Pawar calls for reforms in agriculture marketing

New Delhi, Oct 21(ANI): Union Agriculture and Food Processing Industries Minister Sharad Pawar has called for reforms in agricultural marketing.

Pawar said that the prevailing system which comprises regulated markets set up by the states under APMC Act has become a constraint on farmers' ability to market their produce at the best possible prices.

He was addressing the Parliamentary Consultative Committee attached to his Ministry here today.

Pawar further said that large number of intermediaries and large transaction costs, such as market fee, entry tax make marketing reforms a priority.

"We continue to pursue this with States and have achieved some success. Our model APMC Act of 2003 has been adopted, to varying degrees so far by 17 states and nine states have also framed the rules. There is no APMC Act in Bihar, Kerala, Manipur, Andaman and Nicobar Islands, Dadra, and Nagar Havel, Daman and Diu and Lakshadweep," Pawar said.

"Farmers, specially small and marginal are unable to take advantage of the market system and often have to resort to distress sale. Access to safe and scientific storage facility, coupled with efficient credit is the solution," he added.

The Minister also said that Centre endeavours to provide this through Grameen Bhandarn Yojana. (ANI)