Interim Report of the National Commission on Agriculture on Whole Village Development Programme

Abstract

The Interim Report of the Whole Village Development Programme by the National Commission on Agriculture presents a comprehensive and community-centered framework for rural transformation in India, emphasizing integrated village-level planning rather than fragmented individual interventions. The programme seeks to enhance agricultural productivity, promote social justice, and alleviate rural poverty through coordinated strategies such as land consolidation, irrigation development, scientific crop planning, and equitable redistribution of resources. Recognizing structural barriers including land fragmentation, insecure land tenure, forest land occupation conflicts, and chronic rural indebtedness, the report proposes institutional credit support, debt relief mechanisms, and clear land rights to foster inclusive growth. Pilot projects across selected states—including Bihar, Uttar Pradesh, Tamil Nadu, and Odisha—are designed to test integrated agricultural models featuring bund construction, rainwater harvesting, irrigation expansion, livestock development, rural processing units, and cooperative strengthening. Financial planning allocates resources for phased implementation, administrative support, and infrastructure development, with projected substantial increases in farm incomes and rural employment. The programme also underscores participatory governance through village-level Project Implementation Committees working alongside Gram Sabhas to ensure inclusive representation and accountability. Continuous monitoring, benchmark surveys, and adaptive evaluation mechanisms are recommended to measure impact and refine strategies. Overall, the report envisions the Whole Village Development Programme as a transformative, equity-oriented rural development model capable of generating sustainable agricultural growth, enhancing livelihoods, and improving socio-economic conditions across India’s rural landscape.