Dump APMCs, bring pvt players: Pawar

Union Agriculture Minister Sharad Pawar has proposed to remove the monopoly of the Agriculture Produce Market Committee (APMC) so that the farmer gets his due in the private sector. Formation of agri-marketing terminals is also on the cards in 2006, Pawar said on Monday, while hinting at major policy changes to boost agriculture.

Pawar was speaking at a special plenary session of the conference on ‘Empowering Youth through entrepreneurship’ as part of the World Micro-Credit year celebrations organised by the Bharatiya Yuva Shakti Trust and Pune Municipal Corporation (PMC) at the Ganesh Kala Krida Manch. The minister said eight states have already amended the law which negates the monopoly of the APMCs. Sixteen more states are planning to do the same in 2006 and these policy changes will allow the farmer to sell his produce at a place where he gets proper treatment. This will allow private sector to set up markets.

The post-harvesting losses amount to Rs 55,000 crore every year. Due to lack of marketing, transport and packaging facilities, the produce is often destroyed before it reaches the market. ‘‘We need to address the issue of agro-processing and in this regard, agri-marketing terminals will be set up near Nashik, Mumbai, Nagpur, Patna and Chennai,’’ said Pawar.

Despite progress in other sectors, 70 per cent of India’s population depends on agriculture. How can we end the scenario of farmers committing suicides in such a situation, Pawar said, adding that emphasis has to be laid on more investment in the agri-sector. He urged industrialists like Rahul Bajaj and other to support investment in agriculture.