Farm sector to lose 4 million workers in 12th Plan period

The country's agriculture sector is projected to lose four million workers in the 12th Plan period, the government informed Parliament today.
As per the 11th Five Year Plan document of the Planning Commission, the agriculture sector "is projected to contribute no increase in the Eleventh Plan and a net decrease of 4 million agricultural workers over the Twelfth plan period" Minister of State for Agriculture Tariq Anwar said in a written reply to the Lok Sabha.
There is no potential for massive increase in employment in agriculture sector. However, the indirect employment is likely to increase with rise in farm production particularly in agro-processing and in support infrastructure, he said.

The sector had contributed 8.8 million job opportunities during ten years period from 1993-95 to 2004-05, he added.
The Minister said several schemes like National Food Security Mission, Rashtriya Krishi Vikas Yojana and Gramin Bhandaran Yojana launched in the agricutlural sector aim at increasing production and in the process, create additional income and employment opportunities.