Executive Summary:
This document is the response to Lok Sabha Unstarred Question No. 1555, answered on July 29, 2025, regarding promoting farming as a viable career option among youth. It details the government's awareness of the number of farmers, initiatives to promote farming among youth, measures to increase farmer income, and skill development/financial incentives for youth participation in agriculture. The response outlines various schemes and programs aimed at farmer welfare and attracting younger generations to agriculture.
Key Points / Main Content:
* **Farmer Statistics:**
* The government does not maintain central data on the exact number of farmers.
* Agriculture Census data indicates an increase in operational holdings over the past three quinquennial censuses: 12.92 crore (2005-06), 13.83 crore (2010-11), and 14.65 crore (2015-16).
* **Government Initiatives:**
* Agriculture is a state subject; the central government supports state efforts through policy measures, budgetary allocations, and various schemes.
* Schemes aim to increase production, provide remunerative returns, and offer income support to farmers.
* **Major Schemes and Programs:**
* Pradhan Mantri Kisan Samman Nidhi (PM-KISAN)
* Pradhan Mantri Kisan Maan Dhan Yojana (PMKMY)
* Pradhan Mantri Fasal Bima Yojana (PMFBY) / Restructured Weather Based Crop Insurance Scheme (RWBCIS)
* Modified Interest Subvention Scheme (MISS)
* Agriculture Infrastructure Fund (AIF)
* Formation and Promotion of 10,000 new Farmer Producers Organizations (FPOs)
* National Bee Keeping and Honey Mission (NBHM)
* Namo Drone Didi
* National Mission on Natural Farming (NMNF)
* Pradhan Mantri Annadata Aay SanraksHan Abhiyan (PMAASHA)
* Agri Fund for Start-Ups / Rural Enterprises (Agri-SURE)
* Per Drop More Crop (PDMC)
* Sub-Mission on Agriculture Mechanization (SMAM)
* Paramparagat Krishi Vikas Yojana (PKVY)
* Soil Health Fertility (SHF)
* Rainfed Area Development (RAD)
* Agroforestry
* Crop Diversification Programme (CDP)
* Sub-Mission on Agriculture Extension (SMAE)
* Sub-Mission on Seed and Planting Material (SMSP)
* National Food Security and Nutrition Mission (NFSNM)
* Integrated Scheme for Agriculture Marketing (ISAM)
* Mission for Integrated Development of Horticulture (MIDH)
* National Mission on Edible Oils (NMEO-Oil Palm)
* National Mission on Edible Oils (NMEO-Oilseeds)
* Mission Organic Value Chain Development for North Eastern Region
* Digital Agriculture Mission
* National Bamboo Mission
* **Promoting Farming Among Youth:**
* Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR) established 731 Krishi Vigyan Kendras (KVKs) for technology dissemination.
* KVK activities include on-farm testing, frontline demonstrations, capacity development, production of quality inputs, and extension activities.
* 100 KVKs are implementing the Attracting and Retaining Youth in Agriculture (ARYA) project.
* Skill Training of Rural Youth (STRY) program (now under ATMA) provides short-term skill training.
* Support to State Extension Programs for Extension Reforms (ATMA) is implemented in 740 districts to promote decentralized, farmer-friendly extension systems.
Impact Analysis:
* **Farmers (Including Young Farmers):**
* Impact: Potential for increased income, access to technology, skill development, and overall welfare through various schemes and programs.
* Action Required: Engage with KVKs, participate in training programs, and utilize available schemes to improve agricultural practices and income.
* **State Governments:**
* Impact: Supported by central government policies, budgetary allocations, and schemes to enhance agriculture.
* Action Required: Implement and promote central government schemes effectively, develop state-specific agricultural policies, and collaborate with KVKs and ATMA.
* **Agricultural Research Institutions (e.g., ICAR and KVKs):**
* Impact: Responsible for technology dissemination, skill development, and on-farm testing.
* Action Required: Conduct research, provide training, and assess technology suitability for different farming systems.
* **Extension Functionaries:**
* Impact: Enhanced capacity through KVKs, access to the latest agricultural technologies and good practices through ATMA.
* Action Required: Participate in capacity development programs, disseminate information to farmers, and support the implementation of agricultural schemes.
Key Entities Referenced
Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare: The Indian government ministry responsible for agriculture and farmers' welfare.
Pradhan Mantri Kisan Samman Nidhi PMKISAN: A scheme by the Government of India to provide income support to small and marginal farmers.
Pradhan Mantri Fasal Bima Yojana PMFBY: A government-sponsored crop insurance scheme in India.
Agriculture Infrastructure Fund AIF: A fund to improve agriculture infrastructure in India.
Farmer Producers Organizations FPOs: Organizations formed by farmers to collectively improve their income and productivity.
Krishi Vigyan Kendras KVKs: Agricultural extension centers established by the Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR) in rural districts to disseminate agricultural technologies.
Attracting and Retaining Youth in Agriculture ARYA: A project implemented by Krishi Vigyan Kendras (KVKs) to retain younger generations in agriculture.
Agriculture Technology Management Agency ATMA: A centrally sponsored scheme to support state extension programs for extension reforms.
