**Executive Summary:**
This document outlines the Indian government's schemes and initiatives for supporting small and marginal farmers through cost-effective technology and agricultural advancements. It details various programs, collaborations, and steps taken to promote technology adoption, including partnerships with international research institutes and private sector engagement. The information provided responds to questions raised in Lok Sabha regarding these efforts and their impact, with data updated as of June 30, 2025, and farmer IDs generated until August 4, 2025.
**Key Points / Main Content:**
* **Government Schemes and Initiatives:**
* The Government of India implements Central Sector and Centrally Sponsored Schemes to support states in agricultural development and promote farmers' interests.
* Annexure I lists major schemes implemented by the Department of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare (DAFW), including PM-KISAN, PM-KMY, PMAASHA, PMFBY, MISS, AIF, FPOs, NBHM, Namo Drone Didi, AgriSURE, NMNF, RKVY-DPR, PDMC, SMAM, PKVY, SHF, RAD, Agroforestry, CDP, SMAE, NFSNM, ISAM, MIDH, NMEO-Oil Palm, NMEO-Oilseeds, MOVCDNER, Digital Agriculture Mission, and National Bamboo Mission.
* **Cost-Effective Technology Promotion:**
* The Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR), through Krishi Vigyan Kendras (KVKs), demonstrates low-cost, region-specific technologies, including improved varieties, agronomic practices, composting, improved tools, and organic farming.
* ICAR has developed and demonstrated low-cost technologies such as polyculture, community-based aquaculture, paddy cum fish culture, shrimp farming, community-based open sea cage farming, seaweed and mussel farming, FRP coracles, solar-powered fishing boats, solar fish dryers, and smoking kilns.
* **Private Sector Participation:**
* ICAR promotes public-private partnerships (PPP) to scale up innovations, encouraging agro-startups and private firms to participate in technology refinement, input supply, custom hiring services, and extension outreach.
* ICAR has signed over 150 MoUs in the last 5 years to promote low-cost technology solutions for marginal farmers through private participation.
* The Rashtriya Krishi Vikas Yojana (RKVY) supports innovations and agri-entrepreneurship, having supported 1943 Agri-Startups until June 30, 2025.
* **Financial and Physical Progress (as of June 30, 2025):**
* Sub-Mission on Agriculture Mechanization: ₹9069.44 crore allocated, 20.72 lakh machines provided on subsidy, and 27204 custom hiring centers established.
* Agriculture Infrastructure Fund (AIF): ₹66,310 Crores sanctioned for 1,13,419 projects, mobilizing ₹107,502 Crores.
* eNAM: 1522 mandis integrated, 1.79 crore farmers and 2.67 Lakh traders registered, with ₹4.39 lakh crore of trade recorded.
* Per Drop More Crop (PDMC): 102 lakh ha covered under Micro Irrigation, with ₹24789.16 crores released since 2015-16.
* Soil Health Card (SHC): 25.13 crore SHCs issued.
* Kisan Credit Card (KCC): Institutional credit flow to agriculture rose to ₹28.69 lakh crore in 2024-25.
* AgriStack: Over 7.04 crore farmer IDs generated, with digital crop survey conducted in 436 districts in Kharif 2024 and 461 districts in Rabi 2024-25.
* WINDS: Weather Information Network and Data System being set up to collect hyperlocal weather data.
**Impact Analysis:**
* **Small and Marginal Farmers:**
* *Impact:* Beneficiaries of cost-effective technologies, financial assistance, and improved access to markets and credit.
* *Action Required:* Engage with government schemes, adopt new technologies demonstrated by KVKs, and utilize resources available through AIF and RKVY.
* **State Governments:**
* *Impact:* Responsible for implementing central schemes and supporting agricultural development within their respective states.
* *Action Required:* Effectively implement and monitor central schemes, ensure accurate data collection for AgriStack, and conduct digital crop surveys.
* **Agricultural Research Institutes (ICAR, KVKs):**
* *Impact:* Play a key role in developing and disseminating low-cost technologies and promoting public-private partnerships.
* *Action Required:* Continue research and development of relevant technologies, collaborate with private sector, and conduct demonstrations for farmers.
* **Private Sector (Agri-Startups, Firms):**
* *Impact:* Encouraged to participate in technology refinement, input supply, custom hiring services, and extension outreach through PPPs.
* *Action Required:* Partner with ICAR, invest in innovative solutions, and scale up technologies for wider adoption.
