**Executive Summary**
This document is the answer given by the Minister of State for Agriculture and Farmers Welfare to Unstarred Question No. 359 in Lok Sabha, to be answered on December 2nd, 2025. The question concerns the steps taken by the Government of India to enhance farmer income across the country, the impact of Minimum Support Prices (MSP), and new initiatives to promote alternative income sources for farmers.
**Key Points / Main Content**
* **Integrated Strategy to Support States & UTs:**
* Government of India follows an integrated strategy to enhance farmer income and comprehensive growth of the agricultural sector.
* Key components include increasing crop production/productivity, reducing production costs, enhancing remunerative returns, agricultural diversification, developing post-harvest value addition, and adapting to climate change.
* **Government Support:**
* The Government supports states through policy measures, budgetary allocation, and schemes.
* The budget allocation for the Department of Agriculture & Farmers Welfare(DA&FW) has substantially increased from Rs. 21,933.50 crore BE in 2013-14 to Rs. 1,27,290.16 crore BE in 2025-26.
* **Major Schemes:**
* Several major schemes are in place to increase farmer income and develop the agriculture sector, including:
* Pradhan Mantri Kisan Samman Nidhi (PM-KISAN)
* Pradhan Mantri Kisan Maan Dhan Yojana (PM-KMY)
* 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 (PM-AASHA)
* Agri Fund for Start-Ups & Rural Enterprises' (AgriSURE)
* Per Drop More Crop (PDMC)
* Sub-Mission on Agriculture Mechanization (SMAM)
* Paramparagat Krishi Vikas Yojana (PKVY)
* Soil Health & Fertility (SH&F)
* 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
* **Minimum Support Prices (MSPs):**
* Government fixes MSPs for 22 mandated agricultural crops and Fair & Remunerative Price (FRP) for sugarcane, based on recommendations from the Commission for Agricultural Costs & Prices (CACP).
* The CACP considers factors like cost of production, demand-supply, prices, inter-crop parity, and impact on the economy.
* The Union Budget for 2018-19 announced the principle to keep MSPs at levels of one and a half times the cost of production. MSPs have been increased accordingly.
* **Agri-Tourism:**
* The Department of Agriculture & Farmers Welfare does not have any scheme for Agri Related Tourism Activities.
* Development and promotion of tourist destinations, including rural tourism, is undertaken by State Governments/Union Territory Administrations.
* The Ministry of Tourism supports rural tourism through schemes like 'Swadesh Darshan' and 'Pilgrimage Rejuvenation and Spiritual, Heritage Augmentation Drive (PRASHAD)', and has formulated national strategies for developing rural tourism and promoting rural homestays.
* **Minimum Support Price List Annexure**
* The document contains a list of minimum support prices for 22 mandated agricultural crops and Fair & Remunerative Price (FRP) for sugarcane for the years 2021-2026
* These crops include, but are not limited to; Kharif Crops: Paddy (Common), Paddy (Grade 'A'), Jowar (Hybrid), Bajra, Maize, Arhar, Moong, Urad, Cotton. Rabi Crops: Wheat, Gram, Masur, Rapeseed & mustard, Safflower. Commercial Crops: Jute, Copra (milling), Copra (ball).
**Impact Analysis**
* **Farmers:**
* **Impact:** Enhanced income through various schemes, MSPs, and alternative income sources like agri-tourism. Benefit from the integrated strategy focusing on productivity, cost reduction, and value addition.
* **Action Required:** Engage with available schemes and initiatives, adopt best practices for increased productivity and income generation.
* **State Governments/Union Territories:**
* **Impact:** Supported through policy measures, budgetary allocations, and schemes to develop the agricultural sector. Responsible for developing and promoting tourist destinations, including rural tourism.
* **Action Required:** Implement and manage agricultural development schemes, coordinate with the Ministry of Tourism for promoting rural tourism, and allocate resources effectively.
