This is the really pertinent question that needs to be answered by the scientific community and advise the policy makers. It is a very simple question but very complex in nature. Agriculture in India, still in subsistence nature in most of the states. The average holding is only 2.9 acres (1.15 ha), which is very small. 11.86 crore cultivators (family members excluded) and 14.43 crore agricultural labourers (family members position unknown). Around 55% of net sown area is rainfed (I assume it is more, the data might have included the areas where life-saving irrigation availability is there) and 45 % is under irrigation. The average annual net income for a farmer from two crops from a rainfed area (many times single crop) is on average 20000-25000 per acre. From irrigated area, it is possible to take two or three crops, where the income may be around 50000-60000. Small (

It’s indeed a gigantic challenge in Indian context and realisation of any big target requires a clearly defined vision, a carefully crafted strategy for achieving it, sufficient financial resources to support the efforts and, above all, a champion minister/official/technocrat to lead and persevere on the path until the goal is reached. See the link...

http://indianexpress.com/article/india/india-news-india/farm-incomes-dreaming-to-double-2939405/

And 'beyond all', the sheer will of the society to go further. But, I am wondering, how possible is this? From my experience, it is not so easy, considering the current situation. Therefore, my answer to the question is no, under the present circumstances.

Regards

Some of my degrees are agriculture related and I chose these studies because I had seen extreme poverty In a neighboring country to mine.  But i have since concluded that extreme poverty throughout the world is primarily due to socio-political factors. I have lived in both socialist and capitalist countries, and the problems were surprisingly similar.  

An Indian doctor told me that "India is a womb." Meaning that ideally it should be able to sustain everyone. Yet I am personally worried about the small average sizes of  farms. Except for flooded rice and a very few specialty crops with limited markets, they are getting too small. The obvious rural land area problem can be kept from getting worse by reducing the birth rate. When I worked in the equatorial Pacific Islands we noticed that improving the education of the  women reduced the birth rate down to around replacement rate without any added intervention. Of course this depends on truly competent teachers, not merely teachers that have somehow obtained licenses.

Educated mothers will also improve the quality of the voters and future bureaucrats. In the very lowest income areas cottage industries (again involving the women will help). It is essential that women have the opportunity to take part in the economy outside the home. But beware of creating economic pressures that force mothers out of the home even when their children need them there. That might be the source of the present decline of the US (decreasing life span, general dissatisfaction, increasing drug problems, etc.). 

Sorry I have no suggestion for quickly raising the incomes spectacularly except for looking into the possibility of shortening the number of steps from farmer to market (less middlemen). Farm cooperatives are great so long as they include all ethnic groups which might wish to participate. 

My sincere thanks to Giridhar, Yogesh, Aristidis, Abhishek for opening the discussion and for valuable comments. 

Thank you Job Namadu for answer in message that Improved technology that lowers cost of production has potential to even triple farmers income. I appreciate your reply.

An excellent question put forward Dr Malhotra. I strongly feel , we can double the income from the present level , but a lot depends upon the the extent of production -oriented  dividends available to the farmers . Unless , farmer is favorably  paid  enough incentive for higher productivity , the whole gamut of initiatives, either  emerging at the end of scientists/researchers or at the end of policy makes, all be a in vain exercise. 

Farmer income will no doubt double; the real question is how long will it take? You might wish to take a look next door. Per earner nominal income in rural Bangladesh increased by 125 percent between 2000 and 2010 (CPI rose by 59 percent).

The prosperity of any country depends upon the prosperity of farmers. emergence of Integrated Farming Systems (IFS) has enabled us to develop a framework for an alternative development model to improve the feasibility of small sized farming operations in relation to larger ones. Integrated farming system is a commonly and broadly used word to explain a more integrated approach to farming as compared to monoculture approaches.

Farming system is a set of agro economic activities that are interrelated and interact with themselves in a particular agrarian setting

Farming system is a mix of farm enterprises such as crop, livestock, aquaculture, agro forestry and fruit crops to which farm family allocates its resources in order to efficiently manage the existing environment for the attainment of the family goal.

