Parliament Question: Rural-urban migration and impact on availability of farm labour

GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF AGRICULTURE AND FARMERS WELFARE DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE AND FARMERS WELFARE RAJYA SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 2425 ANSWERED ON 13/03/2026 RURAL - URBAN MIGRATION AND IMPACT ON AVAILABILITY OF FARM LABOUR

2425. SMT. JEBI MATHER HISHAM:

Will the Minister of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare be pleased to state:

(a) whether Government has taken note of the growing migration from rural areas to cities that is causing a severe shortage of farm labour, if so, provide State/UT-wise figures, if not, will such data be compiled on priority;

(b) whether the movement of workers from agriculture to non-agricultural sectors has influenced farm productivity, if so, the details thereof, State/UT-wise;

(c) the measures implemented to help marginal and small farmers adopt mechanized farming practices to offset labour shortages; and

(d) the initiatives undertaken to enhance farmers’ awareness of mechanisation and improve their access to related technologies? ANSWER THE MINISTER OF STATE FOR AGRICULTURE AND FARMERS WELFARE (SHRI BHAGIRATH COUDHARY)

(a) & (b): As per the various annual reports of Periodic Labour Force Survey (PLFS) conducted by the Ministry of Statistics and Programme Implementation (MoSPI), labour force engaged in the agriculture and allied sector in rural area for the year 2021-22, 2022-23 & 2023-24 are 59.0%, 58.4% and 59.8% respectively. The movement of workers from one sector to another sector and places is a common and continuous phenomenon in economy due to various socio-economic reasons. Further, the production of total food grains at the All-India level has increased from 265.0 Million Tonnes in 2013–14 to 357.7 Million Tonnes in 2024–25. Similarly, the production of total horticulture crops at the All-India level has increased from 277.4 Million Tonnes in 2013–14 to 369.1 Million Tonnes in 2024–25 (Third advance estimates).(c) & (d): The Government of India has implemented several measures, primarily through the Sub- Mission on Agricultural Mechanization (SMAM), to help small and marginal farmers to adopt mechanization, to offset labour shortages, and reduce the cost of cultivation. SMAM is being implemented w.e.f 2014-15 through States/UTs Governments. The scheme aims at ‘reaching the unreached’ by bringing to the small and marginal farmers in the core including women farmers and giving the benefits of farm mechanization, by Promoting ‘Custom Hiring Centers’ (CHCs) / Farm Machinery Bank (FMB), creating hubs for hi-tech & high value farm equipments, distribution of various agricultural equipments, creating awareness among stakeholders through demonstration and capacity building activities.

Under SMAM, in order to make farm machinery more accessible and affordable to farmers, financial assistance @ 40-50% of the cost of machinery depending on the category of farmers is

provided for purchase of agricultural machines. For SC/ST/Small and marginal/North East state/women farmers the financial assistance is @ 50% of the cost of machinery. With a view to make available machines and equipment’s to farmers on rental basis, financial assistance for establishment of CHCs of the project cost up to Rs.250 lakhs is provided @ 40% of the project cost and financial assistance for establishments of Farm Machinery Banks (FMBs) of the project cost up to Rs. 30 Lakhs is provided @ 80% of the project cost. The rate of financial assistance for establishing FMBs in the North Eastern States is @ 95% of the project cost.

The Central Government Promote awareness on farm mechanization among stakeholders through demonstration at farmers’ fields / capacity building activities and provides 100% (75% to FPOs) financial assistance for the procurement of newly developed agricultural, horticultural, crop residue management machines, post-harvest technologies, and drones (Drone Kisan) also provide the contingency charges for the above activities. These demonstrations are conducted through Farm Machinery Training and Testing Institutes (FMTTIs), State-identified institutions, Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR) institutions, Agricultural Technology Management Agency (ATMA) institutions, Krishi Vigyan Kendra (KVKs) under ICAR/State Agricultural Universities(SAUs), the National Innovation Foundation (NIF), Public Sector Undertakings (PSUs) of the Government of India, and Farmer Producer Organizations (FPOs).

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