High powered commitee for transformation of agriculture should reform restrictive tenancy laws

Transforming agriculture in the medium to long run requires fundamental reforms in land institutions as well. This is what is missing in the new committee’s terms of reference.

Narendra Modi govt on farnmer crisis, agriculture reforms India, protect rights of landowners, land lease to farmers, Indian express — One reason landowners fear leasing out their lands for long is the absence of tamper proof land records with the revenue departments. (Illustration by C R Sasikumar)

Early in its second term, on July 1, the Narendra Modi government constituted a High Powered Committee of Chief Ministers for Transformation of Indian Agriculture. Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis was appointed the committee’s convenor. The Committee is supposed to submit its report within two months. Its terms of reference (ToR) pertain largely to matters related to agri-markets. This includes reforming the Agricultural Produce and Livestock Contract Farming and Services Act of 2018 and the Essential Commodities Act (ECA) as well as suggesting measures to reinvigorate the e-Nam scheme.