area.
-  Under BPKP, 4.09 lakh ha area has been covered in 8 states Andhra Pradesh, Chhattisgarh, Kerala, Himachal Pradesh, Jharkhand, Odisha,  Madhya Pradesh and Tamil Nadu.
-  Prime Minister at various platforms has emphasized on the need to promote natural farming as mass movement. Hon'ble Finance Minister in her budget speech also, emphasized the need for promotion of agrochemical free natural farming.
-  Therefore, to achieve the vision of Hon'ble PM and Budget Announcement, a dedicated centrally sponsored schemes 'National Mission on Natural Farming

(NMNF)' is being launched.

-  Committee of Secretaries (CoS) and Expenditure Finance Committee (EFC) has recommended the launching of NMNF. A Cabinet Note to roll out NMNF is under process.

## 7.       Per Drop More Crop (PDMC)

Per Drop More Crop (PDMC) scheme launched during 2015-16 aims to increase water use  efficiency  at  the  farm  level  through  Micro  Irrigation  technologies  namely  Drip  and Sprinkler Irrigation systems to benefit the farmers in the country.

During the year 2015-16 to 2021-22, the PDMC was implemented as a component of Pradhan  Mantri Krishi Sinchayee Yojana (PMKSY). From the year 2022-23, the PDMC is being implemented under the Rashtriya Krishi Vikas Yojana (RKVY). Micro Irrigation helps in water saving as well as reducing fertilizer usage through fertigation, labour expenses, other input costs and in overall income enhancement of the farmers.

Under the Scheme, financial assistance of 55% to Small & Marginal farmers and 45% to Other farmers is provided for installation of Micro Irrigation systems. From the year 201516 to 2022-23, an area of 78.4 lakh ha has been covered under Micro Irrigation in the Country through the scheme which is about 81% higher as compared to the Pre-PDMC eight years period. This is a significant achievement.  Total of 89.87 lakh ha. area covered till march 2024.

An evaluation study of PDMC Scheme was taken up by the NITI Aayog during 202021,  which  reveals  that  the  scheme  is  relevant  in  achieving  national  priorities  such  as substantially improving on-farm water use efficiency, enhancing  crop  productivity, generating employment opportunities etc.; Income of farmers has increased in the range of 10% to 69%; Water use efficiency has improved in the range of 30% to 70% and created direct & indirect employment opportunities.

## 8.    Micro Irrigation Fund (MIF)

A  Micro Irrigation  Fund (MIF) of initial corpus Rs 5000 crore has been created with NABARD  with major  objective  to  facilitate  the  States  in  mobilizing  the  resources  for expanding coverage of Micro Irrigation. Under the funding arrangement, NABARD lends to the States/UTs at 3% lower interest rate than the corresponding cost of fund mobilized by NABARD from the market. The interest subvention on the loan under MIF is borne by Centre under PDMC.  Projects with loans under MIF worth Rs 4724.74 crore have been approved so  far.  Loans  amounting  Rs.  3387.80 crore  has  been  disbursed  to  States.  The  Ministry provides interest subvention on the loan availed by the States which is met from PDMC Scheme. As per the Budget Announcement of the year 2021-22, the corpus of the fund is to be doubled to Rs.10000 crores.

## 9.  Promotion of FPOs

A  new  Central  Sector  Scheme  for  Formation  &  Promotion of new  10,000  FPOs launched by Hon'ble Prime Minister on 29th February, 2020 with budget outlay of Rs 6,865 Crore till 2027-28.

As  on 30 th   June  2024, 8,872 no. of FPOs  have  been  registered  under  new  FPO scheme. Equity Grant of Rs. 209.9 Crore has been released to 4,135 FPOs . Credit Guarantee Cover worth Rs. 349.28 Cr . issued to 1,542 FPOs.

10. The National Beekeeping and Honey Mission (NBHM) was launched in 2020 as a part of the Atma Nirbhar Bharat Abhiyan, with an outlay of Rs.500.00 crores for three  years i.e.,  2020-21  to  2022-23.  The  scheme  has  been  extended  for further three years, i.e., 2023-24 to 2025-26, with the remaining budget of Rs.370.00 crores from  the  allocated  budget  of  Rs.500.00  crores  for  the  overall  promotion  and development of scientific beekeeping and to achieve the goal of "Sweet Revolution".

## 11. Agricultural Mechanization

Agricultural  mechanization  is  extremely  vital  to  modernize  agriculture  and  reduce drudgery of farming operations. During the period from 2014-15 to March, 2024 an amount  of  Rs.7265.00  crore  have  been  allocated  for  agricultural  mechanization. 18,16,221 numbers of machines and equipments have been provided to farmers on subsidy.     25,527  custom  hiring  centers,  594  high-tech  hubs  and  23,538  farm machinery banks have been established to make available agricultural machines and equipments to the farmers on rental basis. During 2024-25, Rs.69.99   Crore have been released to States.

12. Namo Drone Didi: The Government has also recently approved Central Sector Scheme for providing drones to the Women Self Help Groups (SHGs) with an outlay of Rs. 1261 Crores. The scheme aims to provide drones to 15000 selected Women SHGs for providing rental services to farmers for agriculture purpose (application of fertilizers and pesticides). Of the total 15,000 drones, first 500 drones will be procured by Lead Fertilizer Companies (LFCs) in 2023-24, using their internal resources for distribution to selected  SHGs.  Remaining   14500  drones  will  be  provided  under  this  scheme  and Central  Financial  Assistance  @  80%  of  the  cost  of  drone  and  accessories/ancillary charges up to a maximum of Rs. 8.0 lakhs will be provided to the women SHGs  for purchase  of  drones.  The  Cluster  Level  Federations  (CLFs)  of  SHGs  may  raise  the balance  amount  (total  cost  of  procurement  minus  subsidy)  as  loan  under  National Agriculture Infra Financing Facility (AIF).  Interest subvention @ 3% on the AIF loan will be  provided  to  the  CLFs.  The  scheme  will  help  in  infusing  advance  technology  in agriculture for improved efficiency, enhanced crop yield and reduced cost of operation for  the  benefit  of  farmers.  The  scheme  will  also  provide  sustainable  business  and livelihood support to SHGs and they would be able to earn additional income of at least Rs. 1.0 lakh per annum.

