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GOVERNMENT OF INDIA
MINISTRY OF AGRICULTURE AND FARMERS WELFARE
DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE AND FARMERS WELFARE
LOK SABHA
UNSTARRED D. QUESTION NO. 384
TO BE ANSWERED ON THE 21ST JULY, 2026
AGRICULTURAL CENSUS (2021-22)
384. SHRI SHAFI PARAMBIL:
Will the Minister of AGRICULTURE AND FARMERS WELFARE be pleased to state:
(a) the present status of the 11th Agriculture Census (2021-22), including the stages of
work completed and the progress made since its commencement in 2022;
(b) the reasons, if any, for the delay in completing the Census and publishing its
findings, along with the revised timeline for its completion and release;
(c) the number of villages and agricultural households selected or covered under the
Census, indicating the sampling methodology adopted, wherever applicable, State/UT-
wise; and
(d) whether the Government proposes to use the findings of the census for formulating
polices relating to agricultural production, land holdings, crop diversification and farmers’
welfare, if so, the details thereof?
ANSWER
THE MINISTER OF STATE FOR AGRICULTURE AND FARMERS WELFARE
कृ(cid:874)ष एव ं (cid:873)कसान क(cid:227)याण रा(cid:207)य म(cid:287)ं ी (SHRI RAMNATH THAKUR)
(a) to (d): Agriculture Census in India is conducted after every five years in collaboration
with the States and Union Territories. The field work of Agriculture Census is carried out
in three distinct phases. The ongoing 11th Agriculture Census with the reference year
2021-22 has been commenced in 2022 and so far, field work & data collection for three
phases have been completed within time frame.Further, in phase-I, data on primary characteristics of agricultural holdings and area
operated are collected on complete enumeration basis. In Phase-II, data on characteristics
of holdings like cropping pattern, irrigation status etc. are collected from randomly selected
20% of sample villages in each Tehsil. In phase III, data on input use pattern of operational
holdings are collected from randomly selected 7% of sample villages in each Tehsil.
Agriculture Census provides reliable data base on socio-economic aspects of
operational holders in the country which is used for making agricultural policies. It provides
information on the number, size and distribution of operational holdings by classes
(marginal, small, semi-medium, medium and large), tenancy, consolidation of holdings,
land distribution etc. which is used for efficient planning for utilization of land, irrigation
facilities, crop diversification, mechanization and other agricultural inputs. It provides data
on woman-operated land holdings to support gender-based agricultural interventions.
Census data also enables Government in efficient allocation of subsidies, credit facilities,
targeting rural development programs, and establishing national and regional agricultural
priorities. Further, it serves as a key data source in agriculture sector for researchers,
planners, and other stakeholders.
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