Authors: Sukhveer Kaur, Dr. Vinod Kumar
Abstract: Agriculture remains the backbone of the Indian economy, supporting millions of livelihoods and ensuring food security for a population exceeding 1.4 billion. Within the agricultural sector, small and marginal farmers constitute the largest category of cultivators. Despite possessing limited land resources, these farmers make a substantial contribution to agricultural production, rural employment, and national economic development. This study examines the economic contribution of small and marginal farmers in India through an analysis of secondary data obtained from government reports, agricultural census publications, and scholarly literature. The findings reveal that small and marginal farmers account for approximately 86 percent of total operational holdings while cultivating nearly 47 percent of the agricultural land. Their contribution extends beyond crop production to employment generation, poverty reduction, food security, and rural economic sustainability. However, challenges such as fragmented landholdings, inadequate access to credit, technological constraints, and market inefficiencies continue to hinder their productivity and income growth. The study concludes that strengthening institutional support, digital agriculture, farmer-producer organizations, and sustainable farming practices can significantly enhance the economic contribution of small and marginal farmers in India.
