In a bid to reform the agriculture sector by providing farmers post-harvest marketing infrastructure, the Centre has circulated a model Bill which has so far been adopted by 16 States, the Lok Sabha was informed today.

Agriculture marketing is a state subject and most of the States have their own Agriculture Procedure Marketing Committee (APMC) Act to regulate agriculture marketing.

But in an effort to reform the sector by providing farmers with an improved infrastructure and “alternative” marketing channels, the Agriculture Ministry has prepared a model APMC Act and circulated to various States and Union Territories in 2003 for implementation.

Sixteen States have so far amended their Acts based on the model provided by the Centre. “We are following it up with other States,” the Agriculture Minister, Mr Sharad Pawar, told the lower house.

He said the model Bill includes provisions for direct marketing and purchase of agriculture produce from farmers, contract farming and setting up of markets in private and cooperative sectors among other things.

Mr K.S. Rao (Cong) lamented that farmers were not getting remunerative prices and said while subsidy is provided in PDS on oil, farmers were being denied any such facility in production of oil seeds.

On his supplementary on export of agriculture produce, Mr Pawar said it was on his and other members’ request, the Government has allowed export of 20 lakh tonne of rice and wheat.

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