Four states working on new Contract Farming Act

The government today said that only four states -- Tamil Nadu, Uttar Pradesh, Odisha and Karnataka -- have started work on the new Contract Farming Act that was sent to states on May 22 this year.

Minister of State for Agriculture Gajendra Singh Shekhawat said 21 states have implemented the previous contract farming act in the country and work was being carried out in some states.

Replying to supplementaries during the Question Hour in the Rajya Sabha, the minister said the provisions of the new model Contract Farming Act have been changed in such a way that interests of farmers are taken care of.

He said the earlier contracts under the old act were framed in such a way that were inclined in favour of agencies.

However, under the new act, a robust mechanism has also been included to help settle disputes within a specific time- frame.

"The new act has only been implemented three months ago and work has stated in states of Tamil Nadu, Uttar Pradesh, Odisha and Karnataka, but no details of the work started are yet available.

"The earlier contract farming act...work is continuing in various states including Andhra Pradesh and Madhya Pradesh, where