Farming system represents an appropriate combination of farm enterprises (cropping systems, horticulture, livestock, fishery, forestry, poultry) and the means available to the farmer to raise them for profitability

recycling and utilization of other available resources in the farm.

Create adequate employment opportunities

seven strategies:

– Big focus on irrigation with large budgets, with the aim of “per drop, more crop”

– Provision of quality seeds and nutrients based on soil health of each field

– Large investments in warehousing and cold chains to prevent post-harvest crop losses

– Promotion of value addition through food processing

– Creation of a national farm market, removing distortions and e-platform across 585 stations

– Introduction of a new crop insurance scheme to mitigate risks at affordable cost

– Promotion of ancillary activities like poultry, beekeeping and fisheries.

Farmers’ income can be improved if we ensure agricultural commodities produced get a remunerative price through a transparent price discovery mechanism. It can also happen due to improved income from allied activities to agriculture and non-farm sector or even wage employment during the agricultural off season. The strategy must integrate them all. Given the time horizon of six years, doubling of farmers’ income must be attempted by creating a framework where all related agencies come together and work together.

Well, all previous answers are respectable and raise important issues. However, I would like to add one substantial point about sharing responsibilities. The sector of agriculture is an output of integrated processes between governmental decisions, farmers commitment  and community support. The agricultural strategy should be a collaborative effort between these three parties. If cooperation is realized, the results will be positive but this is rarely happening and the real world is very different and complicated.    

Again, it is important to point out that what is sought to be doubled is the income of farmers, not output or value added or the GDP of the agriculture sector. If technology, input prices, wages and labour use could result in per-unit cost savings, then farmers’ incomes would rise at a much higher rate than the rate of increase in output. Another very important source of an increase in farmers’ income is the relative increase in prices of farm products compared to non-agricultural commodities. Past estimates of farm incomes show a significant difference between growth in output and growth in farmers’ income. Between 2004-05 and 2011-12, agricultural output at constant prices increased by 34 per cent while real farm income per farmer increased by 63 per cent. In nominal terms, the output became 2.65 times while farmers’ income tripled in the eight-year period. Therefore, a doubling of farmers’ income should not be viewed as the same as a doubling of farm output.

The primary sector of the economy "comprises agriculture, forestry, hunting and fishing" 1 which provides "food, industrial raw materials and exportable surplus for the international exchange of imported capital goods, raw materials and consumer goods". In Ecuador, the agricultural sector is a dynamic and vital part of the economy, employing a large proportion of the labor force, which provides income for almost 40% of the population and contributes almost 50% of foreign exchange to the country . It also produces a wide variety of foods, fibers and other products that allow food and clothing to the population and also supplies the essential inputs for the industrial process.

For FAO, the role of agriculture in the development process has been reconsidered and re-evaluated from its point of view of its contribution to industrialization and its importance for harmonious development and political and economic stability. On the other hand, agriculture itself has become a form of industry, as technology, vertical integration, marketing and consumer preferences have evolved according to patterns that are more in line with the profile of comparable industrial sectors, Often with a remarkable complexity and richness in its variety and scope. This has meant that the development of agricultural resources is increasingly sensitive to market forces and is more closely integrated into the factors of industrial interdependence.

Agricultural products are determined by technologies of increasing complexity and incorporate the results of major research and development efforts, and increasingly respond to refined individual and collective preferences with respect to nutrition, health and the environment. Although there is still a distinction between the production phase of raw materials and that of processing and processing, in many cases this distinction is blurred because of the complexity of technology and the extent of vertical integration: the industrialization of agriculture and The development of agro-industries are, in effect, a common process that is generating an entirely new type of industrial sector.

Thank you Dr. Barbara and Dr. Anoop for input you both have given.

Good points Dr. Mohammmad, Prem babu, Yogesh and Salah

The target group referring to the farmers in the question is presumed to be the small and marginal farmers. The answers posted already have nicely focussed and discussed key issues and points. The different issues like government policies for minimum sale price, social and political issues are well discussed.

