Kishan Commission constituted

Patna, Jul 30 (UNI) The Bihar government has constituted a 'Kishan Commission' to look into the problems of the farming community in the state and recommended corrective measures to the existing system.

A government release here said that Ramadhar, an IAS officer of Bihar cadre and former director with the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) of the United Nations took over as chairman of the Commission on July 28 last, 2006. Other members of the Commission would be appointed soon, the release added.

The Commission would examine the entire gamut of problem relating to farmers in an integrated and comprehensive manner and recommend measures to enhance the income of the farmers through easy accessibility to improved technology, credit and other production inputs.

Risk coverage, improved marketing, hassle-free regulatory and fiscal regime, value addition and agro-processing are some of the issues which the Commission would focus on.

The Commission with inter alia, recommend measures for stepping up investments in agriculture and related activities, besides promoting public private partnership in agricultural enterprises.

Examination of current cropping patterns and farming systems and recommending a rational land use policy including programmes for marginal lands, wastelands as well as for flood affected, drought- prone and water logged areas are among other tasks assigned to the Commission.

Farmers' organizations, NGOs, industry, central and state agricultural research and development organisations and institutions would provide inputs for preparing the report.

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