(FE)
In the first month since its August 9 rollout, the PM-Kisan pension scheme saw enrolment of over 14 lakh farmers, 28% of the registration being in poll-bound Haryana. The government is hopeful of covering more than 1 crore farmers in this fiscal itself as the scheme targets to attract 5 crore small and marginal farmers within the 18-40 age group in the next three years, a source said.
“Analysis of initial data (out of 7.5 lakh enrolments) suggests 35% of those who have joined are women. Since the upper age limit to join the scheme is 40 years, this indicates young female farmers are aware about the pension plan and this is indeed a positive sign (when it comes to meeting the targets),” the source added.
According to the agriculture census 2015-16, out of 12.56 crore small and marginal farmers (based on operational holdings), only 14.36% were female. The share of overall female operational land holders in all segments of farming community increased to 13.8% in 2015-16 from 12.8% in 2010-11. This shows that more and more females are participating in the management and operation of agricultural lands.
