National Commission on Farmers constituted
The Government has set up a National Commission on Farmers under the Chairmanship of Shri Sompal, Member of the Planning Commission. Shri Sompal was the Union Minister of State for Agriculture with independent charge during 1998-99. As Chairman of the Commission, Shri Sompal will have the rank of a Union Cabinet Minister.
Shri Ram Badan Singh, renowned agriculture scientist and former Assistant Director General of the FAO and Shri Y.C.Nanda, an expert in rural and agricultural credit and former Chairman of the NABARD are full-time members of the Commission. Dr. R.L.Pitale, a renowned economist and Shri Chilakam Ramachandra Reddy and Shri Kunverji Bhai Jadav who have vast experience in agriculture and rural development are part-time members of the Commission. Shri R.C.A.Jain, Secretary, Agriculture & Co-operation is its Member Secretary.
The Prime Minister, in his Independence Day address last year, had announced that a National Kisan Commission would be formed to look in to the conditions and problems of farmers.
The Commission will review the status of Indian agriculture and assess the conditions of different categories of farmers in various regions. It will identify factors responsible for imbalances and disparities and suggest measures for achieving sustainable and equitable agricultural development.
The Commission will recommend policies, programmes and measures for accelerated and diversified agricultural development, which would alleviate rural poverty and impart viability and attractiveness to farming as a remunerative and rewarding profession. It will address the issues of agricultural technology and input delivery mechanism and suggest a farmer friendly framework for extension of new technologies such as agri-biotechnology and climate forecast applications with use of tools such as remote sensing technology, information technology and communication technology.
The Commission will examine issues of existing price and marketing policies and legal framework for improving the incomes and welfare of farmers. It will also address changes taking place in the national and international economic and trade environment with a bearing on livelihood sustainability and viability of small agricultural holdings.
The Commission will have a tenure of two years. Its headquarters will be in New Delhi.
This is the first national commission on farmers set up by the Government since independence to look into the issues and difficulties confronting the farming community.
(Release ID :1069)