Parliament Question: Initiatives to double farmers’ income

GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF AGRICULTURE AND FARMERS WELFARE DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE AND FARMERS WELFARE RAJYA SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO- 3208 ANSWERED ON 20/03/2026 INITIATIVES TO DOUBLE FARMERS’ INCOME 3208. SHRI C. VE. SHANMUGAM: Will the Minister of AGRICULTURE AND FARMERS WELFARE be pleased to state: (a) whether Government has set a target to double farmers' income; (b) if so, the details thereof; (c) the current status of this initiative and the challenges faced; (d) the details of the strategies and policies implemented to achieve this goal; (e) the impact of this initiative on farmers' income; (f) the measures taken to address the issues of crop losses, price volatility and climate change; and (g) the steps taken to ensure that the benefits of the initiative reach small and marginal farmers? ANSWER MINISTER OF STATE FOR AGRICULTURE AND FARMERS WELFARE (SHRI RAMNATH THAKUR) (a) to (g): In order to enhance the farmers’ income, the Government has substantially increased the budget allocation of Department of Agriculture & Farmers Welfare(DA&FW) from Rs. 21,933.50 crore BE during 2013-14 to Rs. 1,27,290.16 crore BE during 2025-26. The various schemes/programmes of Government of India meant for the welfare of farmers by increasing production, remunerative returns and income support to farmers are at annexure. Indian Council on Agricultural Research (ICAR) has released a compilation of success stories of 75,000 farmers who have increased their income more than two times by convergence of schemes of DA&FW and the allied Ministries/Departments. The National Sample Survey Office (NSSO), Ministry of Statistics and Programme Implementation (MoSPI) conducted a Situation Assessment Survey (SAS) of Agricultural Households during NSS 77th round (January, 2019 – December, 2019) with reference to the agricultural year July, 2018- June, 2019 in the rural areas of the country. According to these surveys, the estimated average monthly income per agricultural household increased from ₹6,426 in 2012-13 (NSS 70th round) to ₹10,218 in 2018-19 (NSS 77th round). As per NSSO Survey on House hold Consumption Expenditure (2023-24), a comparison of the estimates of all-India average Monthly Per Capita Consumption Expenditure (MPCE) is as under: Sector Average MPCE (Rs.) over different period 2011-12 NSS (68th round) 2023-2024 Rural 1,430 4,122 Urban 2,630 6,996The Government has taken a structured approach to address key challenges in agriculture. To tackle crop losses, the Pradhan Mantri Fasal Bima Yojana (PMFBY) provides insurance coverage against natural calamities, pests and diseases. State Governments provide relief measures as financial assistance through the State Disaster Response Fund (SDRF) and additional financial assistance, over and above SDRF, is provided from the National Disaster Response Fund (NDRF) in cases of severe natural calamities. Agriculture Infrastructure Fund (AIF) supports the creation of storage and warehousing facilities to reduce post-harvest losses and distress sales. Institutional credit is supported through the Modified Interest Subvention Scheme (MISS) which provides short-term crop loans at concessional interest rates, helping reduce financial stress on farmers. To address price volatility, the Government ensures remunerative prices through the fixation of Minimum Support Price (MSP) at least 50 per cent above the all-India weighted average cost of production. Integrated Scheme of Pradhan Mantri Annadata Aay Sanrakshan Abhiyan (PM-AASHA) strengthens procurement mechanisms through Price Support Scheme (PSS), Price Deficiency Payment Scheme (PDPS), and Market Intervention Scheme (MIS). To deal with climate change, the National Mission for Sustainable Agriculture (NMSA) promotes climate-resilient practices, efficient use of natural resources such as water, soil and sustainable farming systems. Further, for promoting self-sufficiency, sustainability and diversification of agriculture, the National Mission on Edible Oils – Oilseeds (NEMO-OS) aims to enhance domestic oilseed production and reduce import dependence, the National Mission on Edible Oils – Oil Palm (NEMO-OP) promotes area expansion and productivity of oil palm for augmenting edible oil availability. Mission for Atmanirbharta in Pulses aims to achieve self-reliance in pulses by increasing domestic production, strengthening procurement, and improving value chain and market linkages to reduce import dependence. National Mission on Natural Farming (NMNF) encourages adoption of chemical-free, sustainable and low-cost farming practices. Mission for Integrated Development of Horticulture (MIDH) promotes holistic development of the horticulture sector through area expansion, quality planting material, post-harvest management and value chain development. The centrally sponsored schemes are implemented through the State Governments & priority for beneficiaries are specified in scheme guidelines. Agricultural extension is part of all schemes. The Ministry of Agriculture & Farmers Welfare ensures that benefits reach small and marginal farmers through targeted and technology-driven measures like Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT) under schemes like PM-KISAN, Digital Farmer Database (AgriStack) and land record integration help in accurate beneficiary identification. National Agriculture Market (e-NAM) Platform, and formation of Farmer Producer Organizations (FPOs) strengthen collective bargaining and market access. Recently the Ministry of Agriculture & Farmers Welfare has launched Bharat-VISTAAR, an AI-powered multilingual digital platform providing real-time and location-specific agricultural advisories and obtaining information on crop management, weather, pest alerts and government schemes. In addition, Information, Education and Communication (IEC) activities under schemes such as Rashtriya Krishi Vikas Yojana (RKVY), National Food Security Mission (NFSM), and Sub-Mission on Agricultural Mechanization (SMAM) are undertaken to create awareness and promote adoption among farmers including small and marginal farmers.Annexure Major Schemes/Programmes of Department of Agriculture & Farmers Welfare 1. Pradhan Mantri Kisan Samman Nidhi (PM-KISAN) 2. Pradhan Mantri Kisan Maan Dhan Yojana (PM-KMY) 3. Pradhan Mantri Annadata Aay SanraksHan Abhiyan (PM-AASHA) 4. Pradhan Mantri Fasal Bima Yojana (PMFBY)/ Restructured Weather Based Crop Insurance Scheme (RWBCIS) 5. Modified Interest Subvention Scheme (MISS) 6. Agriculture Infrastructure Fund (AIF) 7. Formation and Promotion of 10,000 new Farmer Producers Organizations (FPOs) 8. National Bee Keeping and Honey Mission (NBHM) 9. Namo Drone Didi 10. Agri Fund for Start-Ups & Rural Enterprises' (AgriSURE) 11. National Mission on Natural Farming (NMNF) 12. Rastriya Krishi Vikas Yojana- Detailed Project Report (RKVY-DPR) 13. Per Drop More Crop (PDMC) 14. Sub-Mission on Agriculture Mechanization (SMAM) 15. Paramparagat Krishi Vikas Yojana (PKVY) 16. Soil Health & Fertility (SH&F) 17. Rainfed Area Development (RAD) 18. Agroforestry 19. Crop Diversification Programme (CDP) 20. Sub-Mission on Agriculture Extension (SMAE) 21. National Food Security and Nutrition Mission (NFSNM) 22. Integrated Scheme for Agriculture Marketing (ISAM) 23. Mission for Integrated Development of Horticulture (MIDH) 24. National Mission on Edible Oils (NMEO)-Oil Palm 25. National Mission on Edible Oils (NMEO)-Oilseeds 26. Mission Organic Value Chain Development for North Eastern Region 27. Digital Agriculture Mission 28. National Bamboo Mission. 29. Mission for Atmanirbharta in Pulses 30. PM Dhan-Dhaanya Krishi Yojana (PMDDKY) *****