Question : Socio-Economic Conditions of Farmers

(a) whether the Government has conducted any survey to ascertain the social and economic conditions of farmers and categorised them into various groups including below poverty line farmers and landless farmers and if so, the details and the outcome thereof, State/UT-wise;

(b) whether there has been an adverse impact on agricultural operation due to shortage/non-availability of farm workers during harvest seasons and if so, the details thereof and the remedial measures taken by the Government thereon;

(c) whether the Government proposes to dovetail agricultural activities/works with the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act to enhance general wage level of agricultural workers/ labourers, provide livelihood security to them and ensure their availability in the farm sector in the country and if so, the details thereof and the steps taken/being taken by the Government in this regard; and

(d) the new initiatives/policies undertaken/proposed to be taken by the Government for the welfare of farmers and ameliorate their socio-economic conditions in the country?

MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF AGRICULTURE AND FARMERS WELFARE

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(a): The National Sample Survey Office (NSSO) conducted Situation Assessment Survey (SAS) of Agricultural Households during January-December, 2013 in the rural areas of the country for the reference period of the agricultural year July 2012-June 2013. The results of the survey have been presented by different size classes of land possessed. However this survey did not classify the farmers as below poverty line and landless.

Based on this survey, a statement on estimated average monthly income per agricultural household for the agricultural year July, 2012-June 2013 is given at the Annexure.

(b): As reported by the Department of Rural Development, most of the works under the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act (MGNREGA) take place during the lean agricultural season. Moreover, according to the Population Census data, the total number of Agricultural workers in the country increased from 234.1 million in 2001 to 263.1 million in 2011. Hence there is no conclusive evidence to suggest that harvesting is adversely affected due to non-availability of farm workers.

(c): Yes, Madam.

Under the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act, the Government has issued guidelines that 60 % of the works need to be focused on agriculture and allied activities.

(d): In addition to the existing Schemes of the Government, like, National Food Security Mission, Mission for Integrated Development of Horticulture, National Mission on Oilseeds & Oil Palm, National Mission for Sustainable Agriculture, National Mission on Agricultural Extension & Technology, Unified National Agricultural Markets and Rashtriya Krishi Vikas Yojana, etc., Government has initiated several schemes to promote agriculture and to improve the socio-economic conditions of farmers in the country, some of which are given below:

• Pradhan Mantri Krishi Sinchai Yojana, Soil Health Card Scheme, Paramparagat Krishi Vikas Yojana, Pradhan Mantri Fasal Bima Yojana, Crop Diversification Programme etc. has been launched for welfare of the farmers and to improve the productivity.

• The Research Institutes under Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR) have developed several low cost tools, implements and machines appropriate for various categories of farm holdings.

• To adopt technically advanced agricultural equipments, farmers are provided grants, incentives and financial assistance through the Sub-Mission on Agricultural Mechanization, a component of the National Mission on Agricultural Extension and Technology.