Impossible to double farmers' income in six years, says Abhijit Sen

Ex Plan panel member also says demonetisation took a huge toll on cultivators and labourers; favours loan waivers, is skeptical about cash support scheme

Former member of the erstwhile Planning Commission, Abhijit Sen, has said that the ambitious aim of doubling farmers’ incomes is impossible target in the period the government has set for it. Addressing an Economics Summit organised by Sri Ram College of Commerce in Delhi, he however commended the government on changing the nature of the debate from farm production to farmers’ incomes. 

“There are too many people employed in agriculture, that the sector cannot feed or provide income to these many,” he explained. 

He said that while this ails the farm sector in India, the government’s decision to demonetise high-denomination