Section 8: Functions of Authority.

The Authority shall perform the following functions, namely: (a) suggest measures for fostering the infrastructure for food security; (b) recommend policies for the protection and development of agriculture and its allied activities; (c) recommend schemes for irrigation and flood management in the protected agricultural zone; (d) take necessary steps to increase agricultural production and productivity; (e) facilitate the promotion of agro-based and allied industries in the protected agricultural zone; (f) suggest measures for preserving agricultural lands for farming and allied activities for providing stability to the farming economy; (g) recommend steps for augmenting water resources through efficient rain water harvesting methods, such as creation of adequate water storage structures, creation of farm ponds in private lands and check dams; (h) suggest measures for efficient water use in agriculture including micro irrigation especially in water intensive crops; (i) recommend various measures for improving the soil health, such as adoption of integrated farming system, green manuring, soil test based fertilizer application, alternate cropping, rice fallow pulses and integrated pest management practices; (j) suggest measures for efficient use of solar energy for the purpose of irrigation and value addition; (k) give recommendations on direct marketing of farm products, such as farmers markets and outlets for Farmer Producer Organizations, to increase the farm income; (l) promote activities that supply inputs and process farm produces relating to agriculture and allied sectors; (m) explore various ways to promote the establishment of Food Parks and Agro Processing Clusters which generate additional income to farmers of the protected agricultural zone; (n) promote optimum usage of agricultural machinery in the protected agricultural zone to enhance efficiency of farming operations; (o) initiate various studies, on factors contributing to increase in agricultural production and productivity and on impact of specific measures taken up by the Government in the protected agricultural zone; (p) recommend measures to provide adequate sustainable employment opportunities to agricultural labourers; (q) promote agro forestry and social forestry in the protected agricultural zone; (r) formulate development projects in the above areas and to seek funds for such projects; and (s) perform such other functions, as may be prescribed.