(a) whether the Government proposes to institutionalise contract farming in the
country;
(b) if so, the details thereof;
(c) the names of the States where this practice is prevalent;
(d) whether the concept of contract farming protects the interest of land holder
farmers; and
(e) if so, the details thereof?
MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF AGRICULTURE, FOOD PROCESSING INDUSTRIES AND
PARLIAMENTARY AFFAIRS (SHRI HARISH RAWAT)
(a) to (e): Yes, Madam. The Ministry of Agriculture has circulated Model
Agricultural Produce Marketing (Development & Regulation) Act, 2003 and Model
Rules, 2007 to the States / Union Territories for their adoption and guidance. The
Model Act provides institutional mechanism for registration, recording and dispute
settlement mechanism to encourage contract farming by the farmers. Model Act
provides that no title, rights, ownership or possession shall be transferred or
alienated or vest in the contract farming sponsor or his successor, thus protecting
the interest of land holder farmers. The list of the States where institutionalized
mechanism of contract farming practice is prevalent is given in Annexure.