Centre should make efforts to end non-tariff barriers for increasing farm exports

The Chief Minister Kamal Nath has urged the Government of India to make special efforts to remove ‘non-tariff barriers’ to facilitate agriculture exports. It will help increase the income of farmers. Nath was participating in the meeting of Chief Ministers’ High Power Committee through video conference today. The Committee has been formed by the NITI Ayog with an objective of improving farm income and bring about agriculture reforms. The Union Minister for Agriculture Narendra Singh Tomar was also present in the meeting.
The Chief Minister Nath said that there is an urgent need to remove the bottlenecks in the export of agricultural products, especially to Europe and America. With this, we can increase the income of farmers. Laying stress on bringing about the structural reforms in the agricultural sector, the Chief Minister said that common standard and certification system should be put in place to make the e-National Agriculture Market friendly to farmers across the country.
The Chief Minister suggested to promote contract farming in the coming years saying that this can cause a new revolution in agriculture sector. He said that in the changed environment, a well-thought out policy should be framed to give contract farming a boost and create enabling atmosphere. He said that the policy will protect the interests of farmers and traders both. Kamal Nath also suggested to repeal the Essential Commodities Act saying that no longer it has remained useful.
The Chief Minister described the food processing sector as an area of immense possibilities. He said that we can increase the income of farmers in a big way. He stressed the need for evolving a region-specific policy. The Chief Minister also suggested focusing more on horticulture and floriculture. He said that this is also an area which can double the income of farmers.
Describing the suggestions of Kamal Nath as valuable, the Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis said that his suggestions will definitely strengthen the agriculture sector and increase the income of the farmers.
In the meeting, Chief Minister of Haryana, Mr. Manohar Lal Khattar, Chief Minister of Gujarat Vijay Rupani and Chief Minister of Arunachal Pradesh Pema Khandu were present.