The Ministry of Agriculture & Farmers Welfare provided an update on the progress of the 11th Agricultural Census for the reference year 2021-22, which commenced in 2022. The census is conducted every five years in collaboration with States and Union Territories through a three-phase fieldwork methodology.
In Phase I, data on primary characteristics of agricultural holdings and area operated are collected on a complete enumeration basis. Phase II collects data on characteristics like cropping pattern and irrigation status from randomly selected 20% of sample villages in each Tehsil. Phase III gathers data on input use pattern of operational holdings from randomly selected 7% of sample villages in each Tehsil. All three phases have been completed within the scheduled timeframe.
The Agricultural Census serves as a reliable database on socio-economic aspects of operational holders in India, providing critical information for agricultural policy formulation. It delivers data on the number, size, and distribution of operational holdings by classes (marginal, small, semi-medium, medium, and large), tenancy status, consolidation of holdings, and land distribution. This information supports efficient planning for land utilization, irrigation facilities, crop diversification, mechanization, and other agricultural inputs. The census also provides specific data on woman-operated land holdings to support gender-based agricultural interventions.
Additionally, the census data enables the government in efficient allocation of subsidies, credit facilities, targeting rural development programs, and establishing national and regional agricultural priorities. It serves as a key data source for researchers, planners, and other stakeholders in the agriculture sector. Minister of State for Agriculture and Farmers Welfare, Shri Ramnath Thakur, provided this information in a written reply to the Lok Sabha on July 21, 2026.