(a) whether a large number of farmers prefer to give up farming due to loss/lesser profit in agriculture;
(b) if so, the percentage thereof, Statewise;
(c) the reaction of the Government thereto;
(d) whether the Government has conducted any study to find out the reasons for farmers’ disinterest in farming activities; and
(e) if so, the details thereof?
MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF AGRICULTURE AND MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF
CONSUMER AFFAIRS, FOOD AND PUBLIC DISTRIBUTION (PROF. K.V. THOMAS)
(a) to (c): There is no report on farmers giving up agriculture due to loss /less profitability.
However, as per the report on Situation Assessment Survey of Farmers entitled `Some Aspects of
Farming` of the National Sample Survey Organization (NSSO) conducted during 2003, about 40% farmer
households did not like farming due to various reasons; including 26.5% of farmer households who
did not like farming due to lesser profit in agriculture. State-wise details are given in Annexure.
The National Policy of Farmers, 2007 approved by the Government of India aims to
focus on the economic well-being of farmers by improving the economic viability of farming in
addition to increasing production and productivity. Several programmes such as National Food
Security Mission, Rashtriya Krishi Vikas Yojna, Macro Management Mode of Agriculture and
National Horticulture Mission, etc. are also under implementation to incentivise farmers to
engage themselves profitably in the farming activities.
(d) & (e): During 2003, a comprehensive socio-economic study of the Indian farmers was
conducted by NSSO through `Situation Assessment Survey of Farmers` in the rural areas. One of
the Reports of the survey entitled `Some Aspects of Farming` gives details on certain important
aspects of farming, including reasons for farmers` disinterest in the farming activities.
State-wise percentages of farmer households not liking farming due to various reasons are
given in Annexure.