The Hindu Business Line : Centre to table farmers’ policy in Parliament

The Centre’s much-talked-about National Policy for Farmers is likely to be tabled in Parliament on Friday. The policy, based on the recommendations of the National Commission on Farmers headed by Dr M.S. Swaminathan, aims to improve the economic viability of farming by “substantially improving the net income of farmers” and “ensure that agricultural progress is measured by the advance made in improving that income”.

Trade policy

There would be an Agriculture Coordination Committee under the chairmanship of the Prime Minister, Dr Manmohan Singh, to oversee the integrated implementation of the policy, officials told Business Line. The policy will provide for appropriate pricing and trade policy mechanisms to enhance farmers’ income and also suitable risk management measures for adequate and timely compensation to farmers.

It will further incorporate strategies for attracting and retaining youth in farming by making it both intellectually stimulating and economically rewarding, even while giving opportunities for non-farm employment for farm households, the officials added.