Question : Ease of Doing Agri-Business Index

(a) whether the Government is proposing to introduce a new ‘Ease of Doing Agri-Business Index’, if so, the details thereof;

(b) whether States will be ranked in the index on the basis of indicators related to agri-business, if so, details of the indicators that will be the basis of such ranking and the weightage given to each indicator; and

(c) whether any extra funding will be provided to high-ranking States, if so, details of the schemes or other mechanisms through which such extra funding will be dispersed?

MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF AGRICULTURE AND FARMERS WELFARE

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(a) & (b): Agriculture being a State subject, the State Government undertakes development of perspective plans and ensures effective implementation of the programmes/schemes. Also, Government of India supplements the efforts of the State Governments through various Schemes/Programmes.

The Government has been reorienting the agriculture sector by focusing on an income-centeredness which goes beyond achieving merely the targeted production. The income approach focuses on achieving high productivity, reduced cost of cultivation and remunerative price on the produce, with a view to earn higher profits from farming. For this purpose, the Government has set a target of doubling of farmers’ income by the year 2022. The Government has constituted an Inter-Ministerial Committee to examine issues relating to doubling of farmers’ income and recommended a strategy to achieve doubling of farmers’ income in real terms by the year 2022.

To ensure that the reform agenda of Government is implemented at a desired pace by all States/UTs, a need is felt to develop a competitive spirit between the States. Keeping this in mind to rank the States through an Index i.e. ease of doing agri-business, a concept note alongwith parameters for developing an Index has been circulated to all States/UTs. The concept is to consider farming not solely as a production oriented activity carried out to achieve food security for the country, but as a business activity carried out by farmer as entrepreneur.

(c): At present, there is no such proposal.
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