Farmers | Report Card Series | Ep6

Several agricultural policies such as the Pradhan Mantri Kisan Maandhan Yojana (PMKMY) and initiatives for enhancing organic farming were introduced by the NDA government post-2014. Despite promises of a substantial ₹25 lakh crore investment to enhance farm productivity, the analysis reveals a drastic shortfall, with actual expenditures increasing by only ₹3.98 lakh crore, constituting an 84% deficit from the promised amount.
Under the PMKMY that promises small farmers pensions at age 60, eligibility for enrollment is between the ages of 18 to 40. However, out of an estimated 13 crore small farmers, only 5 crore fall within this age range, and merely 23 lakh have enrolled in the scheme. Additionally, enrollment under the Pradhan Mantri Fasal Bima Yojana stood at only 42% for 2023-24, according to a PIB report, highlighting significant gaps in the implementation of farmer welfare schemes.
Further examination reveals that while the government has stopped recording farmers' deaths for the past eight years, it continues to promise enhanced agricultural outputs and reduced imports. Despite claims of policies designed to bolster agricultural exports and reduce imports, India remains the eighth largest global importer of agricultural products. Even the Pradhan Mantri Krishi Sinchai Yojana, which promised extensive irrigation projects, has shown underperformance.
These findings illustrate not only a disjunction between governmental rhetoric and actual implementation but also potential misrepresentations and violations of the intended agricultural policies, underpinning a pattern of unmet commitments and inadequate policy execution in the agricultural sector.

Special thanks to Vivek Gilani & Team

Sources:

https://mumbaivotes.com/
https://blog.mumbaivotes.com/
https://blog.mumbaivotes.com/wp-conte...

PMKMDY - Pension scheme for farmers above 60 years:
https://sansad.in/getFile/loksabhaque...

Investment of Rs.25 lakh crore to improve the productivity of the farm sector:
https://pib.gov.in/PressReleaseIframe...

Zero Interest Loans:
https://sansad.in/getFile/loksabhaque...

Pradhan Mantri Fasal Bima Yojana:
https://pib.gov.in/PressReleasePage.a...

Data on Farmer’s suicide:
https://www.ndtv.com/india-news/centr...

Reducing all agricultural imports and instituting a predictable export and import policy with a built-in mechanism for encouraging exports and discouraging imports:

https://eparlib.nic.in/bitstream/1234...
https://commerce.gov.in/about-us/divi...
https://agriwelfare.gov.in/en/Agricul...

eCommerce portal for marketing of chemical-free farming produces:
https://www.jaivikkheti.in/shop
https://sansad.in/getFile/loksabhaque...

Goshalas in the country will be linked to the promotion of organic farming:
https://www.fert.nic.in/sites/default...
https://www.niti.gov.in/sites/default...


Establish a network of mobile veterinary dispensaries to provide doorstep service to farmers:
https://dahd.nic.in/sites/default/fil...
https://sansad.in/getFile/annex/259/A...

National Feed and Fodder Mission to eliminate the shortage of fodder:
https://sansad.in/getFile/loksabhaque...
https://eparlib.nic.in/bitstream/1234...
https://dahd.nic.in/sites/default/fil...

National Bee-keeping and Honey Mission to ensure additional returns to the farmers:
https://pib.gov.in/PressReleasePage.a...
https://agriwelfare.gov.in/sites/defa...
https://sansad.in/getFile/loksabhaque...

68 Pradhan Mantri Krishi Sinchai Yojana projects in phases up to December 2019:
https://sansad.in/getFile/loksabhaque...
https://sansad.in/getFile/loksabhaque...