Do you agree with the fact that bringing of agriculture, rural development and even Panchayati Raj under one blanket ministry has been long overdue in India? Comment.

The government of India has taken a prudent step by combining the Ministries of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare, Rural Development and even the Panchayati Raj under one blanket ministry. This will usher in much needed convergence of food, nutrition and other programmes which will affect the livelihoods of millions and also bring in the desired change in the rural landscape.
There is a huge amount of commonality between the three and the convergence has the potential to turn the MGNREGA from merely a labour-wage-safety-net programme into a potent instrument for rejuvenation of every aspect of rural life.
The convergence had begun 2008 and over the years many links have been generated with Central schemes on food security, horticulture, agro-forestry, animal husbandry, fisheries, etc. The farmer income will also be enhanced by putting agriculture as a multi-dimensional enterprise. This will enable agriculture to completely embrace the activities after production and develop into a holistic agri-food system