Punjab CM favours PPP mode for setting up agriculture markets

Chandigarh, Nov 20 Punjab Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal today favoured Public-Private Partnership (PP) mode for setting up of agricultural markets. Speaking at the global conference on wholesale markets here, he said this would enhance remunerative income of farmers by improving their marketing network. "..the government of India has proposed a draft legislation which provides for establishment of private wholesale market network. "We also need to promote public private partnership in agriculture markets. Accordingly, the Punjab government (has proposal) to amend existing legislations (APMC Act)," he said. Meanwhile, a proposal to allow private companies to set up market yards in Punjab which will provide alternate marketing channel to farmers has been sent to the state government by Punjab State Agricultural Marketing Board (PSAMB). Besides, the board that controls marketing network of agricultural produce in the state has proposed direct purchase of farm produce. It has also mooted a law for contract farming in the state. This would entail carrying out amendments in the Punjab Agricultural Produce Markets (APMC) Act 1961. "We have submitted a proposal to the Punjab government to allow private companies to set up market yards in the state along with the direct purchase of farm produce and law for contract farming," PSAMB General Manager S S Randhawa told PTI. "Necessary amendments will be required to be carried out in APMC Act by framing rules and laws before allowing setting up of private market yards, direct purchase and law for contract farming," he added. The amendments in the APMC Act has been hanging fire for the last several years as SAD-BJP-led Punjab government could not carry them out allegedly due to pressure of commission agents. The direct purchase of crops from farmers will allow them to fetch better returns for their produce. The Haryana government had already allowed direct purchase of horticulture produce from farmers. The framing of law for contract farming is aimed at reducing disputes among farmers and corporates on agreements signed between them, sources said. Proposing more reforms in agricultural produce marketing sector, PSAMB has also suggested for setting up of special markets for particular commodities and single license for all the market committees. (PTI)