Lok Sabha Question No. 127 (STARRED), answered on 2016-05-03
Subject: Farm Income
Ministry: AGRICULTURE AND FARMERS WELFARE
Asked by: J. JAYASINGH THIYAGARAJ NATTERJEE, RAM KUMAR SHARMA KUSHWAHA

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

## LOK  SABHA STARRED QUESTION NO. 127

TO BE ANSWERED ON THE 3 RD  MAY, 2016

## FARM INCOME

- *127.     SHRI J.J.T. NATTERJEE: SHRI RAM KUMAR SHARMA:

Will the Minister of AGRICULTURE AND FARMERS WELFARE कृ षि एवं ककसान कल्याण ½ãâ¨ããè be pleased to state:

- (a) whether the income from farm sector is less as compared to that of industrial and service  sectors  and  the  farmers  are  leaving  the  profession  of  agriculture  and  if  so,  the details thereof and the reasons therefor;
- (b) whether  the  Government  proposes  to  formulate  a  new  policy/scheme  for  farming sector so as to increase income of farmers;
- (c) if so, the details thereof and the steps taken/being taken by the Government to make the agriculture a viable profession and give the farmers a special and different treatment;
- (d) whether any panel/expert  group  has  recommended  reduction  in  the  investment  in agriculture as well as in irrigation in the country; and
- (e) if so, the details thereof and the reaction of the Government thereto?

## ANSWER

MINISTER OF AGRICULTURE AND FARMERS WELFARE

कृ षि एवं ककसान कल्याण ½ãâ¨ããè

(SHRI RADHA MOHAN SINGH)

- (a) to (e): A statement is laid on the Table of the House.

STATEMENT REFERRED TO IN REPLY TO PARTS (a) TO (e) OF LOK SABHA STARRED

QUESTION NO.  127  DUE FOR REPLY ON 3 RD  MAY, 2016.

(a) to (c): Income  from  farm  sector  is  less  as  compared  to  income  from  industrial  and services sector.  Though, the share of agriculture sector in total Gross Value Added in 2015-16 is only 15.3 percent at 2011-12 prices, the share of agricultural workers in the total workers in the country is 54.6 percent (Census 2011). Whereas the industry and services sector together account for 84.7 per cent of the Gross Value Added and only 45.40 percent of the total workers are engaged in these two sectors. As per the Census data, the total number of agricultural workers in the country increased from 234.1 million in 2001 to 263.0 million in 2011. Therefore, it cannot be categorically stated that farmers are leaving the profession of agriculture.

Less  income  is  due  to  low  productivity  in  the  agricultural  sector,  on  account  of preponderance  of  small  and  marginal  holdings  coupled  with  uncertainty  of  weather,  lack  of market access, lack of access to irrigation, etc.

Government has taken various steps to increase the income of farmers.  The schemes formulated  by  Government  are  aimed  at  increasing  the  production  and  productivity  of  the farmers, reducing their cost and market reform.  These, inter-alia, include: Krishionnati Yojana, Pradhan  Mantri  Krishi  Sinchai  Yojana,  Soil  Health  Card  and  Soil  Health  Management, Paramparagat  Krishi  Vikas  Yojana,  Organic  Value  Chain  in  North  Eastern  States,  National Agriculture  and  Technology  Mission,  National  Food  Security  Mission,  National  Sustainable Agriculture  Mission,  Pradhan  Mantri  Fasal  Bima  Yojana,  creation  of  national  market  and increasing access to agricultural credit etc.

(d) & (e): No, Madam.

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