BJP-ruled states figure on top in Niti Ayog’s ranking

In a first of its kind initiative to rank states on the basis of implementing farmer-friendly reforms, Niti Ayog has ranked BJP-ruled Maharashtra, Gujarat and Rajasthan in the top three, while West Bengal, UP, Tamil Nadu, Jharkhand have been adjudged as worst performers. The ranking is important as it would be used as benchmark for allocating different Central funds to states for successful implementation of farmer-centric polices. 

The Niti Aayog has prepared ‘Agriculture Marketing and Farmer Friendly Reforms Index’ based on initiatives taken by the states in implementing farm sector reforms. “The state of Maharashtra achieves first rank in implementation of various reforms. The state has implemented most of the marketing reforms and it offers best environment for doing agribusiness among all the states and UTs,” an official statement said on Monday. It further stated that almost 20 out of 29 states, including West Bengal, Uttar Pradesh, Punjab, Assam, Jharkhand, Tamil Nadu and J&K, have done poorly with regard to agri-sector reforms.

As per the states’ score in the Index, Madhya Pradesh ranked fourth, followed by Haryana, Himachal Pradesh, Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka, Telangana, Goa and Chattisgarh.

The Index is aimed at helping the states to identify and address problems in the farm sector, which suffer from low growth, low farm income and agrarian distress. The areas identified for action by Niti Aayog with a view to double farm income include agriculture market reforms, land lease reform, and reforms related to forestry on private land. “Detailed study of the reforms in various states and UTs show that reforms have remained patchy, partial, sporadic and implemented in very diluted form,” the statement added.