Why in news?
The National Sample Survey Office (NSSO) report for 2013-14, farmers’ average monthly income stood at Rs. 6,426.
At present as per the last survey available for 2016-17, it stands at Rs. 8,167.
India’s plan to Increase Farmers’ Income
- National Commission for Farmers was constituted in 2004, chaired by Prof. M. S. Swaminathan, to suggest methods for faster and more inclusive growth for farmers.
- Then, the Government of India in 2016 constituted an expert committee headed by Ashok Dalwai to look into the entire agriculture ecosystem in the country to suggest ways and means to reform it so that farmers’ income can be doubled by 2022.
- The Committee submitted its final report to the Government in September 2018.
Steps taken by the Indian Government
Institutional Reforms
- Pradhan Mantri Krishi Sinchai Yojana,
- Soil health card
- Prampragat Krishi Vikas Yojana
- Pradhan Mantri Fasal Bima Yojana– Provide insurance against crop and income loss and to encourage investment in farming.
- Interlinking of rivers (ILP) – To reduce dependence on Monsoon and Increase Crop Production
- ‘Operation Greens’– To address price volatility of perishable commodities like Tomato, Onion and Potato (TOP).
- PM Kisan Sampada Yojana– To promote food processing in a holistic manner.
Technological Reforms
- eNAM– A pan-India electronic trading portal.
- Technology mission on cotton which aims to increase the income of the cotton growers by reducing the cost of cultivation as well as by increasing the yield per hectare through proper transfer of technology to the growers.
- Technology Mission on Oilseeds, Pulses and Maize (TMOPM)
- Mission for Integrated Development of Horticulture (MIDH)- a scheme for the holistic growth of the horticulture sector.
- Sugar Technology Mission
- National Mission on Sustainable Agriculture– aims at promoting sustainable agriculture through a series of adaptation measures.
- In addition, schemes relating to tree plantation (Har Medh Par Ped), Bee Keeping, Dairy and Fisheries are also implemented.
