Maharashtra farmers can soon hope to sell fruits, vegetables directly

Farmers in Maharashtra can now hope to sell their horticulture produce to any person or a company of their choice.

A draft notification issued by the Maharashtra Government gives them relief from mandatorily selling their horticulture produce through Agricultural Produce Marketing Committee (APMC) yards.

This also means companies in agri-business, food processing and organised retail sector are in for a bonanza. The notification, paving the way for free movement of fruits and vegetables within and outside the State, will delist fruits and vegetable from the AMPC Regulation Act.

The Agriculture Produce Market Committee yards are controlled by a committee that is an autonomous body. Price discovery for vegetables and fruits is done by the committee. This, in turn, helps farmers to sell to traders.

Mr Kishore Toshniwal, Managing Director of Maharashtra State Agriculture Marketing Board, told Business Line that once the notification is issued, then farmers will be able to sell their produce without any hindrance. It will also help reduce wastage of agriculture products and help curb inflation, he said.

Companies will also be able source the products at the farm gate itself. They can also set up cold storages, chains and processing plants close to farms, he said.

“The delisting of fruits and vegetables does not mean that committee controlled market yards will cease to function. It will be there for farmers wanting to sell their produce through the prevailing system,” Mr Toshniwal said.

The State Government has invited comments and suggestions on the draft notification. It would be then revised before a final notification is issued, he said.

>rahulw@thehindu.co.in

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