The National Development Council (NDC) in its resolution of May 29, decided that an Additional Assistance Scheme be launched to incentivise states that increase the share of agriculture in their plans. In view of the above, the Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs (CCEA) on Thursday approved a new Additional Central Assistance Scheme for the agriculture sector.

The objectives of the scheme are to enhance public investment in agriculture and allied sectors; to incentivise states to draw up comprehensive state and district agriculture plans and to help states achieve the targeted agricultural growth rates.

The scheme will enable states to draw up plans for their agriculture sector more comprehensively, taking agro climatic conditions, natural resources, and technology into account, and by integrating livestock, poultry and fishery sectors.