In 100-day plan, Agri Ministry plans new Centre-state body for farm policy

It has been discussed during meetings of a Group of Secretaries (GoS), headed by Agriculture Secretary Manjo Ahuja. The group has secretaries from the ministries of Rural Development, Cooperation, and Panchayati Raj also.

The broad contours of the proposed council may emerge by the end of this month, the sources said. The federal body for agriculture and rural transformation may be set up on the lines of the Goods and Services Tax Council, which has representation of both the Centre and states.

The NCART may also have representation from both the Centre and states. While the GST Council is a constitutional body, the status of the proposed council is yet to be finalised.

Agriculture is a state subject In the Indian Constitution. It is included in the entry 14 of List II (State List) in the Seventh Schedule. However, the Centre also runs several schemes in the sector. In recent years, the budgetary allocation of the Agriculture Ministry has increased manifold.

The budget allocation of the Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers’ Welfare during 2013-14 was Rs. 27,662.67crore. This has been increased by more than five times to Rs 1,25,035.79 crores during 2023-24 BE.

The ministry also runs several flagship schemes including Pradhan Mantri Kisan Samman Nidhi and Pradhan Matri Fasal Bima Yojana. Besides strengthening these flagship programs, the ruling BJP has promised to launch a Krishi Infrastructure Mission for integrated planning and coordinated implementation of agri-infrastructure projects in its manifesto for the LS elections 2024.