SRINAGAR: Farmers in Jammu and Kashmir earned an average monthly income of Rs 18,918 during the agricultural year July 2018 to June 2019, according to the latest Situation Assessment Survey of Agricultural Households conducted by the National Statistics Office under the Ministry of Statistics and Programme Implementation.
This income, which is significantly higher than the national average of Rs 10,218 per month, was derived from multiple sources, including net receipts from crop production, animal husbandry, wages, non-farm business, and leasing out land, reflecting the diverse livelihood strategies in the Union Territory’s rural areas.
While Jammu and Kashmir’s farmers enjoy a relatively higher income compared to many other States, the survey also highlights that indebtedness remains a key challenge. Approximately 31.9 percent of agricultural households in the Union Territory had outstanding loans during the same period, with an average debt of Rs. 30,435 per household. Loans were taken for a variety of purposes including capital and revenue expenditure for farm business, non-farm activities, housing, marriages, education, medical expenses, and other consumption needs, underscoring the financial pressures that farming families face despite comparatively higher incomes.
The survey situates Jammu and Kashmir within a national framework, where over half of India’s 9.3 crore agricultural households are estimated to be indebted, with an average outstanding loan of Rs. 74,121. States like Kerala, Punjab, Karnataka, and Haryana show higher average debts per household, reflecting regional variations in farm size, cropping patterns, and access to institutional credit.
In addressing farmer welfare, the Government of India has reiterated its commitment to ensuring remunerative agriculture and improving farmer incomes. Minimum Support Prices (MSPs) for all mandated Kharif, Rabi, and commercial crops have been fixed at a minimum of 50 percent above the weighted average cost of production, in line with recommendations of the National Commission on Farmers under Prof. M.S. Swaminathan. Beyond MSPs, a suite of schemes and interventions aim to strengthen farm income and reduce vulnerability. These include the Pradhan Mantri Kisan Samman Nidhi (PM-KISAN) providing direct income support, Pradhan Mantri Fasal Bima Yojana (PMFBY) for crop insurance, Pradhan Mantri Kisan Maan Dhan Yojana (PM-KMY) for pension support, and the Agriculture Infrastructure Fund for investment in farm and post-harvest infrastructure.
The government is also promoting Farmer Producer Organisations (FPOs), the Pradhan Mantri Annadata Aay Sanrakshan Abhiyan (PM-AASHA) for price assurance, modified interest subvention schemes, National Beekeeping and Honey Mission, AgriSURE for start-ups and rural enterprises, and eNAM platforms for better market access. These measures are designed to combine income support, risk mitigation, and enhanced market linkages, helping farmers in Jammu and Kashmir and across India secure sustainable livelihoods while addressing structural challenges in the agricultural sector.
