GOVERNMENT OF INDIA

MINISTRY OF AGRICULTURE

LOK SABHA

UNSTARRED QUESTION NO: 3157

ANSWERED ON:15.03.2011

MARKET FOR AGRICULTURAL PRODUCE

DINESH CHANDRA YADAV

(a) whether the Government is considering a proposal for setting up new markets to enable the agricultural producers of the country to sell their produce directly to the consumers;

(b) if so, the details in this regard;

(c) whether this scheme is proposed to be implemented in phases; and

(d) if so, the details alongwith the details of markets likely to be set up in each phase?

Will the Minister of AGRICULTUREbe pleased to state:-

ANSWER

MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF AGRICULTURE AND MINISTER OF

STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF FOOD PROCESSING INDUSTRIES

(SHRI ARUN YADAV)

 (a) to (d): In order to facilitate the agricultural producers with the choice of alternative marketing channels including the facility to sell their produce directly to the consumers, the Ministry of Agriculture has circulated Model Agricultural Produce Marketing (Development and Regulation) Act (APMC Act), 2003 to all the States/Union Territories for their adoption. The Model Act inter-alia provides for setting up of consumers/farmers markets, where the agricultural producers can sell their produce directly to the consumers. There are 21,221 numbers of Rural Primary Markets in the country as on 31st March 2010, to facilitate the agricultural producers in selling their produce directly to the buyers including the consumers. Apart from this, some of the States are facilitating setting up innovative farmers/consumers markets. The Government facilitates creation of marketing infrastructure under various schemes such as National Horticulture Mission, Horticulture Mission for North East and Himalayan States, Development/ Strengthening of Agricultural Marketing Infrastructure, Grading and Standardization, Rashtriya Krishi Vikas Yojana etc.