Surat farmers welcome agri reforms

Oct 08, 2020

Surat (Gujarat), Oct 08 (ANI): Several farmers of Surat district in Gujarat welcomed agricultural reforms. “The farmer can sell their produce directly to any buyer, may it be a Multi- National Corporation (MNC) or someone else. Previously the farmer could sell their produce only at the Agricultural Produce Market Committee (APMC) on which they were charged 2.5 % commission, the middle man will be removed after the implementation of the acts,” said Ketan Patel, the Chairman of Chalthan Sugar factory. “In Gujarat, this system is indirectly implemented and it has proved beneficial for the farmers, as the buyer pre-decides the rate even before the sowing season and hence the farmers are sure of their income,” Ketan Patel added. The parliament has passed the Farmers' Produce Trade and Commerce (Promotion and Facilitation) Bill, 2020, Farmers (Empowerment and Protection) Agreement of Price Assurance and Farm Services Bill, 2020 and the Essential Commodities (Amendment) Bill last month. The Bills were approved by the President on September 27.