New Delhi: The average monthly income of farmers in Odisha is the second lowest in India after Jharkhand, Union Agriculture Minister Narendra Singh Tomar told the Lok Sabha on Tuesday.
The average monthly income per agricultural household during July 2018-June 2019 was Rs 5,112 in Odisha, while for Jharkhand the figure was Rs 4,895, the Minister said.
Tomar was replying to a question by Congress leader and Koraput MP Saptagiri Ulaka.
Meghalaya tops the list at Rs 29,348 average monthly income.
Ulaka asked whether the Centre carries out any annual survey to measure farmers’ expenditure and income in the country.
“National Statistical Office in its 77th round carried out a survey on ‘Situation Assessment of Agricultural Households and Land and Livestock Holdings of Households’ in rural areas,” Tomar said.
“The government 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 report to the government in September, 2018 containing the strategy for doubling of farmers’ income by 2022. The government has constituted an empowered body to review and monitor the progress,” he added.
