Technical Session No.

Subject

Name of the Dignitaries presented theme papers

I

Innovative Economic Policies and market linkages for agriculture development in 2008-2015.

Chairman Mr. Surendra Sood
Panel Members
Dr. Haque, Dr. U.A.S, Mr. Anjani Sinha & Mr. Ganeshan.

II

Technologies and research priorities to achieve food security and sustainability.

Chairman Dr. Patil
Panel Members
Dr. Dhiraj Pant, Dr. Rishendra Verma, Dr. M.S. Sachdev & Mr. Bahuguna.

III

Organic farming – potential for production and marketing.

Chairman Dr. Yadav
Panel Members
Mr. Basavaraj Ingin, Mr. M. Sekhar Raju & Mr. Aluvar Swamy.

IV

Women farming in Indian Agriculture.

Chairman Mrs. Sushmita Soren
Panel Members
Mrs. Susheela Bai Rathod & Mrs. Parvin Kesar

V

Indian farmers – International relations.

Chairman Mr. Laurent Pellerin.
Panel Members
Mr. Deepak Ahluwalia, Mr. Dan Miller & Mr. P. Chengal Reddy.

VI

Agriculture – value addition – partnership with industry through Co-operatives.

Chairman Dr. Pathak
Panel Members
Mr. Chada & Mr. K. Somasekhar Rao.

A.  POLICY REFORMS

S.No.

SUBJECTS / ISSUES

1.

Agriculture and Irrigation should be included in the concurrent list.

2.

Agriculture Budget allotments should be in the line with GDP and 67% Agriculture population.

3.

To have a separate budget for Agriculture.

4.

Irrigation to be treated as an Infrastructure by GOI and necessary resources be provided.

5.

Commodity Boards to be handed over to Farmers Associations.

  B.  MINISTRY OF AGRICULTURE 

1.

To decentralize the Research Institution Management so as to meet the local farmers aspirations including Extension Services.

2.

GOI to take responsibility of total seed replacement.

3.

GOI to take charge of breed improvement to be completed in 5 years and also preserving local breed.

4.

Implementations of recommendations of National Farmers Commission in a time bound program.

5.

The present market interventions scheme should be automatic, whenever there is a fall in the respective commodities.

6.

Aromatic and medicinal plants sector should be clubbed and brought under the Ministry of Agriculture.

7.

Vermi compst, Vermi wash, Organic manures etc. should be standardized and subsidy extended on par with chemical fertilizers.

8.

To provide necessary funds for above mentioned research and developmental programs.

9.

M.S.P. for Agriculture products be fixed as recommended by National Farmers Commission by adopting C2 + 50%.

10.

Recommendation on Tobacco
1.  Acreage under tobacco cultivation should not be reduced.
2.  Sulphate of potash should be supplied to tobacco farmers at subsidized rates.

C.  MINISTRY OF FINANCE

1.

Simple Interest of 4% be charged on all kinds of Farmers Agricultural loans.

2.

Crop Insurance premium should be 1% Assessment of damage on individual basis and all risks covered.

3.

Loan Waiver on two successive Crop failures.

4.

Interest Waiver on one Crop failure.

5.

One time investment of 80,000 crores by G.O.I. for completion of on going irrigation programmes duly approved, or provide free power.

6.

Waiver of Excise duty on all Agriculture Inputs :
a)  Pesticides          b)  Veterinary – Vaccines etc
c)  Plastic and steel used for Agriculture implements / equipment, drip, drums.

7.

Waiver of Excise Duty high value biscuits.

8.

Relief of Excise on Food processing equipment.

9.

Tribal Councils in all tribal areas be empowered to provide credit on par with SHG.

10.

Income tax levied on Co-operative Banks and Co-operative should be withdrawn forthwith.

11.

Income tax exemption to Private Sector on investment made for Agriculture Research, Extension, Training and also infrastructure.

12.

RECOMMENDATIONS ON TOBACCO
1. Reduce the duty differential between cigarettes and other tobacco   products.
2.  Taxes on cigarettes should be kept stable.
3.  The specific duty structure for cigarettes must be retained.
4. Cigarettes should be exempted from the VAT regime and AED on  
cigarettes should continue.

D.  MINISTRY OF COMMERCE

1.

To democratize Commodity Boards with producers farmers and Processors.

2.

To evolve long term Agricultural products export policy.

3.

To establish regulatory body with Farmers as members.

4.

SEZ’s to acquire lands by directly negotiating with farmers. Government as a mediator.

E. ISSUES RELATED  TO STATE GOVERNMENT

1.

To Repeal Revenue Recovery Act for farmers dues.

2.

To hold elections to Democratize Market yards.

3.

To Democratize Co-operative Institutions and amend State Co-operative Act.

4.

To hand over Management of Water Users Association to Farmers.

5.

To have farmers representatives on the Management of Electricity Boards.

F. ISSUES TO BE PURSUED WITH PRIVATE SECTOR

1.

Encourage contract farming.

2.

Private agro processing industries, Sugar factories, Dairy’s to have farmers nominees of the Board of Directors.

3.

Agro process industries to allot shares to its farmers.

4.

Industries to take up agriculture development as social responsibility.