Empowering India’s Farmers

Source: PIB
GS III:  Inclusive Growth and issues arising from it.

Overview

1. News in Brief
2. Key Highlights
3. Major Government Initiatives

Why in the News?

The Press Information Bureau highlighted how India transformed its agricultural sector over the last 12 years.

News in Brief

• India’s agriculture sector has witnessed an expansion in farmers’ empowerment.
• Improved market access, higher investments, technology-driven reforms, food security, and climate- resilient farming.
• One among the four pillars of India’s Vision under Viksit Bharat – Empowering India’s Annadata (Farmers).

Key Highlights

• Agricultural Growth
  • The agricultural sector contributes about 18% of India’s Gross Value Added (GVA).

    

  • Agriculture and allied sector GVA increased from rupees 20.9 lakh crore (2014-15) to rupees 48.7 lakh crore ( 2023-24).
• Growth in Food grain production
  • Increased from 265.05 million tons (2013-14) to 357.73 million tons ( 2024-25).
• Increased budgetary support
  • Budget allocation for the Department of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare increased from rupees 27,663 crore (2013-14) to rupees 1.40 lakh crore (2026-27).
• Farmer Income Support
  • Under PM-KISAN, eligible farmers receive rupees 6 thousand annually through Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT).
  • More than rupees  4.28 lakh crore has been transferred to over 9.44 crore farmers.
• Crop Insurance Coverage – Under PM Fasal Bima Yojana (PMFBY)
  • More than 4 crore farmers are insured annually.
  • Claims worth rupees 1.96 crore disbursed.
• MSP and Procurement Expansion 
  • MSP is fixed at least 50% above production cost since 2018-19.
  • MSP value reached rupees 26.32 lakh crore during 2014-26.
  • Agricultural procurement increased by 76% between 2014 and 2026.
• Expansion of agricultural credit
  • Kisan Credit Card (KCC) accounts increased from 6.46 crore to 7.81 crore.
• Sustainable Agriculture
  • Nearly 26 crore Soil Health Cards issued.
  • 2,996 climate-resilient crop varieties released.
  • 9 lakh hectares brought under Natural Farming.
• Solarisation of Agriculture
  • Under the PM-KUSUM scheme, over 21.77 lakh farmers benefited.
• Strengthening of Cooperatives and FPO
  • 10,000 Farmer-Producer Organisations (FPOs) were registered nationwide.
  • Over 8.4 lakh cooperatives are covered under the National Cooperative Database.
• Agricultural Infrastructure
  • e-NAM integrated 1,656 mandis with over 1.8 crore registered farmers.

Some of the major Government initiatives

• PM Krishi Sinchayee Yojana (PMKSY) – to expand irrigation coverage and improve water use efficiency.
• PM Kisan Samriddhi Kendras (PMKSK) – One-Stop centres for providing fertilisers, seeds, soil testing and advisory services to farmers.
• PM Dhan- Dhaanya Krishi Yojana (PMDDKY) – enhancing agricultural productivity and sustainable development in low-performing agricultural districts.
• PM Formalisation of Micro Food Processing Enterprises ( PMFME) Scheme- supports micro food processing units through credit-linked subsidies, training, and market access assistance.

These initiatives of the Government laid the foundation for a more resilient, inclusive and sustainable agriculture sector, and empowered Annadatas.

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