The contribution of the agriculture sector to GDP is continuously decreasing. As per the second advance estimates of national income- 2022-23, the share of Gross Value Added (GVA) of agriculture and allied sectors in the total economy and growth of GVA of agriculture and allied sectors, have gone down in the last 2-3 years. However, farmers' income is steadily growing. The Union Minister of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare, Narendra Singh Tomar informed the Lok Sabha. According to the estimates, released by the Ministry of Statistics & Programme Implementation (MoSPI), the GVA of agriculture and allied sectors in 2020-21 was 20.1%, it was 19% in 2021-22 and it again came down to 18.3% in 2022-23.

Farmers’ Income

The minister also informed about farmers’ income, which is estimated through the survey conducted by NSSO. As per last “Situation Assessment Survey” conducted in 2012-13, monthly agricultural household income was estimated as Rs.6426, which increased to Rs.10218, as per the survey conducted in 2018-19. Government had constituted an Inter-Ministerial Committee in April, 2016 to examine issues relating to doubling of farmers income and recommend strategies to achieve the same. The committee submitted its final report to the government in September, 2018 containing the strategy for doubling of farmers’ income through various policies, reforms & programmes.

Centre supplements states’ efforts

The minister also informed about the efforts taken by the Centre to supplement the initiatives of the state government through appropriate policy measures and budgetary support and various schemes and programmes.

Funds for Kisan Drones

For promotion of Kisan Drones, financial assistance at 100% of the cost of drone up to a maximum of Rs. 10 lakhs per drone is provided for purchase of drones for their demonstration by institutes under Indian Council of Agricultural Research, Farm Machinery Training & Testing Institutes, KrishiVigyanKendras (KVKs), State Agriculture Universities (SAUs), State and other Central Government Agricultural Institutions and Public Sector Undertakings (PSUs) of Government of India engaged in agricultural activities.

Farmers Producers Organizations

The Farmers Producers Organizations (FPOs) are provided grants up to 75% of the cost of agriculture drone for its demonstrations on the farmers’ fields. A contingency expenditure of Rs.6000 per hectare is provided to these implementing agencies that do not want to purchase drones, but will hire drones for demonstrations from Custom Hiring Centres (CHCs), Hi-tech Hubs, drone manufacturers and Start-Ups. The contingent expenditure to implementing agencies that purchases drones for drone demonstrations is limited to Rs.3000 per hectare.

Drones available to farmers on rental basis

In order to make available drone services to farmers on rental basis, financial assistance at 40% up to a maximum of Rs. 4.00 lakhs, is provided for purchase of drones by CHCs under Cooperative Society of Farmers, FPOs and rural entrepreneurs. Agriculture graduates establishing CHCs are eligible to receive financial assistance at 50% of the cost of drone up to a maximum of Rs.5.00 lakhs per drone.