<h1>15th Finance Commission Conference Highlights: Boosting Agriculture with R&D, ICT, and MSME Integration to Double Farmers' Income.</h1> The 15th Finance Commission held its first conference on agriculture in Chandigarh, focusing on research and development (R&D), the use of information and communication technology (ICT), and integrating the service sector and MSMEs with agriculture to double farmers' income. Experts, including agriculture scientists and economists, emphasized the need for structural reforms, resource evaluation, and climate resilience in agriculture. The acting Chairman, Dr. Ashok Lahiri, noted that while the Commission is not mandated to consider sectoral allotments, understanding agriculture is vital for comprehending the Indian economy. Key discussions included agricultural productivity, crop diversity, and the impact of climate change and market mechanisms.