NATIONAL AGRICULTURAL POLICY

 

The first ever National Agriculture Policy was announced on 28^th July, 2000. The formulation of Agriculture Policy had been under consideration of the Government for the last few years as a comprehensive National Agriculture Policy was absolutely essential to build on the inherent strength of the agriculture and allied sectors to address the constraints and to make optimal use of resources and opportunities emerging as a result of advancement in science and technology and emerging of a new economic regime.

National Agriculture Policy seeks to actualise vast untapped growth potential of Indian Agriculture, strengthen rural infrastructure to support faster agricultural development, promote value addition, accelerate the growth of agro-business create employment in rural areas, secure affair standard of living for the farmers and agricultural workers and their families, discourage migration to urban areas and face the challenges arising out of economic liberalization and globalization over the next two decades, it aims to attain:

• A growth rate in excess of four per cent annum in the agriculture sector;
• Growth that is based on efficient use of resources and conserves our soil, water and bio-diversity;
• Growth with equality, i.e. growth which is widespread across regions and famers;
• Growth that is demand driven and caters to domestic markets and maximizes benefits from exports of agricultural products in the face of the challenges arising from economic liberalization and globalisation
• Growth that is sustainable technologically, environmentally and economically.

A nine pronged strategy has been devised to meet the challenges of enhancing production and strengthening rural economies while taking care to promote technically sound, economically viable, environmentally non-degrading and socially acceptable use of country's natural resources-land and water particular.

The unutilised wastelands will be put to use for agriculture and afforestation besides reclamation of degraded lands. Integrated and holistic development of rainfed areas, conjunctive use of surface and ground water, on farm water management, sensitization of farming community with environmental concerns will be given priority. Survey and evaluation of genetic resources and safe conservation of both indigenous and exogenously introduced genetic variability in crop productivity and utility needs particular attention. The use of bio-technologies will be promoted for evolving plants which consume less water, are drought resistant, pest resistant, contain more nutrition, give higher yields and are environmentally safe. Conservation of bio-resources through their exsitu preservation in gene banks as also in situ conservation in their natural habitats through bio-diversity parks, etc will receive a high priority to present their extinction.

A regionally differentiated strategy for development of crops horticulture, floriculture, roots and tubers, plantation crops, aromatic and medicinal plants, bee keeping and sericulture shall be adopted. Live-stock breeding, dairying, poultry, agriculture shall be promoted through generation and dissemination of appropriate technologies. Research and extension linkages will be broad based and strengthened to improve effective use of new technologies. Adequate and timely supply of quality inputs such as seed, fertilizers, plant protection chemicals, bio pesticides, agriculture machinery and credit at reasonable rates to farmers will be the endeavour of the government.

Agriculture in India has suffered for want of infrastructural facilities. The National Agriculture Policy gives emphasis on stepping up public investment for narrowing regional imbalances, accelerating development of supportive infrastructure for agriculture and rural development particularly rural connectivity. A conducive climate will be created through a favourable price and trade regime to promote farmers' own investments as also investments by industries producing inputs for agriculture and agro-based industries. High priority is also given to rural electrification, development of market infrastructure and setting up of agro-processing units to reduce wastage particularly of horticulture produce, and to enhance value addition with the objective to create off- farm employment in rural areas. To safeguard the interest of farmers, National Agricultural Insurance Scheme covering all farmers and all crops throughout the country with built in provisions for insulating farmers from financial distress caused by natural disasters and making agriculture financially viable will be made more farmer specific and effective. Endeavour will be made to provide a package insurance policy for the farmers, right from sowing of the crops to post harvest operations, including market fluctuations in the prises of agriculture produce.

Indian Agriculture is characterised by predominance of small and marginal farmers. Institutional reforms will be so pursued as to channelize their energies for achieving productivity and production. The approach to rural development and land reforms will focus on the following areas:

• Consolidation of holdings all over the country on the pattern of north-western states
• Redistribution of ceiling surplus lands and waste lands among the landless farmers, unemployed youth with initial start with capital
• Tenancy reforms to recognise the rights of the tenants and share croppers
• Development of lease markets for increasing the size of the holdings by making legal provisions for giving private lands on lease for cultivation and agri-business
• Updating and improvement of land records, computerization and issue of land pass-books to the farmers; and
• Recognition of women's rights on land

People's participation through Panchayati Raj Institutions, Voluntary groups, social activists and community leaders shall be adequately encouraged for implementation of programmes. Progressive institutionalization of rural and farm credit for providing timely and adequate credit to farmers will be continued Cooperative sector shall be strengthened by:

• Structural reforms for promoting greater efficiency and viability by freeing them from excessive bureaucratic control and political inferences;
• Creation of infrastructure and human resource development
• Improvement in financial viability and organizational sustainability of cooperatives
• Democratization of management and increased professionalism in their operation and
• Creating a viable interface with other grassroots organization

Sophisticated techniques including latest information technology, remote sensing technology etc. Will be used for compilation and dissemination of information in the process of planning and policy making