Centre's draft farm policy looks to restore state autonomy in agri-markets

Following the repeal of the 2021 farm laws, a new policy looks to pass the baton of enacting wide-ranging agricultural reforms to states, a position that they held earlier

After backing down in the face of farmers’ protests over the now-repealed farm acts, the Centre’s new draft policy framework on agriculture marketing is looking to put the onus of freeing agriculture markets back onto states. It has also called for a more collaborative approach between the Centre and states in reforming farm markets. 

 

The draft, released a few days back for public comments, also talks of setting up a GST-like body for building consensus with states on various outstanding issues vis-a-vis farm marketing, including a unified national market for agricultural produce with single licensing and single fees, a holy