The approaches for solution to this question need to consider different issues for small, marginal and medium farmer groups. There are marked differences in access to irrigation, inputs use like fertilizer consumption and HYV adoption among small, marginal and large farm units.

http://www.indiaenvironmentportal.org.in/files/file/Farm%20Size.pdf

http://www.igidr.ac.in/pdf/publication/WP-2012-014.pdf

Most of the times the enhancement of farm income had been achieved, but due to poor financial management the living standard cannot be improved or sustained. Does this issue also need to be addressed?

The Reserve Bank of India statistics revealed a decline in proportion or rural branches in 2014 (38.5%) from that in 2006 (44.0%). Further, the statistics revealed that the overall borrower to member ratio, which is a useful indicator of access to credit from PACS (Primary Agricultural Credit Societies), continued to fall in 2014 from 2011 level.

World Bank (2015) reported that the bank account penetration, frequency of account operation and number of adult account holder (53%) are very low in India. About 70% of the marginal (

Some very good points Dr Nilay. Minimum support price , crop insurance ,  market intelligence , produce procurement policy , cold chain /value  chain management ,  etc hold equally paramount utility while eyeing at doubling the farmers income..

We also need to focus our attention , how stringently , we are in a position to sustain the multiple functions of soil beyond goods and services , friends . Unfortunately , such soil fertility functions are far beyond any economic assessment , but adds so handsomely towards the livelihood security vis-a-vis doubling/tripling income like exercise..? . We also need to keep an open eye to changing land use pattern vis-a-vis climate change related issues as well to provide the required dynamism to agriculture as such..?

Farmer, a person related to the motherland soil, nature and have a marvelous skill to generate grains, fruits and vegetables which actually sustaining a great populations, a great job but have least earning. If we wanna to double their income we have to consider all the cluster of problems, resources, farming practices and polices available to them and have to consider how much they are aware of all these rights and market policies. with the initial substrates soil and seeds to the market policies and integration of all issues which they face all have considerable impact on their lives.    

Analyzing soil quality, climate change, weather forecast, disease forecast and market demand are initially important factors.

Availability of certified seeds or planting materials, high yielding verities for particular climatic zone, proper farming practices and the best knowledge of integrated farming may enhance the production which in turns increase the income.           

Good points Dr. Giridhar that minimizing the farmer-trader link by encouraging online competitive marketing, promotion of technologies like the development of irrigation and micro-irrigation are the keys and processing rights of the crops must be  vested with farmer cooperatives or commodity-farmer groups.

 Yes Dr. Abhishek, improved income from allied activities to agriculture and non-farm sector could be intervention.

I appreciate remarks from Dr. Lewis that shortening the number of steps from farmer to market (less middlemen) and link with Farm cooperatives .

Barbara rightly mentioned about the the level of management, the state contribution to raising productivity in agriculture and related industries of agriculture, the potential used in the cultivation of varieties, the farmer's level of knowledge, level of advisory services in agriculture and many other factors

Correct Dr. Mohammmad, Farmer income will no doubt double, the period decided is by 2022. You can also refer following response from Dr. Satish

Satish, it is true, Past estimates of farm incomes show a significant difference between growth in output and growth in farmers’ income. Between 2004-05 and 2011-12, agricultural output at constant prices increased by 34 per cent while real farm income per farmer increased by 63 per cent. In nominal terms, the output became 2.65 times while farmers’ income tripled in the eight-year period.

Yes Abhishek, it needs to move from a production-driven system to one driven by demand, one that increasingly connects consumers with producers.

Several good suggestions  regarding better market, direct marketing and some  of the reasons like for low income mainly un-economic small holding etc..However, what ever measures are to be taken that is not only limited to the how farmer get more price but also the important direction HOW TO REDUCE COST OF PRODUCTION and efficient use of natural resources particularly land and water. I have given some of the possible and practical   ways  for increasing  farm income.  Also you will find a very simple model  of self sustainable agriculture that I have developed in arid zone at

 http://www.cazri.res.in/publications/AKSharma1.pdf

Please also see one of my poster on Trees the insurance cover( researchgate)

In nutshell policy decision for  promoting more self sustainable system certainly help in creasing farmers income. 

