Question : Percentage of small and Marginal Farmers

(a) the number and percentage of small and marginal farmers in the country, State-wise;

(b) whether effective low cost techniques have been developed by the Agriculture Research Institutions for small land holdings in the country;

(c) if so, the details thereof;

(d) the details of steps taken by the Government to encourage the small and marginal farmers to adopt such technique and to provide assistance to them; and

(e) the measures being taken by the Government to make small land holdings more viable?

MINISTER OF AGRICULTURE AND FARMERS WELFARE

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(a): As per the results of Agriculture Census 2015-16, State-wise number and percentage of marginal and small operational holdings (defined as all land which is wholly or partly used for agriculture production and is operated as one technical unit by one person alone or with others without regard to the title, legal form, size or location) in the country is given at Annexure.

(b) & (c): Indian Institute of Farming Systems Research (IIFSR) under Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR) implements All India Coordinated Research Project (AICRP) on Integrated Farming Systems (IFS) for development and refinement of farm technologies for use of small and marginal farmers in the country. Details of major farm technologies evaluated in farming system mode and refined are detailed below:
• Developed 60 tailor made prototype Integrated Farming System Models suitable to 26 States/UTs.
• Refined 63 farming systems in 19 States.
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(d) & (e): Integrated Farming Systems (IFS) models developed for the States have been included in the package of practices of respective state Governments. These are popularized among farmers, including small and marginal farmers, through farmer participatory refinement and demonstration of integrated farming systems.

The Government has taken several measures to make small holdings more viable. These include adoption of modern technologies and practices like multiple cropping, intercropping and integrated farming systems. The Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR) is conducting research programme to develop location specific varieties and technologies for enhancing the production and productivity of farm holdings. Support is also provided to farmers (including small and marginal farmers) through initiatives and programmes of the Government like interest subvention scheme, Sub-Mission on Agricultural Mechanization (SMAM), Mission for Integrated Development of Horticulture (MIDH), National Food Security Mission, Neem coated Urea, Pradhan Mantri Krishi Sinchay Yojana (PMKSY), Pradhan Mantri Fasal Bima Yojana (PMFBY), National Mission for Sustainable Agriculture (NMSA) etc.