What are the Main Features of the National Agricultural Policy of India?

The main features of the National Agricultural Policy are:

1. Privatisation of agriculture and price protection of farmers in the post QR (Quantitative Restrictions) regime would be part of the government’s strategy to synergise agricultural growth.

2. Private sector participation would be promoted through contract farming and land leasing arrangements to allow accelerated technology transfer, capital inflow, assured markets for crop production especially of oilseeds, cotton and horticultural crops.

3. The policy envisages evolving a ‘National Livestock Breeding Strategy’ to meet the requirement of milk, meat, egg and livestock products and to enhance the role of draught animals as a source of energy for farming operations.

4. High priority would be accorded to evolve new location-specific and economically viable improved varieties of farm and horticulture crops, livestock species and aquaculture.

5. The restrictions on the movement of agricultural commodities throughout the country would be progressively dismantled. The structure of taxes on food grains and other commercial crops would be reviewed.

6. The excise duty on materials such as farm machinery and implements and fertilizers used as inputs in agricultural production, post-harvest stage and processing would be reviewed.

7. Rural electrification would be given high priority as a prime mover for agricultural development.

8. The use of new and renewable sources of energy for irrigation and other agricultural purposes would be encouraged.

9. Progressive institutionalisation of rural and farm credit would be continued for providing timely and adequate credit to farmers.

10. Endeavour would be made to provide a package insurance policy for the farmers, right from sowing of crops to post-harvest operations including market fluctuations in the prices of agricultural produce.