Dr Malhotra , i do not know , how efficient are we in  timely releasing the market advisory about the arrival of farm produce and the existing procurement rate about the different agricultural commodities. This is one very glaring issue. Another area, which i feel is distinctively missing about the farmer to have multiple decisions, right from land use options to implementation different agronomic practices , in addition to market options being operated through well knit market intelligence networking...Nice respons e from Dr Sharma..

Dear Xavier, the extent of vertical integration, the industrialization of agriculture and the development of agro-industries are good points for ensuring high income to farmers.

Yes Dr. Nilay, the approaches for solution to this question need to consider different issues for small, marginal and medium farmer groups. There are marked differences in access to irrigation, inputs use like fertilizer consumption and HYV adoption among small, marginal and large farm units.

Nice points Dr. Anita, availability of certified seeds or planting materials, high yielding verities for particular climatic zone, proper farming practices and the best knowledge of integrated farming may enhance the production which in turns increase the income.

Dear Arun you rightly mentioned that one of good interventions is reducing the cost of production. Farmers should use manures and fertilizers based on soil health report, use of pesticides when their application is really needed that too with recommended doses. Use of disease resistant and nutrient use efficient varieties would reduce the cost. But really we need to look into it that how we can reduce the cost in production chain. 

Another two important issues viz., development of value chain and cold chain management hold an  equally important interventions, which we often overlook...

Dear Dr. Anoop. Both of points are important from doubling of income point of view. Post harvest losses to the tune of 5 to 15% are occurring in India. If post harvest are reduced by cold chain infrastructure with provision of pack house, grading sorting, precooling, washing, drying, refer vans, cold storage etc. Again we need to use both routes local market, distant market and processing. I shall be happy to get more points.

Cold storage, vans, and packing houses? India is a very big place with huge numbers of subsistence farmers. I applaud you people for your concern. There should be more like you in this world.  But you should be thinking about where the vast amount of money is going to come from, or discussing very inexpensive per village solutions, or both. 

Dear Dr. Lewis, thank you for you positive and critical remarks. You are correct, there shall need huge investment. In India, Government has done gap analysis, today we have 250 integrated pack houses, 10000 refer trucks, 800 ripening chambers and 35 million ton capacity for cold storages. But requirement is very high and shall further need huge budget. Many more such infrastructre is needed. But a good shift has been noticed about  300 million US $ private investment has taken place in last 4 years.

Great start. Thanks.

I see many answers above. As mentioned by a few, this is not an easy task. This does not mean that it is unreachable. All important aspects in agriculture, such as research, extension and education in all aspects, marketing,  value addition and value chain, policy formulation and implementation are done to raise crop yields, ensure food security, improve livelihood, etc. 

To achieve a goal like this, one has to study the target farmer group, the environment where they do farming, the opportunities available, the capacity of the farmer  including financial status, his work force, and resources, any specific demanding produces that could be produced from his farm within technologies of his reach, etc. The best match with his capacities, resources, environment, external demand, opportunities and challenges and education would help raising incomes of the farmers. There are many examples of farmers working toward raising their incomes more than doubling. Entrepreneurial farmers are often gifts for agriculturists. They takes crucial decisions and engaged with different visions to succeed. Together with what has been suggested above, one should give a try taking a sample and working with them before scaling up the opportunities and approaches. 

Dear Dr. Senaratne, compliments and sincere thanks for remarks. It is possible to increase the income of farmers and can be doubled. Past performance has build up the confidence, the focus now is on creation of infrastructure such as microirrigation systems for increasing irrigation efficiency, creation of cold chain, market support, processing industries and linking with producers through Farmer producer organizations 

When we view crop production we are often blinded by current though. For the most part, all aspects of growing are based in mono-systems. As such we plant only one product in a plot. eg. carrots in one plot with cabbage in its' own plot etc.

It is believed this is the only way to grow produce and make money. Harvest wise, it is the easiest system as the farmer can run one harvest system for the one crop.

