New Delhi: Minister of State for Agriculture and Farmers Welfare Ramnath Thakur informed the Rajya Sabha that the Government of India continues to push forward a comprehensive strategy to achieve the long-term goal of doubling farmers’ income, with all major agricultural schemes now aligned to this objective.
Thakur stated that an Inter-Ministerial Committee, constituted in April 2016 to examine issues related to farmers’ income enhancement, had submitted its detailed report in September 2018. The report laid down a structured roadmap to improve productivity, reduce production costs, and increase farmers’ access to remunerative markets.
To ensure implementation, an Empowered Body was set up on 23 January 2019 to monitor progress on the Committee’s recommendations.
Farmers Welfare Initiatives: Seven Pillars for Income Growth
The Doubling Farmers’ Income (DFI) Committee identified seven key sources of agricultural growth;
- Improvement in crop productivity
- Improvement in livestock productivity
- Cost reduction through efficient resource use
- Higher cropping intensity
- Diversification towards high-value crops
- Better real prices for farmers
- Shift from farm to non-farm activities
The Minister emphasized that these strategies form the foundation of current agricultural policymaking.
Farmers Welfare Initiatives: Government Support and Rising Budget Allocation
Although agriculture is a State subject, the Centre supports States through policy initiatives and substantial budgetary backing. The budget of the Department of Agriculture & Farmers Welfare (DA&FW) has seen a steep rise from ₹21,933.50 crore in 2013-14 to ₹1,27,290.16 crore in 2025-26 reflecting the government’s commitment to boosting farm incomes.
Thakur noted that schemes under the Ministry aim to increase production, ensure better market returns, provide income support, and strengthen agriculture infrastructure.
Income Trends Show Upward Movement Through Farmers Welfare Initiatives
Citing data from the National Sample Survey Office (NSSO), the Minister said that average monthly income of agricultural households increased from ₹6,426 in 2012-13 (NSS 70th round) to ₹10,218 in 2018-19 (NSS 77th round).
He also referenced findings from the Household Consumption Expenditure Survey (2023-24), which reveal rising rural purchasing power.
- Rural MPCE rose from ₹1,430 in 2011-12 to ₹4,122 in 2023-24
- Urban MPCE increased from ₹2,630 to ₹6,996 in the same period
- The gap between rural and urban spending narrowed from 83.9% to 69.7%
Landholding Data
According to Agriculture Census 2015-16, India has 146.45 million agricultural holdings, with marginal and small farmers forming the largest share. This classification helps the government tailor schemes to improve incomes of small and marginal farming households.
Farmers Welfare Initiative Driving Income Growth
The Minister listed a broad range of flagship schemes contributing to income enhancement and agricultural development. These include:
- PM-KISAN, PM-KMY, PMFBY, and Interest Subvention Scheme
- Agriculture Infrastructure Fund, 10,000 FPO Scheme, Namo Drone Didi
- National Mission on Natural Farming, PM-AASHA
- AgriSURE Fund for agri-startups and rural enterprises
- Per Drop More Crop, Sub-Mission on Agricultural Mechanisation
- Soil Health & Fertility initiatives, Crop Diversification Programme
- National Food Security and Nutrition Mission, MIDH
- National Mission on Edible Oils—Oil Palm & Oilseeds
- Digital Agriculture Mission, National Bamboo Mission, among others.
These schemes span income support, risk management, infrastructure creation, market access, natural farming, and technological modernization forming a multi-layered approach to help farmers achieve higher and more stable incomes.
