Gujarat to replicate Punjab's Apani Mandi model

Taking a leaf out of successful implementation of 'Apani Mandi' in Punjab and 'Rythu Bazaar' in Andhra Pradesh, Gujarat government has set the stage for replicating the same model in Gujarat.

The state has come out with a new scheme in 2008-09 to promote setting up of Khedut-Grahak Bazaar (farmer-consumer markets) in urban areas in Gujarat.

As part of the scheme, financial assistance of a maximum of Rs. 1 crore or 90 per cent of the total project cost will be given to agriculture produce marketing committees (APMCs) for floating such markets.

The Khedut-Grahak Bazaar will offer farmers a platform to sell their produce directly to consumers. The aim of setting up of such farmer-consumer markets is to arrest exploitation of farmers and consumers by general commission agents or wholesale dealers or agents.

In the wake of poor bargaining power of farmers and consumers, commission agents and wholesale dealers take undue advantage to inflate the prices. The market middlemen charge around 15 to 20 per cent in the form of commission or levy.

"Considering the frequent complaints of exploitation by market middlemen, the state government had decided to set up a basic infrastructure, where farmers can directly sell their produces to buyers,' said government sources.

Agriculture and co-operation department of Gujarat through its recent notification has announced a new scheme for establishment of farmers-consumers markets in Gujarat.

The state government would provide financial assistance 90 per cent of the total project cost to APMCs for setting up Khedut-Grahak markets, while 10 per cent cost will have to be borne by the respective APMCs.

Such market for direct sale and purchase by farmers and consumers will be set up in urban areas and the markets will have infrastructure facilities such as stalls for sale of agri produces, office building, roads, parking shed, power supply, weighing machine and storage facilities.

Also, APMCs can set up stalls for sale of seeds and other things related to agriculture.

In the larger interests of farmers, Punjab and Andhra Pradesh governments have set up 'Apani Mandi' and 'Rythu Bazaar' respectively, where farmers directly sale agriculture produces to consumers. The 'Khedut-Grahak Bazaar' in Gujarat will be based on those models, government sources added.