New Delhi: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Monday set up a high-powered committee of chief ministers for ‘Transformation of Indian Agriculture.
The panel would discuss measures for transformation of agriculture and raising farmers’ income and suggest modalities for adoption and time bound implementation of following reforms by states or union territories.

It would also examine various provisions of Essential Commodity Act (ECA), 1955 and situations that require ECA. To suggest changes in the ECA to attract private investments in agricultural marketing and infrastructure, a statement said here.

The panel would suggest mechanism for linking of market reforms with e-NAM, GRAM and other relevant Centrally Sponsored Schemes and measures to upgrade agri-technology to global standards and improve access of farmers to quality seed, plant propagation material and farm machinery in agriculturally advance countries.

According to the statement, the Committee would propose any other relevant reforms for transformation of agriculture sector and raising farmers’ income.
The panel will submit its report within two months of the date of notification of the Committee.

The panel was constituted in keeping with Mr Modi’s promises and subsequent to the deliberations of Governing Council meeting of NITI Aayog.

Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis would be the convenor of the panel while Chief Ministers of Karnataka, Haryana, Arunachal Pradesh, Gujarat, Uttar Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh H D Kumaraswamy, Manohar Lal Khattar, Pema Khandu, Vijay Rupani, Yogi Adityanath and Kamal Nath respectively would be members of the panel.
Besides, Union Minister of Agriculture Narendra Singh Tomar would also be part of the panel. Niti Aayog member Ramesh Chand would be Member Secretary.