NITI panel on farm sector favours model land leasing act

NITI Aayog's task force on agriculture has suggested several steps to boost the farm sector including preparing a model for land leasing act and may submit its report to the government by month end.
The panel concluded its regional consultations with states today.
"In the series of consultation with States on Agriculture, the Task Force on Agricultural Development under the Chairmanship of Vice Chairman NITI Aayog Arvind Panagariya held third and last regional consultation meeting with Northern, Eastern and North Eastern States today," a NITI Aayog press release said.
A senior official said that the panel is likely to submit it final report on farm sector by the end of this month.

"It may be encouraging to note that a consensus emerged on NITI Aayog preparing a model land leasing Act. All States also appreciated the five critical areas identified by the Task Force and the issues and suggestions highlighted in the Occasional Paper," said the statement.
The Task Force conducted regional consultations with Central and Western states in Gandhinagar on February 5 and with southern States on February 12 at Bengaluru.

It also prepared an occasional paper -- Raising Agricultural Productivity and Making Farming Remunerative for Farmers -- following the consultations with experts, farmers and farmers' representatives, scientists, activist and NGOs.

The paper has been put in the public domain at the web-site of the NITI Aayog (www.Niti.Gov.In).
The states were represented at today's meeting by Additional Chief Secretaries, Principal Secretaries of Agriculture and Allied Sectors, Directors and other Senior Officers' of State Departments.
The states favoured rejuvenation of agriculture to provide relief to the vast population. The initiatives to address the issue of declining water tables, chronic water stresses in some parts of the country were also supported by the States, it said.
The special focus on Eastern and Northeastern states for bringing green revolution and agricultural diversification to horticulture and livestock in original green revolution was also appreciated by the states.

States also favoured for higher efficiency in fertilizer use, improve soil health and addressing fertiliser subsidy.
The states pitched for more investments and reforms in agricultural research to provide adequate opportunity and space to private sector and responding to users need. Reforms in agricultural marketing and encouraging farmers' producer organisations (FPOs) were also emphasised.