10th edition of Agriculture Census data for 2015-16 released by Agriculture Ministry

On October 1, 2018, 10^th Agriculture Census 2015-16 was released by the Agriculture Ministry.

It was first launched in 3^rd February, 2016.

Highlights:

• As per the latest data, more women are participating in the farming sector with an overall increase of small and medium land holding farmers and tillers.
• The percentage of female operational land holders increased from 12.79% in 2010-11 to 13.87% in 2015-16.
• It also showed a decline of 1.53% of total operated area to 157.14 million hectare as compared to 159.59 million ha in 2010-11 data. And in terms of operated area women participation increased from previous 10.36% to 11.57%
• By the number of people tilling the land, Uttar Pradesh topped the chart followed by Bihar and Maharshtra.
• Uttar Pradesh had 23.82 million (16%) farmers and tillers in 2015-16, followed by Bihar at 16.41 million and Maharashtra with 14.71 million.
• In terms of total operated area: Rajasthan comes first followed by Maharashtra, Uttar Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh and Karnataka.
• The total operational holdings aggregate to over 146 million hectares an increase of 5.33 per cent from 138 million in 2010-11.
• Among the states, the highest increase in number  of operational holdings is topped by Madhya Pradesh  followed by Andhra  Pradesh, Rajasthan, Kerala, Meghalaya, Karnataka and Nagaland.
• Goa has witnessed  the sharpest fall and Manipur had the lowest in number of operational holdings.
• In terms of area 14 states account for 88.08% of operational holdings. They are: West Bengal, Madhya Pradesh, Andhra Pradesh, Maharashtra, Uttar Pradesh, Odisha , Rajasthan, Tamil Nadu, Telangana, Karnataka, Bihar, Chhattisgarh, Gujarat, Kerala.
• Around 86.21% of India’s cultivated and uncultivated land is under the small and marginal farmers holding less than 2 hectares of land. They have a share of 47.34% from previous have 44.31% five years earlier.
• Comparing this to the farmers holding 10 hectares and more account for just 0.57% and had a share of 9.04 per cent in the operated area.
• Semi-medium and medium operational holdings (2-10 ha) in 2015-16 were 13.22 per cent, with 43.61 per cent of operated area.
• The average size of agriculture landholding declined to 1.08 hectare in 2015-16 from 1.15 hectare in 2010-11.
• The individual, joint and institutional holdings have shown growth of 5.04%, 7.07% and 10.88%, respectively.
• The average size of farm holding was the highest in Nagaland at 5.06 hectares and the lowest in Kerala at 0.18 hectare.

Background:
i. Agriculture Census in India is conducted at five-year intervals to collect data on structural aspects of farm holdings.
ii. 1^st census was conducted with reference year- 1970-71.
iii. Previous census was conducted in 2010-11.
iv. It is carried in three phases:

• On primary subjects like the numbers and area of operational holdings,
• A detailed one based on samples from 20% of villages in each tehsil on land use, irrigation status, tenancy particulars and
• On pattern of input use.

Ministry of Agriculture and Farmer’s Welfare:
♦ Union Minister: Shri Radha Mohan Singh.
♦ Minister of State:  Shri. Purushottam R., Smt. Krishna Raj, Shri. Gajendra S.S.