In relation to feeding a whole community and impacting a local economy the mono system fails.

There are older systems that can, when implemented correctly, have a much more beneficial impact on a community, region or nation.

This older system I speak of is that of companion systems (companion planting) used by nature since the beginning of earth time. With the right planting, one can produce more with greater variety in the same area that they had been planting with one crop. Additionally, with the right plants, soil quality can be maintained and even improved without industrial compounds etc.

With this system one would need a labor pool to draw from...

In this short conversation I have boosted production of produce and developed a local labor demand. Something to think about.

Dear Dr. Malhotra

This is one of the basic and good questions in the sustainable agriculture. I see many valuable answers that, if we could do one of them completely, we could resolve one problem of farmers issues. Beside all the methods and technologies for increasing plant yield, we should not forget the plant's basic agroclimatic needs. As we should consider all the issues and make a unique decision, GIS based multi criteria decision analysis could well support our aims. considering all the issues is really difficult but, this method could well handle the aims. culturing plants without attention to the land and area potential is not good. Zoning and modeling the practices before doing any extra agricultural practices is necessary. In all, the farmers don't have a deficit in instrument, they don't have any framework for doing or if yes, they are not available to farmers. 

I think before doing large project in increasing of crop yield, we should more attention to area potential, ecosystem types, structure and function of them, integrated agriculture, focusing on adapting farming systems.

Interesting discussion in progress , which has so much relevance in  any form of contemporary agriculture .  I agree with response from Behzad Secondary agriculture   coupled with  value chain and cold chain management need to be emphasized , if at all , we wish to double the farmers income . We often define these issues in collective term called entrepreneurship , that needs to be encouraged at all the levels. 

Correct Dr. Anoop, secondary agriculture is also one of answers. Reduction of cost of production, adoption high value agriculture are also important aspects to be considered.

Its like cutting down the post-harvest losses to minimum, so that mximum production oriented incentives could be realised by the farmers.

Very encouraging remarks from colleagues that we can double the income of farmers. We need to really define the conceptual basis, because several suggestions have been made such as reducing post harvest losses, provision of bee hives in crops for improving pollination and increasing productivity and get additional income from honey and other beehive products. Apart from this protected cultivation and production of high value crops, marketing infrastructure etc are the important interventions. But we need to define conceptual basis. I look forward for suggestions and valuable input.

Thanks Dr Malhotra for all appreciations..

Reinforcing producers’ organisations’ roles in orienting agricultural and agrifood

policies; helping farmers in the North and South to develop areas of alliance with each other and the civil society organisations; and raising the awareness of the public at large and decision makers in order to promote the adoption of sustainable policies that contribute to regional integration in Africa and Europe with inter-regional solidarity.

Some thoughts...

Yes farmers producers company can play a greater role in inter regional solidarity. FPO is a concept just adopted in India. Out of the total FPOs registered so far only few are successful. These are successful because traders have entered into it. But Govt is considering potential FPOs for providing infrastructural support essentially needed. Thank you Dr. Anoop, you linked a good publication where farmers market has focus on supply chain right from production to consumption.

Dr Malhotra and Abhishek , so happy to discussion propelled in such an impressive manner...

The concept of FPO and linking farmers directly from site of production to site of sale , could a good idea. Inafct , this is being practiced in some citrus growing ares of Maharashtra , where farmers are directly despatching their consignment to malls having juice centres...In remote areas of Meghalaya , in citrus growing areas of Tura, i saw  an establishment of collection centres , where growers dump their products , which are in turn , taken by the business parties....We need such innovative interventions to realise the real impact of  production , and production-oriented income ..more than double...

Dear Anoop let me share one such model. Call it the Safal model. For close to 25 years, a large chunk of households in the National Capital Region have had access to fresh fruits and vegetables at affordable prices—at rates much lower than what the local vegetable and fruits market or the handcart vendor would charge. This was made possible by standing the concept of buying on its head. Instead of the farmer coming all the way to markets where the middleman would fleece him and where he had to pay steep taxes, the market went to his doorstep. As a result, customers could get the fresh products daily, making the farm-to-fork concept a reality long before retail chains began doing so in the metros. It is the Safal model that these chains also employ.

