‘Double Income’ Promise For Farmers Falls Flat, Debt Burden Continues
Farmers in India are being pushed away from farming and into labouring to sustain themselves. Recently, the National Survey Office published a report concerning agricultural households in India wherein the sources of income for these families were given. The report shows that as compared to 2012-13, the increase in income from farming has been negligible, whereas that earned from labouring as doubled.
Farmers increased their monthly income from farming from ₹3,081 in 2012-13 to ₹3,798 in 2018-19, showing a mere ₹717 increase in earnings over six years. Compare this to the situation for labourers. In 2012-13, a labourer earned ₹2,071 per month which doubled to ₹4,063 per month in 2018-19.
The report states that the income of farmers increased by 60% in the six years from 2012-13 to 2018-19. Where farmers made ₹6,426 per month in 2012-13, it did certainly increase to ₹10,218 in 2018-19, but if the Rural Consumer Price Index is considered, then it is an increase of only 21% in income.