* **Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare:**
* **Impact:** Increased budgetary allocation and responsibility for implementing and monitoring various schemes. Tasked with supporting States & UTs in enhancing farmer incomes and overall agricultural growth.
* **Action Required:** Effective implementation of schemes, regular monitoring of progress, and coordination with State Governments/UTs.
* **Ministry of Tourism:**
* **Impact:** Responsible for promoting tourism infrastructure and formulating national strategies for rural tourism.
* **Action Required:** Revamp and implement schemes like 'Swadesh Darshan 2.0', and promote rural homestays to develop sustainable and responsible tourism destinations.
Key Entities Referenced
Department of Agriculture & Farmers Welfare: The primary department responsible for implementing schemes and policies related to agriculture and farmers' welfare.
Minimum Support Prices (MSPs): Government intervention to protect agricultural producers from drastic falls in farm prices.
Pradhan Mantri Kisan Samman Nidhi (PM-KISAN): A scheme providing income support to all landholding farmer families.
Commission for Agricultural Costs & Prices (CACP): Recommends minimum support prices (MSPs) to the government.
Swadesh Darshan Scheme: Ministry of Tourism scheme for developing tourism infrastructure.
GOVERNMENT OF INDIA
MINISTRY OF AGRICULTURE AND FARMERS WELFARE
DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE AND FARMERS WELFARE
LOK SABHA
UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 359
TO BE ANSWERED ON THE 2ND DECEMBER, 2025
PROMOTING THE ALTERNATIVE INCOME SOURCES FOR FARMERS
359. SHRI RAJESH NARANBHAI CHUDASAMA:
Will the Minister of AGRICULTURE AND FARMERS WELFARE कृ(cid:874)ष और (cid:873)कसान
क(cid:227)याण मं(cid:287)ी be pleased to state:
(a) the steps taken by Government to enhance the income of farmers across the
country, State-wise;
(b) the manner in which the implementation of Minimum Support Prices (MSP) has
contributed to farmers' income growth during the last five years;
(c) whether any new initiatives are under consideration to promote alternative income
sources such as agri-tourism or allied activities; and
(d) if so, the details thereof?
ANSWER
THE MINISTER OF STATE FOR AGRICULTURE AND FARMERS WELFARE
कृ(cid:874)ष और (cid:873)कसान क(cid:227)याण रा(cid:207)य म(cid:287)ं ी (SHRI RAMNATH THAKUR)
(a) : Government of India follows the following integrated strategy to support States
& UTs in enhancing farmer incomes and comprehensive growth of agriculture sector:-
(i) Increase crop production/ productivity
(ii) Reduce cost of production
(iii) Remunerative returns of farmers’ produce to enhance their incomes.
(iv) Agricultural diversification
(v) Developing post harvest value addition
(vi) Adaptation to climate change for sustainable agriculture and mitigate
against crop losses
Since Agriculture is a State subject, Government of India supports the States
through appropriate policy measures, budgetary allocation and various schemes. The
Government has substantially enhanced 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.Major schemes of DA&FW to increase the income of farmers and for the
development of agriculture Sector in India 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’ (AgriSURE)
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 Mission(b): Government fixes Minimum Support Prices (MSPs) for 22 mandated
agricultural crops and Fair & Remunerative Price (FRP) for sugarcane on the basis of
the recommendations of the Commission for Agricultural Costs & Prices (CACP), after
considering the views of State Governments and Central Ministries/Departments
concerned. The 22 mandated crops include 14 Kharif crops viz. paddy, jowar, bajra,
maize, ragi, tur (arhar), moong, urad, groundnut, soyabean, sunflower, sesamum,
nigerseed, cotton and 6 Rabi crops viz. wheat, barley, gram, masur (lentil), rapeseed
& mustard, safflower and two commercial crops viz. jute and copra.
