MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF AGRICULTURE AND FOOD
PROCESSING INDUSTRIES (SHRI TARIQ ANWAR)
(a) to (d): National Commision on Farmers (NCF) has not made any remarks in its
report that 45% of farmers wanted to quit farming. However National Sample Survey
59th Round for Situation Assessment Survey of Farmers conducted in January to
December, 2003, has indicated that 40% of the farmers felt that given a choice they
would take up some other career.
According to press report, in one of his speeches, Prof. Swaminathan has
mentioned about it by quoting from the above mentioned National Sample Survey
Report. As per the Agriculture Census, 2010-11, the total number of operational
holdings in the country has increased from 129 million in 2005-06 to 138 million in
2010-11, i.e. an increase of 6.61%. A statement indicating state-wise number and area
of holdings is annexed.
(e): The Government has taken numerous initiatives to make farming viable and
sustainable. These include stepping up public investment in agriculture; bridging yield
gaps through various schemes such as, National Food Security Mission, Bringing
Green Revolution to Eastern India, Integrated Development of 60,000 Pulse Villages in
Rain fed areas, Promotion on Oil Palm, National Mission for Protein Supplements,
Accelerated Fodder Development Programme, etc.
The Government has implemented Rehabilitation Package for distressed
farmers. Also to address the indebtedness problems of farmers, a scheme of Debt
Waiver and Debt Relief Policy for farmers was announced in 2008-09. Increased
availability of agricultural credit at reduced interest rate (for timely repayments ) has
also been ensured. The target for 2012-13 has been fixed at Rs. 5,75,000 crore ,
showing an increase of over Rs.1.00 crore over the target for 2011-12. To facilitate flow
of credit to farmers and increase financial inclusion, Government is providing Kisan
Credit Cards (KCC) to all eligible and willing farmers in time bound manner.
