Question : Relief to Farmers and Farm Workers

(a) whether more than 50 per cent of rural farm households in the country are small and landless and if so, the details thereof, State/UT-wise;

(b) whether the Government is aware of shortage of farm workers during agricultural operations and if so, the details thereof;

(c) whether the Government has conducted any study to assess the migration of agricultural workers from rural areas to urban areas and if so, the details thereof including the estimated number of agricultural workers migrated during each of the last three years and the current year
and the main reasons identified therefor;

(d) whether relief measures and financial disbursements to the small, marginal and landless farmers are often stopped during general and assembly elections in the country due to imposition of Model Code of Conduct, and if so, the details thereof and the remedial steps being taken by the Government in this regard; and

(e) the measures taken/proposed to be taken by the Government to alleviate the sufferings of the farmers and to ensure employment of farm workers in the agriculture sector?

MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF AGRICULTURE AND FARMERS WELFARE

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(a): NSSO conducted a Situation Assessment Survey (SAS) of Agricultural Households during NSS 70th round (January 2013- December 2013) in the rural areas of the country with respect to the agricultural year July 2012- June 2013. As per the survey results, estimated number of agricultural households in the country was 90.2 million and about 86.50 percent of estimated agricultural households were small (having land below 2.00 ha.). Also, about 2.6

Contd…2/-



-2-

percent of agricultural households possessed less than 0.01 hectares of land (including landless agricultural households).

The per 1000 distribution of agricultural households by size classes of land possessed for different States/Group of UTs as obtained from the survey results are given in Annexure.

(b): According to the Population Census 2011, the number of Agricultural labourers in the country is 144.33 million. However, specific data on shortage of farm workers during agricultural operations is not maintained.

(c): As per the 2nd, 3rd and 4thAnnual Employment-Unemployment Surveys (EUS) conducted by the Labour Bureau, Ministry of Labour and Employment, the proportion of persons per thousand engaged in agriculture and related activities has been declining during last 3 years. The details are given below.

Per 1000 distribution of persons by industry division/section as per NIC 2008
Divison/ Section* Rural+Urban
Second EUS
(2011-12) Third EUS
(2012-13) Fourth EUS
(2013-14)
A 523.04 497.31 464.00
Note: *Section A – Agriculture, forestry and fishing (National Industrial Classification (NIC) 2008).

Based on the results of the survey on ‘Employment and Unemployment and Migration particulars’ conducted by National Sample Survey Office (NSSO), Ministry of Statistics and Programme Implementation, during 2007-08, number and percentage of migrants from rural areas to urban areas due to employment related reasons during 2007-08 is given in the following Table:

Migrants from rural areas to urban areas due to employment related reasons during 2007-08 (All India)
Number of migrants in urban areas from rural areas (in million) 55.65
Percentage of migrants in urban areas from rural areas due to employment related reasons 25.2
Source: NSS Report No. 533: Migration in India: 2007-08

However, data on estimated number of agricultural workers migrated during each of the last 3 years and the current year is not maintained.

(d): The Election Commission does not stop any relief measures or financial disbursements to the small/marginal and landless farmers during the period of operation of Model Code of Conduct. However, after the Model Code of Conduct comes into effect, the Ministries/ Department need to take prior approval of the Commission before announcing any relief/benefit.

(e): The Government has taken several measures to assist farmers and farm workers in the country. To promote agriculture sector, programmes like, Parampragat Krishi Vikas Yojana, Pradhan Mantri Fasal Bima Yojana, Sub-Mission on Agricultural Mechanization, National Food Security Mission, Bringing Green Revolution to Eastern India, Crop Diversification Programme, Pradhan Mantri Krishi Sinchayee Yojana, National Mission on Agricultural Extension and Technology etc., are implemented. The Ministry of Rural Development is implementing Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act to enhance the livelihood security of people in rural areas.Besides, support is provided on seeds, farm implements/ machines, irrigation devices, plant protection chemicals and soil ameliorants, Agriculture Credit etc. The farmers and farm workers can take benefit of these schemes according to the associated provisions and guidelines.