Socio-Economic Agricultural Development of Scheduled Castes in India: An Analysis (2014-2024)

This paper examines the socio-economic agricultural development of Scheduled Castes (SCs) in India over the last decade (2014-2024). Despite constitutional safeguards and targeted policies, SC communities, who constitute a significant portion of the agricultural workforce, remain disproportionately concentrated as landless or marginal farmers and agricultural labourers, facing persistent socio-economic deprivation. This research analyses trends in land ownership, access to institutional credit, adoption of technology, participation in government schemes, and overall livelihood security. Utilizing data from national surveys, agricultural censuses, and government reports, the study assesses the impact of specific initiatives like the Scheduled Caste Sub-Plan (SCSP), the Pradhan Mantri Kisan Samman Nidhi (PM-KISAN), and land allocation programs. The findings indicate that while there has been measurable progress in financial inclusion and some asset-building, deep-rooted structural barriers—including fragmented and poor-quality landholdings, discrimination in input and output markets, and limited access to extension services—continue to hinder transformative change. The paper concludes that achieving equitable agricultural development for SCs requires a more robust, intersectional approach that combines enhanced land access, strengthened social protection, skill development for diversification, and strict enforcement of anti-discrimination laws within agrarian institutions.