When ever we speak about food security, agriculture has always the mainstay and has oriented dynamics towards rural economy. i am looking for the possible research and policy interventions about the possibility of doubling the income of farmers:

For realization of the ambitious goal of doubling farmers’ income, It is important to look at the possible drivers of farmers income growth that include diversification of farm activities towards high-value crops and enterprises, sufficient irrigation facility, better price realisation for farmers through competitive markets, value chains and improved linkage between field and fork, improvement in the terms of trade for agriculture, and access to updated and upgraded agro-technology.

I agree with @Vaibhvi Malhotra and others. Indeed I think you do too, that a lot more than on farm practices must be examined. I am specifically concerned that the farmers may be paying to much interest. 

improved income is related wit selection of economic  crops ,   sufficient irrigation facilities  and attractive market prices  

In reality, doubling of farmers income is not so easy. Its all depend on many factors, like farmer's interest in farming and their ability, climatic condition of the area (rainfall, temperature and humidity), soil type (whether clay or sandy loam or clay loam, etc.), water availability throughout the season, available resources (may be quality seeds/ planting materials) and the most important is the topography (Whether sloppy/ undulating/ plain/ etc.). But above all, doubling of farm income is only possible through location specific models (May be Agroforestry/Integrated Farming System/ Multi-tier system approach). 

How do we get an idea about the success of a crop or cropping sequence in a given agro-pedological conditions. .? ius it Land -Use -panning in strict sense or  farmers own wisdom..?

Good points Dr Sarkar and Dr Srivastava. Points given are ok, In addition to farming farmer may select mushroom farming, bee keeping, fish culture, dairy farming, food processing, protected cultivation also. If he can sell his produce directly to retail chain, revenue will also increase. 

Perhaps time has come to utilise the available resources , both horizontally as well as vertically through integrated farming mode . I agree with you Dr Malhotra . For a small farmer , given set of natural resource is the  sole  source of  earning his livelihood , not only for him , but his entire family as well. Important is,  how judiciously , he utilizes such resources for the  posterity ...

For sustainable production of crops, optimum utilization of resources is necessary. In this case of small farmer, integrated farming system models will work, which will ensure regular income from crops, dairy, mushrooms, bee keeping, fisheries etc.

Without rejecting good salaries to farmers, what must be the point of seeing of the farmer is to improve the quality and virtues of his products, more that a codicious planning in his work.

Surely , agriculture needs to be more sustainable  against climate change -related issues..

Doubling farmers' income is indeed a big and ambitious goal. Realisation of any bold dreams requires four things: a clearly defined vision, a carefully crafted strategy for achieving it, sufficient financial resources to support the efforts and, above all, a champion minister/official/technocrat to lead and persevere on the path until the goal is reached.

See "Farm incomes: Dreaming to double"

http://indianexpress.com/article/in...incomes-dreaming-to-double-2939405/

Some good points Dr Tripathi, you have added. The problems of farmers are so varied , that any umbrella kind of strategy would probably not work so effectively as desired. For example , we India , as you know very well, we have  regional economic zones , likewise in other countries there are other modus operandi, we neeed some kind of cluster formation to hook a particular kind of farmers with one program, while others  with a different program, something location/region specific ...

Dear Abhishek see my new question:

https://www.researchgate.net/post/How_far_an_integrated_farming_system_approach_can_sustain_the_current_agriculture_scenario [accessed Mar 4, 2017].

I am not an agricultural economist or have much expertise in food production. However one should reflect why all over the world farmers are amongst the poorest sections of virtually all groups in societies. This does not mean that there are no rich farmers, sure everywhere you find them as well, but many farmers are lacking behind income levels found by many others in societies. Industrialized countries require cheap food to keep production costs in form of wages low. Workers in so-called developed countries benefit from cheap food imports. Also cheap because the producers get a small share of the money made from food production. A first change could be to narrow the commodity chain down, to have more direct connections between producers and consumers with the results that costs of food does not increase, but the share the producers (farmers) get becomes bigger.