Key Entities Referenced
Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare: The Indian government ministry responsible for agriculture and farmers' welfare.
Indian Council of Agricultural Research ICAR: An autonomous organisation responsible for co-ordinating agricultural education and research in India.
Krishi Vigyan Kendras KVKs: Agricultural extension centers in India, part of the ICAR system, that demonstrate technologies on farmers' fields.
Pradhan Mantri Kisan Samman Nidhi PMKISAN: A scheme that provides income support to small and marginal farmers in India.
Agriculture Infrastructure Fund AIF: A fund supporting post-harvest management infrastructure and community farming assets in India.
Rashtriya Krishi Vikas Yojana RKVY: An umbrella scheme to ensure holistic development of agriculture and allied sectors.
Pradhan Mantri Fasal Bima Yojana PMFBY: A government sponsored crop insurance scheme.
Namo Drone Didi: An initiative promoting the use of drones in agriculture.
GOVERNMENT OF INDIA
MINISTRY OF AGRICULTURE AND FARMERS WELFARE
DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE AND FARMERS WELFARE
LOK SABHA
UNTARRED QUESTION NO. 2579
TO BE ANSWERED ON 5TH AUGUST, 2025
SCHEMES LAUNCHED FOR SMALL AND MARGINAL FARMERS
2579. THIRU ARUN NEHRU:
Will the Minister of AGRICULTURE AND FARMERS WELFARE कृ िष एवं िकसान क(cid:670)ाण मं(cid:361)ी be
pleased to state:
(a) the details of the schemes launched for the cost-effective technology for small and marginal
farmers and the year-wise beneficiaries under the schemes since 2020, State-wise;
(b) the details of the collaborations with international agricultural research institutes to develop low-
cost, high-efficiency farming tools for Indian smallholders and the outcomes;
(c) the steps taken by the Government to encourage private sector participation in developing low-
cost technology solutions for marginal farmers and the outcomes from those steps;
(d) the details of the steps taken by the Government to promote cost-effective agricultural
technology for small and marginal farmers in India; and
(e) whether the Government has any roadmap for next 10 years to make India's small and marginal
farmers self-sufficient through technological advancements, if so, the details thereof and their
expected outcomes?
ANSWER
THE MINISTER OF STATE FOR AGRICULTURE AND FARMERS WELFARE
कृ िष एवं िकसान क(cid:670)ाण रा(cid:475) मं(cid:361)ी (SHRI RAM NATH THAKUR)
(a), (d) & (e): Agriculture is a state subject. Government of India implements various
Central Sector and Centrally Sponsored Schemes to support states for development of agriculture
sector as well as for promoting interest of farmers, including small and marginal farmers. List of
schemes of Department Agriculture and Farmers Welfare (DA&FW) is given at Annexure I. Details
of major schemes to promote cost-effective agricultural technology, for farmers including small and
marginal farmers, is given at Annexure II. These initiatives demonstrate government’s
commitment to leveraging technology to empower farmers, especially small and marginal farmers
to enhance productive and promote sustainable farming.
(b) & (c): Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR) through institutions like Krishi Vigyan
Kendras (KVKs) and the government ensures that low-cost, region-specific technologies are
demonstrated on farmers' fields. These include improved varieties and agronomic practices,
composting techniques, improved tools, and organic farming practices etc. The ICAR have
developed and demonstrated several low-cost technologies for small land-holders and marginal-
farmers including polyculture and monoculture of diversified aquaculture species; community-
based cage and pen culture in reservoirs and wetlands in the freshwater sector; Paddy cum fish
culture, integrated fish culture; Shrimp farming in the brackish water; community-based open sea
cage farming; seaweed faming and mussel farming in the marine ecosystem; FRP coracles; solar
powered fishing boats; rubber wood canoes; solar fish dryers; smoking kiln; etc. ICAR has
undertaken several initiatives to promote low-cost technology solutions for marginal farmers
through active private participation. In this connection ICAR has signed more than 150 MoU in the
last 5 years. ICAR promotes public-private partnerships (PPP) to scale up these innovations,
encouraging agro-startups and private firms to participate in technology refinement, input supply,
custom hiring services, and extension outreach. This resulted in development and dissemination
of affordable, location-specific technologies in areas such as soil health management, water
conservation, and climate-resilient agriculture.
