"Economic, Ecological, Technological and Managerial Empowerment of Farmers" delivered by Prof. M.S. Swaminathan, FRS, Member of Parliament (Rajya Sabha) on the 3rd Shri G K Sundaram Endowment Lecture Series under the aegis of South India Cotton Association on 10.01.2008 at Cav GKD Auditorium, G. Kuppuswamy Naidu Memorial Hospital, Coimbatore
What Ails Indian Agriculture? - Growth rate of agriculture sector declined from 3.69 percent per annum during 1990-96 to 1.65 percent per annum during 1996 to 2005 - Net sown area, gross cropped area, gross irrigated area, fertilizer use, electricity consumption all declined - Growth rate of terms of trade for agriculture declined from 0.95 per cent per annum during 1990-96 to (-) 1.63 percent per annum 1996-2005. - The plight of farmers will be evident from the fact that the Punjab farmers with an average farm size of 3.79 ha, growing wheat and rice are able to earn an income which is less than the starting salary of a class IV employee (peon in Government) National Commission for Enterprises in the Unorganised Sector (2007) - 77% of India's population lives on less than Rs.20 a day - Agriculture is the largest unorganised sector - 57% of India's total employment and 73% of total rural employment come from this sector - Agriculture is getting feminised - 73% women as compared to 52% men - Small and marginal farmer households accounting for 84% of all farmer households are mostly under debt