National Commission on Farmers (NCF), India: A Comprehensive Overview

Introduction

Agriculture is the backbone of the Indian economy, employing nearly 50% of the population and contributing significantly to GDP and rural livelihoods. Despite its importance, Indian farmers have long faced challenges such as low productivity, inadequate infrastructure, market volatility, debt burden, and climate-related risks.

To address these issues, the Government of India established the National Commission on Farmers (NCF) in 2004. The NCF was mandated to evaluate the situation of Indian agriculture, suggest measures to improve farmer welfare, and recommend policies for sustainable growth. This initiative represents a holistic approach to agricultural reform, focusing on economic, social, and technological dimensions.

Background and History

1. Agricultural Context in India
   • Post-independence, India witnessed the Green Revolution, which significantly increased cereal production but neglected small farmers and marginal crops.
     
     
   • Farmers in marginal and rain-fed areas continued to face low productivity, debt, and distress, leading to social and economic disparities.
     
     
2. Need for a National Commission
   • Rising farmer suicides, indebtedness, and stagnation in agricultural growth prompted the government to explore comprehensive solutions.
     
     
   • Existing policies lacked a farmer-centric approach, focusing more on production rather than welfare, income, and sustainability.
     
     
3. Establishment of the National Commission on Farmers
   • The Government of India constituted the NCF under the Ministry of Agriculture in 2004, chaired by M.S. Swaminathan, the renowned agricultural scientist.
     
     
   • The mandate was to assess farmer issues, suggest policies for income enhancement, and promote sustainable agriculture.
     
     
   • The Commission submitted reports in five volumes, covering various aspects of Indian agriculture, farmer welfare, and rural development.

Objectives of the National Commission on Farmers

The NCF was designed with multiple objectives to address holistic farmer welfare:

1. Enhance Farmer Income and Livelihood
   • Recommend measures to increase agricultural profitability and income security.
   • Promote diversification into high-value crops, horticulture, and allied sectors.
     
     
2. Sustainable and Eco-Friendly Agriculture
   • Encourage eco-friendly farming practices, soil health management, and water conservation.
   • Reduce dependency on chemical fertilizers and unsustainable inputs.
     
     
3. Risk Management and Credit Security
   • Suggest comprehensive crop insurance, credit access, and market support for farmers.
   • Address farm debt and distressed farmer issues.
     
     
4. Technological and Scientific Advancement
   • Promote modern farming techniques, high-yielding varieties, biotechnology, and precision agriculture.
     
     
5. Institutional Reforms
   • Recommend reforms in agricultural marketing, cooperatives, research institutions, and extension services.
     
     
6. Policy Recommendations for Inclusive Growth
   • Ensure marginal, small, and women farmers benefit from policies.
   • Promote social security, pensions, and healthcare for farmers.

Composition of the National Commission on Farmers

The NCF had a multi-disciplinary composition to address the diverse issues of Indian agriculture:

1. Chairperson: M.S. Swaminathan (renowned agricultural scientist)
   
   
2. Members: Experts in agriculture, economics, agronomy, social sciences, rural development, and allied sectors
   
   
3. Secretariat: Provided administrative support and coordinated data collection, research, and policy drafting
   
   
4. Technical Committees: Focused on specific sectors like crops, livestock, fisheries, horticulture, credit, marketing, and risk management

Key Reports and Recommendations

The NCF submitted five major reports addressing different aspects of farmer welfare:

1. First Report: “Strategies for Doubling Farmer’s Income”

• Emphasized productivity enhancement, crop diversification, and value addition.
• Recommended promotion of high-value crops like fruits, vegetables, and horticulture.
• Suggested measures for integrated farming systems and water-efficient agriculture.

2. Second Report: “Credit, Insurance, and Risk Management”

• Highlighted the importance of institutional credit for farmers.
• Advocated for comprehensive crop insurance schemes and risk mitigation mechanisms.
• Suggested interest-free or low-interest loans for small and marginal farmers.

3. Third Report: “Farm Mechanization and Technology”

• Promoted mechanization suitable for small landholdings and hilly terrains.
• Suggested technology transfer from research institutions to farmers.
• Advocated precision farming, soil testing, and efficient input use.

4. Fourth Report: “Agricultural Marketing and Price Policy”

• Recommended reforms in agricultural marketing and supply chains.
• Advocated for minimum support price (MSP) assurance, e-marketing, and value chain development.
• Suggested promotion of farmer-producer organizations (FPOs) and cooperatives.