Besides Agriculture Infrastructure Fund (AIF) supports post-harvest management
infrastructure. Rs. 107,502 Crores have been mobilized through AIF. The Innovation and Agri-
entrepreneurship program of Rashtriya Krishi Vikas Yojana (RKVY) supports innovations and agri
entrepreneurship and incubation. 1943 Agri-Startups have been supported till 30th June, 2025.Annexure I
Major schemes implemented by the Department of Agriculture and 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 MissionAnnexure II
S.No. Name of Scheme Physical and financial Progress
I. Sub-Mission on As on 30.06.2025 under the scheme, from 2014-15 to 2025-26, an
Agriculture amount of Rs. 9069.44 crore have been allocated for agricultural
Mechanization mechanization. 20.72 lakh numbers of machines and equipments have
been provided to farmers on subsidy. 27204 custom hiring centers, 646
high-tech hubs and 25,260 farm machinery banks have been established
to make available agricultural machines and equipments to the farmers
on rental basis. During 2025-26, Rs.807.34 Crore have been released
to States.
II. Agriculture As on 30th June 2025, Rs. 66,310 Crores have been sanctioned for
Infrastructure Fund 1,13,419 projects under AIF These sanctioned projects have mobilized
(AIF) an investment of Rs.107,502 Crores in the agriculture sector. Major
projects sanctioned under AIF include 30,202 custom hiring centres,
22,827 processing units, 15,982 warehouses, 3,703 sorting & grading
units, 2,454 cold store projects, around 38,251 other kinds of post-
harvest management projects and viable farming assets.
III. e-NAM As on 30th June 2025, the Department has integrated 1522 mandis with
e-NAM since inception across 23 States & 4 UTs. 1.79 crore farmers &
2.67 Lakh traders have been registered on e-NAM portal. Total volume
of 12.03 Crore MT & 49.15 Crore numbers (bamboo, betel leaves,
coconut, lemon & sweet corn) collectively worth approximately Rs. 4.39
lakh crore of trade has been recorded on e-NAM platform.
IV. Per Drop More Crop As on 30th June 2025, under the Scheme, financial assistance of 55% to
(PDMC) Small & Marginal farmers and 45% to Other farmers is provided for
installation of Micro Irrigation systems. From the year 2015-16 to 2025-
26 (so far), an area 102 lakh ha has been covered under Micro Irrigation
in the Country through the scheme. This is a significant achievement. So
far, Central assistance of Rs. 24789.16 crores released under PDMC
since 2015-16.
V. Soil Health Card Soil Health Card Scheme was introduced in the year 2014-15 to optimize
usage of nutrients. The following number of cards have been issued to
farmers. As on 30.06.2025 total 25.13 crore SHC issued.
VI. Kisan Credit Card Institutional credit flow to agriculture has risen nearly three times since
(KCC) 2014-15, rising from ₹8.5 lakh crore to ₹28.69 lakh crore in 2024-25.
Short-term agriculture credit has more than doubled, increasing from
₹6.4 lakh crore in 2014-15 to ₹15.93 lakh crore in 2024-25.
Further, as announced in the Union Budget 2025, the eligible loan limit
under MISS for availing Interest Subvention and PRI benefits is proposed
to be enhanced from ₹3 lakh to ₹5 lakh, and the necessary actions for
implementation of this provision are currently underway.
VII. AgriStack Agristack DPI consists of three basic registries or databases related to
agriculture sector, i.e., (i) Geo-referenced Village Maps, (ii) Crop Sown
Registry, and (iii) Farmers Registry (Farmer’s Digital Identity Card) which
are created and maintained by State Governments/UTs.
A total of more than 7.04 crore farmer IDs have been generated till
04.08.2025. (Source:
https://agristack.gov.in/#/farmerRegistryMonitoring)
Further, the Government has set a target to conduct digital crop survey
in all States/UTs by Kharif 2025. Geo-referenced village map registry is
a prerequisite, digital crop survey has been conducted in 436 districts in
Kharif 2024 and in 461 districts in Rabi 2024-25 covering more than
23.90 crore plots.
VIII. WINDS (Weather WINDS (Weather Information Network and Data System) for setting up
Information Network of Network of Automatic Weather Stations (AWS) & Automatic Rain-
and Data System) Gauges (ARG) to the tune of 5 times of existing network for collecting
hyper-local weather data at GP & Block level under PMFBY. This will be
fed into a National database with interoperability & sharing of data in
coordination with India Meteorological Department (IMD). WINDS
provides data not only for YES-TECH but also for effective drought &
disaster management, accurate weather prediction and offering better
parametric insurance products.
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