## 13. Providing Soil Health Cards to farmers

Soil Health Card Scheme was introduced in the year 2014-15 to optimize usage of nutrients. The following number of cards have been issued to farmers.

-  Cycle-I (2015 to 2017) - 10.74 crore
-  Cycle-II (2017 to 2019)- 12.19 crore
-  Model Village Programme (2019-20)- 23.71 lakh
-  In the year 2020-21- 14.57 lakh
-  In the year 2021-22 - No fund for Soil Samples were allocated to States/UTs.
-  In the year 2022-23 - 36.73 lakh
-  In the year 2023-24 - 36.76 lakh
-  In the year 2024-25 - 1.99 lakh

Regulations for promotion of biostimulants is issued. Nano urea is included under fertilizer control order.

## 14. Setting up of E-NAM extension Platform

The Department has integrated 1389 mandis with e-NAM across 23 States &4 UTs.

As on 30 th  June 2024, 1.77 crore Farmers & 2.59 Lakh traders have been registered on e-NAM portal. Total volume of 9.94 Crore MT & 36.39 Crore numbers (bamboo, betel leaves, coconut, lemon & sweet corn) collectively worth approximately Rs. 3.59 lakh crore of trade has been recorded on e-NAM platform.

## 15. Launch of the National Mission for Edible Oils - Oil Palm

A new Centrally Sponsored Scheme namely, National Mission on Edible Oil (NMEO)Oil Palm (NMEO-OP) has been launched during August,2021 with the aim to enhance the  edible  oils  availability  in  the  country  by  harnessing  Oil  Palm  area  expansion, increasing CPO production and to reduce the import burden on edible oil. The Mission will bring additional area of 6.5 lakh ha under Oil Palm plantation with 3.28 lakh ha in North-Eastern States and 3.22 in Rest of India with a total outlay of Rs. 11,040 crore in next 5 years from 2021-22 to 2025-26.

## 16. Agri Infrastructure Fund

A one Lakh Crore, Agriculture Infrastructure Fund (AIF) scheme was launched with an objective to mobilize a medium - long term debt financing facility for investment in viable projects for post-harvest management Infrastructure and community farming assets  through  incentives  and  financial  support  in  order  to  improve  agriculture infrastructure in the country. Following supports are being provided under Agri Infra Fund.

## 17. Improvement in farm produce logistics, Introduction of Kisan Rail.

Kisan  Rail  has  been  launched  by  Ministry  of  Railways  to  exclusively  cater  to movement of perishable agrihorti commodities. First Kisan Rail was started in July 2020. Till 28 th  February, 2023, 2359 services on 167 routes have been operated.

## 18. Mission for Integrated Development of Horticulture (MIDH) :

Details  of  physical  progress  under  the  major  components  of  NHM/HMNEH scheme of MIDH from 2014-15 to 2023-24 is as under:

-  Area Expansion: - An additional area of 13.79 lakh ha. of identified horticulture crops has been covered.
-  Nurseries: - 905 nurseries have been established for production of quality planting material.
-  Rejuvenation: - An area of 1.48  lakh ha. of old and senile orchards has been rejuvenated.
-  Organic Farming: - An area of 52259 ha. been covered under organic practices.
-  Protected Cultivation: - An area of 3.04 lakh ha. has been covered under Protected Cultivation.
-  Water Resources: - 54630  water-harvesting structures have been created.
-  Beekeeping: - 16.30 lakh bee colonies with hives have been distributed.
-  Horticulture Mechanization: -2.73 lakh horticulture mechanization equipment have been distributed.
-  Post-Harvest  Management  Infrastructures:  -  1.27  lakh  post-harvest  units  have been established.
-  Market Infrastructures: - 15923 market infrastructures have been set up.
-  Training of Farmers: - Under HRD, 9.73 lakh farmers have been trained under various horticulture activities.

## 19. Creation of a Start-up Eco system in agriculture and allied sector

So far, 1708 Start-ups working in agriculture & allied sector have been selected during FY 2019-20 to 2023-24 by different Knowledge Partners (KPs) and Agribusiness Incubators (R-ABIs).   Rs. 122.50 crore as grants-in-aid has been released in installments to the respective KPs & R-ABIs for funding to these selected start-ups under RKVY Agristartup Programme of Department of Agriculture & FW.

## 20. Achievement in Export of Agri and Allied Agri- Commodities

The country has witnessed emphatic growth in export of agri and allied commodities.  The major commodities which posted significant growth as compared to previous  year  have  been  Rice  Basmati  21.92%  (4787.65  to  5837.13  Million  USD), buffalo Meat 17.11% (3193.69 to 3740.16 Million USD), Spices12.17% (3785.36 to 4245.99 Million USD), cotton raw incld. Waste 55.13% (781.43 to 1115.49 Million USD), Fresh Fruits 32.46% (864.62 to 1145.24 Million USD), misc processed items 37.88% (1421.64 to 1652.22 Million USD) etc.

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