Farmers in Punjab have accused the Central government of neglect, but official data suggests otherwise. The present administration has allocated more financial aid to the farming community than ever before.
Since 2013-14, the budget for the Agriculture and Farmers’ Welfare Ministry has surged from Rs 27,662.67 crore to Rs 1,25,035.79 crore in 2023-2024. Food grain production has soared from 265.05 million tonnes to a record 329.69 million tonnes in 2022-23, marking the highest-ever output.
Horticulture production also hit a historic high at 351.92 million tonnes in 2022-23. Additionally, agricultural and allied exports have risen from $50.24 billion in 2021-22 to $53.15 billion in 2022-23, an increase of 5.8 percent.
The government has consistently raised the minimum support price (MSP) for all mandated crops, with significant hikes for staples like paddy and wheat. Since 2018-19, over 115.32 LMT of pulses and 51.75 LMT of oilseeds have been procured under the Price Support Scheme (PSS), benefitting millions of farmers.
Further, initiatives like the Market Intervention Scheme (MIS) have been implemented to procure perishable agricultural and horticultural commodities, ensuring fair returns for farmers. The government’s focus on Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT) has facilitated over Rs 2.81 lakh crores to more than 11 crore farmers since 2018-19.
Moreover, institutional credit for agriculture has seen a significant boost, reaching Rs 20.39 lakh crore in 2023-24, benefiting over 1,268.51 lakh accounts. Schemes like the Kisan Credit Card (KCC) have been extended to Animal Husbandry and Fisheries farmers, providing concessional credit for their needs.
A range of other measures, including agricultural mechanization, support for Farmer Producer Organisations (FPOs), and the promotion of millets, further underscore the government’s commitment to agricultural development and farmer welfare.
Additionally, pension schemes like Pradhan Mantri Kisan Maandhan Yojana (PM-KMY) and Pradhan Mantri Shram Yogi Maandhan Yojana (PM-SYM) aim to ensure old-age protection for farmers and agricultural laborers.
With over 36 lakh farmers and agricultural laborers enrolled in these schemes, the government’s efforts reflect a comprehensive approach towards uplifting the agricultural sector and ensuring the well-being of those engaged in farming activities.
