Kerala’s Agricultural Sector Witnesses 61.79% Rise in Farmers' Income

Thiruvananthapuram: A new survey report has highlighted substantial growth in Kerala's agricultural sector, showing a significant rise in the average monthly income of farming families over the past five years. According to the Department of Economics and Statistics, the income of families dependent on agriculture has increased by 61.79%, now standing at Rs 28,984 per month.
In comparison, the average monthly income for these families was Rs 17,915 in 2019 and Rs 22,343 in 2021. Between 2021 and 2024, this income saw an increase of 29.72%. The survey also projects that by 2026, the average monthly income will reach Rs 33,411, a 49.54% increase from 2021 levels.
Agricultural Families and Financial Inclusion

Currently, there are approximately 19.47 lakh farming families in Kerala’s rural areas. Of these, 4.88% belong to Scheduled Castes, 2.75% to Scheduled Tribes, 45.42% to Other Backward Classes, and 46.95% belong to the general category. Around 32.04% of these families rely on agriculture as their primary source of income. Financial inclusion among farmers is also high, with 990 out of every 1,000 farming families having bank accounts. Additionally, 140 families out of every 1,000 possess Kisan Credit Cards, which help them access timely credit for agricultural activities.
The survey further reveals that 415 families out of every 1,000 have employment cards under the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Scheme (MGNREGA), and 209 families have successfully secured jobs under the scheme.
State Government's Income Growth Target

The survey, conducted in collaboration with the Agricultural Development and Farmer Welfare Department, was aimed at assessing the progress towards the state government’s target of increasing farmers' incomes by 50% within five years. This goal is part of Kerala's broader strategy to uplift the agricultural sector and improve the livelihood of its farming community.
The survey report was officially published by Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan, and it was received by Agriculture Minister P. Prasad. The findings reflect the state’s commitment to enhancing the financial well-being of its agricultural sector, which is crucial for both economic stability and food security in the region.