5. Fifth Report: “Social and Economic Security for Farmers”

• Proposed social security measures like pension, health insurance, and income support.
• Addressed farmer suicides, indebtedness, and rural distress.
• Recommended inclusive policies targeting women, marginal, and tenant farmers.

Implementation and Impact

1. Policy Influence
   • Recommendations of NCF have influenced schemes such as Rashtriya Krishi Vikas Yojana (RKVY), Pradhan Mantri Fasal Bima Yojana (PMFBY), National Food Security Mission (NFSM), and farmer income enhancement programs.
     
     
2. Farmer Income Enhancement
   • Promotion of crop diversification, horticulture, animal husbandry, and allied sectors has increased farmer income in some regions.
     
     
   • Encouraged value addition, post-harvest management, and rural entrepreneurship.
     
     
3. Risk Mitigation
   • Crop insurance schemes and institutional credit reforms have reduced vulnerability of farmers to crop failures and debt.
     
     
4. Technology Adoption
   • Modern techniques in irrigation, mechanization, high-yielding varieties, and precision farming were introduced in pilot projects.
     
     
5. Social Security Measures
   • Recommendations led to the introduction of farmer pension schemes, health coverage, and minimum income support programs.

Challenges Identified by NCF

1. Fragmented Land Holdings
   • Small and scattered landholdings limit mechanization and productivity improvements.
     
     
2. Low Access to Credit
   • Many farmers, especially marginal and tenant farmers, lack access to institutional credit.
     
     
3. Climate Vulnerability
   • Agriculture remains highly dependent on monsoon and susceptible to drought, floods, and extreme weather events.
     
     
4. Market Access and Price Risks
   • Inadequate market linkages and price volatility affect farmer profitability.
     
     
5. Low Awareness and Training
   • Farmers often lack knowledge of modern farming, technology adoption, and post-harvest management.
     
     
6. Debt and Distress
   • High levels of farmer indebtedness and lack of social security lead to rural distress.

Key Recommendations of NCF

1. Income Security Measures
   • Ensure targeted income support for small and marginal farmers.
   • Introduce crop insurance, minimum support price, and rural employment programs.
     
     
2. Diversification and High-Value Crops
   • Promote horticulture, floriculture, medicinal plants, livestock, fisheries, and agroforestry.
   • Encourage farm-based enterprises and value addition.
     
     
3. Credit and Institutional Support
   • Expand institutional credit and low-interest loans.
   • Strengthen cooperatives, farmer-producer organizations, and microfinance.
     
     
4. Technology and Research
   • Promote precision agriculture, mechanization, soil health management, and modern irrigation.
   • Ensure technology transfer from research institutions to farmers.
     
     
5. Market Development
   • Reform agricultural marketing, strengthen supply chains, and enable e-marketing.
   • Support FPOs, cooperatives, and farmer collectives.
     
     
6. Social Security
   • Introduce farmer pension schemes, health insurance, and welfare programs.
   • Ensure protection for women and tenant farmers.
     
     
7. Sustainability and Climate Resilience
   • Encourage organic farming, water conservation, soil health management, and eco-friendly practices.

Future Relevance of NCF

1. Farmer Income Doubling Goal
   • NCF’s recommendations provide a roadmap for the government to double farmer income by 2025–30, through diversification, value addition, and market integration.
     
     
2. Sustainable and Climate-Resilient Agriculture
   • Promotion of eco-friendly and climate-resilient practices ensures long-term sustainability.
     
     
3. Technology Integration
   • Integration of digital agriculture, precision farming, and data-driven advisory services can enhance productivity and reduce risks.
     
     
4. Inclusive Growth
   • Focus on marginal, small, and women farmers, along with social security, ensures equitable agricultural development.
     
     
5. Policy Formulation and Governance
   • NCF continues to influence state and central agricultural policies, bridging the gap between research, extension, and farmer welfare.

Conclusion

The National Commission on Farmers (NCF) stands as a landmark initiative for comprehensive agricultural reform in India. By addressing economic, social, and technological dimensions, the NCF provides holistic strategies for farmer welfare, income enhancement, and sustainable agriculture.

Its recommendations have shaped critical government programs like RKVY, PMFBY, NFSM, and farmer welfare schemes, directly impacting farmer income, livelihoods, risk management, and productivity.

While challenges like fragmented landholdings, market volatility, climate vulnerability, and low technology adoption remain, the NCF’s vision provides a robust framework for future agricultural policies, ensuring that Indian farmers can thrive economically, socially, and sustainably.