If a farmer cannot double his work in the same circumstances, it is very difficult that the farmer can double his income. Improving quality or improving quantity it would be possible to improve incomes.

We are optimistic, farmers income can be doubled from the present level but largely it depends upon reducing the cost of production and to the extent of production -oriented  dividends available to the farmers.  We need to link farmer directly with retails to maximize his profit. Both routes of markets for local, export and processing need to be adopted. There is need of system which is not from farm to fork but it should be fork to farm to assure procurement at good price.

I think,  we need to have a vigil eye on the climate change-related issues while addressing the issue of doubling the farmers income..

Market has to seen as major handicap in doubling the farmers income besides secondary agriculture. 

Farmers income is driven by many factors. The most important factor is the market. Until and unless our farmers are not paid the best price for their hard work, we cant double the income.

First and foremost is that, we need to eliminate number of middlemen and agents in the marketing channel.

Assured buyback and  contract farming will further boost the confidence of the farmers

Post harvest  technologies and  value addition in agricultural crops will also add to the income of farmers

Diversification in farming enterprise will act as insurance against the uncertain market  and climate change vagaries. Introduction of fast growing and product oriented trees (pulpwood, plywood ) will make the system climate resilient.

Majority of our farmers are still practicing Subsistence agriculture. Their mindset has to be changed and agriculture has to be viewed has a commercial venture then only we can compete with IT and BT sectors.

Agriculture research need to be a product and production oriented rather than only publication.  

Well narrated Dr Uthappa. Most of these issues , infact we have already debated , but most worrysome is the farmers unwilling to diversify , unless convinced. You are right , most of the small and marginal farmers still rely so heavily on subsistence farming. therefore , contribute absymally towards effective  food basket .

Yes, it is possible, there are some visible effects of such approach , but  the time taken  to display the impact is very high, thats the main issue...

We need , perhaps, different kinds of modules , depending upon the socio-economic status of the farmers in order to hasten the impact of updated techniques, what you are referring...  

So many Factors are there which have already discussed here. I personally emphasize that where are the Honesty and True interest to look after the farmer community from the different communities of the society including farmer community itself. Secondly, the most important one is that we, ourselves, can start  to help the farmer by sharing our thoughts, knowledge, money, etc. not sitting in the office or discussion here but we should go and meet them and feel the actual situation and things including Govt."s assistance. I personally feel we should first feel the real problem by going to the field. Sir, if I myself help anything in this matter, I will be obliged to you. Good Luck.

This is a very complicated question, as you know it is not easy to increase the income of farmers, but we may reduce the costs by adding some techniques to the farm and introduce some interventions. Regarding to modeling, you can use partial budget to measure any small change in the farm if it reduces the cost or increases the income, also we can introduce the integrated agriculture to raise the farmer income.

Farmers can adopt some techniques through training via extension services and research outputs. The economic dimension of such techniques has an impact to reduce input costs and maximize output profits. When it come to things like this, a model combining technique, profit, minimum cost, and maximum product unit in regard to socio-economic and environmental issue may can useful.

As we know, the seed fertilizer, cultural practices labour and transportation all prices r fixed but farmer produce don't have fixed price. As a farmer, we don't wNt higher prices but at least more than production cost so he can get something.....doubling income is easiest thing if gov can manage market....

Good suggestion Dr. Masnat. Will you please provide details on partial budgeting

Dear Dr. Suresh K Malhotra ,  we can use the partial budget to workout the cost and returns of making relatively small changes in the existing farm business, i.e. it evaluates just a segment of a whole farm plan. If you make an intervention to the farm and you have already calculated the enterprise budget, and you want just want to calculate the cost and return of the a new intervention to the farm you can use the partial budget, herein you can find an article of mine regarding the Partial budget.

Article Partial Budgeting of the Production of Salt-Tolerant Forages...

