The Tamil Nadu Assembly Thursday passed a bill that puts in place a policy framework and institutional mechanism on agricultural produce and livestock contract farming, aimed at benefitting marginal farmers.
The Tamil Nadu Agricultural Produce and Livestock Contract Farming and Services (Promotion and Facilitation) Bill, 2019, piloted by Agriculture Minister R Doraikkannu, was passed by a voice vote.
It envisages setting up "TN Contract Farming and Services (Promotion and Facilitation) Authority," which will make contract farming more transparent, easier and successful and shall have the powers of a civil court in specified areas.
The objective of adopting the bill, drafted on the lines of a model legislation suggested by the Central government, includes addressing the issue of fragmentation of arable land.
The small size of farms has thrown in challegnes of farm viability, particularly in case of marginal parcels, the objects for the bill said.
"When small parcels of ...
