Mumbai: The union cabinet will soon start deliberations on the recommendations of the National Commission on Farmers, which has favoured government procurement of foodgrains at market rates rather than at minimum support prices.

The commission, headed by eminent agriculture scientist M S Swaminathan, in its final report had suggested a national policy on farmers instead of an agriculture policy. It also favoured procuring food grains from farmers at market rates rather than at support prices.

The cabinet will also take up key proposals such as central assistance to states, food security and the setting up of a national commission on farmers.

The planning commission and the agriculture ministry are in the process of finalising a detailed programme envisaging central assistance of Rs25,000 crore to states for farm-based support schemes over the next four years.

Prime minister Manmohan Singh had announced plans to fornulate a Rs25,000 crore plan to rejuvenate the farm sector at the National Development Council meeting in May this year.

Reports quoting agriculture ministry sources said that the cabinet is likely to take up central assistance to states first.

The food security mission, expected to be launched in the next few months, aims at arresting the stagnation in the production of wheat, rice and pulses.

The planned spending of Rs25,000 crore in next four years by the central government would also ensure a rise in public investment in the agriculture sector, both from states and the centre, sources said.