While recommending MSPs, CACP considers important factors like cost of
production, overall demand-supply conditions, domestic and international prices, inter-
crop price parity, terms of trade between agricultural and non-agricultural sectors, the
likely effect on the rest of the economy, besides ensuring rational utilization of land,
water and other production resources and a minimum of 50 percent as the margin over
cost of production. The inclusion of crops under MSP framework is dependent on
several factors which include relatively large shelf life, widely grown, item of mass
consumption, essential for food security, among others.
The Union Budget for 2018-19 had announced the pre-determined principle to
keep MSPs at levels of one and half times of the cost of production. Accordingly,
Government had increased MSPs for all mandated Kharif, Rabi and other Commercial
crops with a minimum return of 50 percent over all India weighted average cost of
production from year 2018-19 onwards. The details of MSPs (marketing Season wise)
fixed by Government from 2018-19 onwards is at Annexure.
( c ) & (d) : Department of Agriculture & Farmers Welfare does not have any scheme
for Agri Related Tourism Activities. Development and promotion of tourist destinations
and products, including rural tourism is undertaken by the respective State
Government/Union Territory (UT) Administration. The Ministry of Tourism through its
central sector schemes of ‘Swadesh Darshan (SD)’, ‘Pilgrimage Rejuvenation and
Spiritual, Heritage Augmentation Drive (PRASHAD)’ and ‘Assistance to Central
Agencies for Tourism Infrastructure Development’ complements the efforts of tourism
infrastructure development in the country by extending financial assistance to the
State Governments/UT Administrations. Rural Circuit has been identified as one of the
thematic circuits under Swadesh Darshan Scheme. Ministry of Tourism has revamped
the Swadesh Darshan Scheme as Swadesh Darshan 2.0 (SD 2.0) with the objective
to develop sustainable and responsible tourism destinations, following a destination &
tourist-centric approach. Ministry of Tourism has also formulated national strategies
for development of rural tourism and promotion of rural homestays in India.Annexure
Minimum Support Price
(Marketing Season-wise)(₹/quintal)
(As on 01.10.2025)
Sr. Commodities KMS KMS KMS KMS KMS
No. 2021-22 2022-23 2023-24 2024-25 2025-26
KHARIF CROPS
Paddy (Common) 1940 2040 2183 2300 2369
1 Paddy (Grade ‘A’) 1960 2060 2203 2320 2389
2 Jowar (Hybrid) 2738 2970 3180 3371 3699
Jowar (Maldandi) 2758 2990 3225 3421 3749
3 Bajra 2250 2350 2500 2625 2775
4 Ragi 3377 3578 3846 4290 4886
5 Maize 1870 1962 2090 2225 2400
6 Arhar 6300 6600 7000 7550 8000
7 Moong 7275 7755 8558 8682 8768
8 Urad 6300 6600 6950 7400 7800
Cotton
5726 6080 6620 7121 7710
9 (Medium Staple )
Cotton
6025 6380 7020 7521 8110
(Long Staple )
10 Groundnut 5550 5850 6377 6783 7263
11 Sunflower Seed 6015 6400 6760 7280 7721
12 Soyabean Yellow 3950 4300 4600 4892 5328
13 Sesamum 7307 7830 8635 9267 9846
14 Nigerseed 6930 7287 7734 8717 9537
RMS RMS RMS RMS RMS
RABI CROPS
2022-23 2023-24 2024-25 2025-26 2026-27
15 Wheat 2015 2125 2275 2425 2585
16 Barley 1635 1735 1850 1980 2150
17 Gram 5230 5335 5440 5650 5875
18 Masur 5500 6000 6425 6700 7000
19 Rapeseed & mustard 5050 5450 5650 5950 6200
20 Safflower 5441 5650 5800 5940 6540
COMMERCIAL CROPS
2021-22 2022-23 2023-24 2024-25 2025-26
21 Jute 4500 4750 5050 5335 5650
2021 2022 2023 2024 2025
Copra (milling) 10335 10590 10860 11160 11582
22
Copra (ball) 10600 11000 11750 12000 12100
Note: KMS: Kharif Marketing Season, RMS: Rabi Marketing Season
*****