GOVERNMENT OF INDIA
MINISTRY OF AGRICULTURE AND FARMERS WELFARE
DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE AND FARMERS WELFARE
LOK SABHA
UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 1555
TO BE ANSWERED ON THE 29TH JULY, 2025
PROMOTING FARMING AS A VIABLE CAREER OPTION AMONG YOUTH
1555. SHRI VISHALDADA PRAKASHBAPU PATIL:
Will the Minister of AGRICULTURE AND FARMERS WELFARE कृ िष एवं िकसान क(cid:670)ाण
मं(cid:361)ी be pleased to state:
(a) whether the Government is aware of the constant decline in the number of farmers
in the country, if so, the details of the decline over the past decade and the key factors
contributing to it;
(b) the initiatives taken by the Government to promote farming as a viable career option
among youth, including programs in schools and colleges;
(c) the measures being implemented to increase per farmer income and make agriculture
more financially attractive for the younger generation; and
(d) whether the Government has introduced any skill development, technological
advancements or financial incentives to encourage youth participation in agriculture and
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 मं(cid:287)ी (SHRI RAMNATH THAKUR)
(a): No. The data on exact number of farmers is not maintained Centrally. However, as
per the Agriculture Census conducted by Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare,
the Number of operational holdings* based on previously conducted three agriculture
censuses on quinquennial basis, are given as below:
S. No. Agriculture Census Number of Operational Holdings*
(in Crore)
1 2005-06 12.92
2 2010-11 13.83
3 2015-16 14.65
*All land which is used wholly or partly for Agricultural production and is operated as one
technical unit by one person alone or with others without regard to the title, legal form,
size or location.(b) to (d): Agriculture is a State subject and Government of India supports the efforts of
States through appropriate policy measures, budgetary allocation and various schemes/
programmes. The various schemes/ programmes of the Government of India are meant
for the welfare of farmers and to attract younger generation in increasing production,
remunerative returns and income support to farmers. The Major schemes/programmes
initiated by DA&FW to enhance overall income of farmers and remunerative returns in
the agriculture sector are as under:-
1. Pradhan Mantri Kisan Samman Nidhi (PM-KISAN)
2. Pradhan Mantri Kisan Maan Dhan Yojana (PM-KMY)
3. Pradhan Mantri Fasal Bima Yojana (PMFBY)/ Restructured Weather Based Crop
Insurance Scheme (RWBCIS)
4. Modified Interest Subvention Scheme (MISS)
5. Agriculture Infrastructure Fund (AIF)
6. Formation and Promotion of 10,000 new Farmer Producers Organizations (FPOs)
7. National Bee Keeping and Honey Mission (NBHM)
8. Namo Drone Didi
9. National Mission on Natural Farming (NMNF)
10. Pradhan Mantri Annadata Aay SanraksHan Abhiyan (PM-AASHA)
11. Agri Fund for Start-Ups & Rural Enterprises’ (Agri SURE)
12. Per Drop More Crop (PDMC)
13. Sub-Mission on Agriculture Mechanization (SMAM)
14. Paramparagat Krishi Vikas Yojana (PKVY)
15. Soil Health & Fertility (SH&F)
16. Rainfed Area Development (RAD)
17. Agroforestry
18. Crop Diversification Programme (CDP)
19. Sub-Mission on Agriculture Extension (SMAE)
20. Sub-Mission on Seed and Planting Material (SMSP)
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 MissionGovernment has taken various initiatives to promote farming as a viable career
option for youth, among which the Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR) has
set up 731 Krishi Vigyan Kendras (KVKs) in the rural districts of the country for
dissemination of new technologies of agriculture and allied sectors through technology
assessment, demonstration and capacity development among the extension
functionaries and the farmers of the concerned district. The KVKs perform following
activities for the purpose:
(a) on-farm testing to identify the location specificity of technology under various farming
systems;
(b) frontline demonstration to establish the production potential of improved agricultural
technologies on the farmers’ fields;
(c) capacity development of extension functionaries and farmers for knowledge and skill
up gradation;
(d) production of quality seeds, planting materials and other technology inputs for the
farmers;
(e) extension activities to develop awareness of improved agricultural technology among
the farmers.
Besides, 100 KVKs of the country are implementing project namely Attracting and
Retaining Youth in Agriculture (ARYA) for retaining younger generations of farming
families into the sector, These KVKs organize skill development programmes for the
youth of rural areas to take up various enterprises related to agriculture and allied sectors
like, mushroom production, fruits and vegetable processing units, horticulture nursery,
protected cultivation, fish farming, poultry, goat farming, piggery, duck farming, bee
keeping, vermicomposting, etc
The Government is implementing Skill Training of Rural Youth (STRY) with the
objective to impart short term skill training (seven days duration) to rural youths and
farmers in agriculture and allied sectors for upgradation of their knowledge and skills and
promote wage/self employment in rural areas. The component aims at providing short
duration skill based training programs to rural youth including women farmers on agri-
based vocational areas for creating a pool of skilled manpower. Recently, the STRY
programme has been subsumed under Agriculture Technology Management Agency
(ATMA) cafeteria.
A Centrally Sponsored Scheme “Support to State Extension Programs for
Extension Reforms” (ATMA) is being implemented in 740 districts of 28 states & 5 UTs
in the country. The scheme promote decentralized and farmer-friendly extension system
in the country. The objective of the Scheme is to support State Government’s efforts and
to make available latest agricultural technologies and good agricultural practices in
different thematic areas of agriculture and allied to farmers through different extension
activities viz; Farmers Training, Demonstrations, Exposure Visits, Kisan Mela,
Mobilization of Farmers Groups and organizing Farm Schools etc.
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