Expressing some worries, credit rating agency CRISIL in its latest report has said that farmers’ income remain low in calendar year 2018, despite normal rainfall. However, the rating agency noted that non-farm incomes are on an uptrend.
As per the report, three key kharif growers such as Gujarat, West Bengal and Bihar are under the impact of weak rains, while six others such as Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh, Uttar Pradesh, Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka and Maharashtra, which saw overall normal rains, had pockets of severe deficiency and that too in the crucial months of July and August. This has impacted sowing.
CRISIL further highlighted that employment for low-skilled agricultural labourers and non-agricultural rural wages got boost on account of the government’s thrust on constructing rural infrastructure, coupled with waning impact of demonetization. It also said that wage levels are modest, but there is a steady rise.