Farmers’ income has gained national attention since the Prime Minister set the goal of
doubling it in 2015. Prior to that, the focus was on food production. Indian agriculture
despite its achievements in food security saving the country from severe food shortage
and disgrace, remained in news for the distress farmers faced. The sector has presented
a case of unhappy farmers running a successful sector. In this context, this book
analyses the status, sources, distribution, and determinants of farmers’ income, and
explores strategies for improvement. It also presents a case for focussing on farmers’
welfare, i.e. thinking beyond income during the Azadi ka Amrit Kal. It reviews longterm
agricultural trends and provides evidence-based recommendations. The book is a
compilation of well researched articles, peer reviewed, on various aspects of farmers’
income and welfare.

Features:

• Presents a comprehensive study of farmers’ incomes in India, utilizing five datasets from 2002-03 to 2021-22 and employing heat maps to illustrate trends.
• Examines the evolution of agriculture over seven decades, highlighting paradigm shifts in food, nutrition, and income security. The book introduces the Farmers’ Welfare Index and advocates for prioritizing farmers’ welfare nationally.
• Investigates challenges in income enhancement and measurement, distribution patterns, and the impact of farm size, social status, and market access.