First ever Agricultural Marketing & Farm Friendly Reforms Index launched
Q. NITI Aayog on 31st Oct 2016 launched the first agricultural index of its kind. What is it called?- Published on 03 Nov 16a. Agricultural Marketing and Farm Friendly Reforms Index
b. Agricultural Marketing Index
c. Agricultural Farm Friendly Reforms Index
d. None of the above
ANSWER: Agricultural Marketing and Farm Friendly Reforms Index
NITI Aayog on
31st Oct 2016 launched the first ever Agricultural Marketing & Farm Friendly Reforms Index.
- The index was led by Maharashtra.
- Maharashtra has implemented most of the marketing reforms and offers an amazing environment for agribusiness among states and UTs.
- Maharashtra topped the index with a score of 81.7 out of 100.
- Gujarat ranks second with a score of 71.5.
- Rajasthan stood third with a score of 70.0 and MP scored 69.5.
- Almost 75% of the states could not reach the halfway mark of reforms score.
- Major states such as UP, Punjab, WB, Assam, Jharkhand, TN and J&K are in this group.
- Some states and UTs either did not adopt the APMC Act or revoke it– these include Kerala, Bihar, Daman & Diu, Manipur, Dadra and Nagra Haveli and Andaman and Nicobar.
- They were therefore not included in this ranking.
- NITI Aayog launched an index to rank states and UTs based on implementation of seven provisions under the model APMC Act, joining the eNAM initiative, special treatment to fruits and vegetables for marketing and level of tax in mandis.
- The second area of reforms included in the index is relaxation in restrictions related to leasing in and out agricultural land and change in law to recognise tenant and safeguard land owners liberalisation.
- The third area included in the index represents freedom to farmers for felling and transit of trees grown on private land- this indicates an opportunity to diversify farm business.
Indicators represent:- Ease of doing agribusiness as well as opportunities for farmers to benefit from modern trade and commerce and have a wider option for sale of his/her produce.
- Efficiency, competitiveness and transparency in agri markets.
- Index has a score which can have minimum value zero implying no reforms and maximum value 100 implying complete reforms within the selected areas.
- States and the UTs have been ranked in terms of the score of the index.
