Statement by India at the Universal Periodic Review (UPR) Working Group 27^th Session (1-12 May 2017) on Agrarian Crisis & Inadequate Safety Net for Farmers : 3^rd UPR of India. [Geneva, 4 May 2017]

   I would now like to talk regarding the issue of the farmers’ crisis. The small farm holdings and inadequate growth in off-farm employment opportunities have adversely impacted farmers’ ability to reap the benefits of the growing economy and mechanization.

2. The government of India intends to go beyond food security and develop a sense of income security to farmers. The government intends to address issues of optimal utilization of water resources, conserve soil fertility and balanced use of fertilizer and provide connectivity from farm to market.  Government of India is implementing various measures including: 1. the legalization of land leasing for accelerated and inclusive agriculture growth; 2. implementation of Pradhan Mantri Krishi Sinchai Yojna to augment the water availability for irrigation and its application efficiency; and 3. introduction of Pradhan Mantri Fasal Bima Yojna - a comprehensive crop insurance scheme to provide strong safety net to compensate farmers for their crop loss. Moreover, there are several other measures being undertaken for enhancing the farmers’ prosperity by doubling their income by 2022.

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