Ministry of Agriculture & Farmers Welfare

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It has been suggested that Minister of Agriculture (India) be merged into this
article. (Discuss) Proposed since October 2015.
Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare (India)

Emblem of India.svg
Emblem of India
Agency overview
Jurisdiction IndiaRepublic of India
Headquarters
Krishi Bhavan
Dr.Rajendra Prasad Road
New Delhi
Ministers responsible
Radha Mohan Singh, Minister of Agriculture
Mohanbhai Kalyanjibhai Kundariya, Minister of State
Sanjeev Balyan, Minister of State
Website
agricoop.nic.in
The Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare (formerly Ministry of
Agriculture), a branch of the Government of India, is the apex body for
formulation and administration of the rules and regulations and laws relating
to agriculture in India. The 3 broad areas of scope for the Ministry are
agriculture, food processing and co-operation. The agriculture ministry is
headed by Minister of Agriculture Radha Mohan Singh. and Sanjeev Balyan is
the Minister of State .
Contents [hide]
1
Background
2
Origins
3
Structure & Departments
4
Programs
5
Reports & Statistics
6
See also
7
References
8
External links
8.1
Portals
Background[edit]
Agriculture is the principal source of livelihood for more than 58% of the
population of India. Agriculture provides the bulk of wage goods required by
non-agriculture sectors and most of the raw materials for the industries
sector. India is a largely agrarian economy - with 52.1% of the population
estimated to directly or indirectly employed in agriculture and allied sectors
in 2009-10.[1] The combined efforts of Central Government, State
Governments and the farming community have succeeded in achieving
record production of 244.78 million tonnes of foodgrains during 2010-11. This
record production has been achieved through effective transfer of newly
developed crop production technologies to farmers under various crop
development schemes, such as the Agriculture MMP, which is run under the

direction of the Department of Agriculture & Cooperation. Other causes

behind record production include remunerative prices for various crops
through enhanced minimum support prices.[2] Agriculture in India is of
significance because of this as well as a history of food shortages and a
growing population.
Origins[edit]
Department of Revenue and Agriculture and Commerce was set up in June
1871 to deal with all the agricultural matters in India. Until this ministry was
established, matters related to agriculture were within the portfolio of the
Home Department.[3]
In 1881, Department of Revenue & Agriculture was set up to deal with
combined portfolios of education, health, agriculture, revenue. However, In
1947, Department of Agriculture was redesignated as Ministry of Agriculture.
[3]
Structure & Departments[edit]
The Ministry of Agriculture and farmers Welfare consists of the following three
Departments.[4]
Department of Agriculture, Co-operation and Farmers Welfare. This
Department's responsibilities are assigned to it in the Government of India
(Allocation of Business) Rules, 1961 as amended time to time. Co-operation in
this context refers largely to promote farmer co-operative movements.[5] The
Agriculture MMP is another program run by this depart that aims to replicate
the agricultural e-governance projects being carried in different states at a
national level and through a variety of media.
Department of Agriculture Research and Education. This Department's
responsibilities are basic and operation research, technology development,
improving linkages between various organisations and state governments
across the country. In addition, this Department manages the Indian Council
of Agricultural Research.[6]
Department of Animal Husbandry, Dairying and Fisheries. This Department's
primary responsibilities are to increase the productivity of livestock and
aquaculture.[7]
The administrative head of the Ministry are the Secretaries of the three
departments.
Programs[edit]
A leading program of the Ministry is the Rashtriya Krishi Vikas Yojana - which
was launched in 2007 on the recommendations of the National Development
Council of India. This program sought to improve the overall state of
agriculture in India by providing stronger planning, better co-ordination and
greater funding to improve productivity and overall output. The total budget
for this program in 2009-10 was just over INR 38,000 crore.[8]
Reports & Statistics[edit]
The Ministry publishes an annual report titled "Agricultural Statistics At a
Glance". This gives a detailed picture of the state of the India's agriculture

including demographics of the agrarian sector, crop production (including

state-wise and crop-wise break-ups), rural economic indicators such as credit,
etc. The latest report has been published for 2014.[9]