1. Role of Government Agencies & Banks in Creating an Environment for Growth of Landless & Marginal Farmers in Rainfed Areas Ajay Kumar Farmerswelfare.org

2. Facts  Landless – about 3 Crores  Marginal farmers – about 5 Crore households  Rainfed area- about 80 million hectares or more than 60 % of total cultivable area  Some of the states like Karnataka, Maharashtra, Rajasthan, MP have more than 70 % rainfed area

3. Why we should focus on these areas & target groups-1  To minimize Suicides  To Increase Food Security  To Reduce Poverty  To Increase employment & reduce unrest amongst youth  To Reduce Subsidy on PDS, Fertilizers  Reduce Pressure on urban areas due to permanent or seasonal migration

4. Why we should focus on these areas & target groups-2  Reduce huge amounts spent on Calamity Relief specially drought  Reduce direct expenditures like NREGA  Reduce waste of financial resources by integrating services & convergence between GOI, State Government, Banks & other delivery mechanisms like NGOs etc

5. Why we should focus on these areas & target groups-3  Avoiding further degradation of Soil & Natural Resources  To break the stagnation in total food grain production by increasing contribution by rainfed areas  Increase Financial Inclusion

6. Elements of the Environment Conducive to Growth of Landless & Marginal Farmers in Rainfed Areas

7. Elements of the Environment -1  Promoting Integrated Planning by convergence between Government & Banks (CDAPS & PLP/ACPs), Universities & NGOs  Availability of Credit - Short Term & Long Term to these groups & areas  Development of Crop Planning Skills  Availability of Suitable Seeds – Variety, Quality, Quantity, Cost Effective & in Time  Possibility of investments in Production Systems on small lands  Training in Best Practices for Production with optimum use of water & other inputs

8. Elements of the Environment -2  Mechanisms for creation of Community Assets like water shed, stop dams, village forests  Availability of Common equipments for short time needs of marginal farmers  Availability of small hand & bullock driven tools & equipment  Empower landless with skills & tools

9. Elements of the Environment -3  Availability of small machines for post harvest processing – primary & secondary  Mechanisms to package & label primary produce or processed produce on service basis  Availability of Micro-marketing channels  Mechanisms for direct marketing of small quantities in urban areas

10. Elements of the Environment-4  Regulations, Services & Taxation in favor of small holdings ( e.g. Stamp Duty,)  Small Loans, Bank Charges, Collateral, Mortgage, Moratorium, Loan Periods, Loan Rescheduling in favor of these groups & areas

11. These Elements if taken care by government, agencies & banks will enable millions of marginal & small farmers in rainfed areas to jump start for their own development

12. Pl send ur feedback at  Ajay Kumar  Email – ajaykumaragri@gmail.com ajaykumaragri@gmail.com  Mobile - 09926808850

13. Thanks