PM announces high-level task force on structural reforms in agriculture

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Prime Minister Narendra Modi has announced the creation of a high-level task force on structural reforms in agriculture.

Briefing media after the Fifth Meeting of the Governing Council of NITI Aayog chaired by the Prime Minister, NITI Aayog Vice Chairman Rajiv Kumar said the Committee will be formed in near future and report will be submitted in next 2 to 3 months.

Mr Kumar said rainwater harvesting, drought situation and relief measures, aspirational districts, and security-related items were among the items of the agenda of the meeting. He said the Prime Minister stressed on the need to promote export and every state should focus on export to enhance the economy.

He said discussion also took place on agro-processing, value addition and supply chain and investment in the agriculture sector. Dr Kumar sais the states have appreciated the initiatives on Aspirational Districts and the Prime Minister suggested to choose backward blocks for the development.

Dr Kumar said extensive deliberations were held on Left Wing Extremism and Jammu and Kashmir issue. He said development works have picked up in the LWE areas and LWE infested areas have shrunk and Centre is standing with States to tackle the menace. He said the situation in Jammu and Kashmir has improved and Centre will focus on the development of the State.

NITI Aayog Chief Executive Officer Amitabh Kant said that NITI Aayog will look into the suggestions to review National Disaster Response Fund and State Disaster Response Fund and subsidy on drip irrigation. He said many states stressed the need to make amendment to the Agricultural Produce Market Committee Act and Essential Commodities Act.