Doubling rural income in real terms would be a daunting task considering increasing agri output by 12% every year with no additional land likely to be utilized for agricultural activity. There is every possibility not only to double the income of farmers through enhancement in productivity, changes in cropping pattern, inspire additional income through many supplementary activities but also provide stability in farmers income.In its initial years of reforms started by China between 1978 and 1986, witnessed growth of 14% per annum in farm income. This led to a reduction in poverty by half by generating demand for industrial products in rural areas. Back home, agricultural growth in some states like Gujarat, Chhattisgarh, Rajasthan, Jharkhand, Himachal Pradesh and Bihar have seen upwards of 7% real agri growth. However, Madhya Pradesh (MP) remains a shining star with 15.5% real agri-GDP growth in 2010-15.

According to NSSO, the study was made in 2012-13 which showed the nominal (not adjusted for inflation) income of farmers usually doubles every six years. It pegged the income at Rs 6,426 a month in 2012-13 as against Rs 2,115 a month in 2002-03, annual increase of 11.7 per cent. For real incomes of farmers’ to double by 2021-22, agriculture and allied activities need to grow at a much faster rate than the current average. To double the income of farmers by 2022, in nominal (numerical) terms—which do not take inflation into account—would require a 15% compounded income growth rate, which is a marginal increase over the achieved increase from 2003 to 2013. There will be need to organize differently the agriculture processes & policy interventions to double the income in real manner.

How about farmers monthly pension  scheme

We can increase the farmers income through enhancing the Agricultural Risk Fund in the cases of frost, floods, pests diseases, etc.

 Thank you Dr. Masnat for suggestion. Government of India has launched Prime Minister Crop Insurance Scheme to cover the risks of farmers and motivate farmers to get insurance for crops. Government of India has also provisioned for National Disaster Relief Fund for providing support to states on occurence of disaster at when there is loss to crops more than 33%. 

Dr.Suresh K Malhotra , these are  good incentives for the agricultural sector, we hope that we can develop the Risk Fund In Jordan to be more effective

I am very happy to note that you have a positive approach and also think for the nation. Good

Dr Malhotra , considering the good suggestion by Masnat , probably we have something like disaster management fund in agriculture as well, if i am not wrong..

Probably with double work it would be possible.

Five ways to make farming more sustainable Food and agriculture

A recent workshop in Mozambique identified five ways to sustainably intensify agriculture. These are ;  ensuring immediate benefits;providing intermediate, appropriate technology ;carrying out research and technical assistance;Increased coordination and planning: and increased policy support and leadership...

Thank you Dr. Anoop Kumar Srivastava for sharing these recommendations which we have to work on to enhance farmers livelihood especially the research on the technologies and policy support to farmers

Agriculture in India is highly susceptible to risks like droughts and floods, deficient rain, untimely showers, hailstorms and other vagaries of the weather have resulted in crop loss, unstable agricultural output and unpredictable rural income. It is necessary to protect the farmers from natural calamities and ensure their credit eligibility for the next season. For this purpose, the Government of India introduced a new crop insurance policy Pradhan Mantri Fasal Bima Yojana (PMFBY) in February 2016. There were three clear outliers in the current scheme. The current scheme insured areas that were deprived of sowing/planting due to adverse weather & deficit rainfall. The scheme includes comprehensive risk insurance from sowing to harvesting mainly to cover yield losses due to non-preventable risks like drought, dry spells, flood, inundation and pests. The government is aggressively promoting a new crop insurance (PMFBY) given increased challenges by farmers due to frequent climatic disturbances.

Yes, i do agree with you Dr Malhotra, crop insurance policy needs a thorough revamping in the context of agriculture scenario of rural  India ..to give some respite to farming community from these so called uncertainities..?

Thank you Dr. Anoop for your critical feedback. Yes crop insurance plan has been implemented successfully from 2014-15 onwards and you will be surprised to know that insurance coverage is increasing every year, last year during 2016-17, 30 million farmers insured their crops. Yes you are correct at few instances revamping is needed. Weather based insurance for perennial crops and for multiple picking crops, fine tuning in guideline is needed.  Ministry of Agriculture is concerned about it, where I am also part of it.