Corporate farming policy soon

State agriculture minister Bhupendrasinh Chudasma said the state government would introduce a policy on corporate farming soon.

Chudasma, who was in Surat on Friday to review the preparations for the month-long Krishi Mahotsava to be held from May 11 to June 11, told Business Standard, "The issue of corporate farming was under consideration since long. The final draft of the policy was prepared recently. We would announce the well-balanced policy, soon."

Though he refused to give any details, Chudasma, however, assured that the policy would protect everyone's interests.

He said, "Under contract farming, any private company or even a bigger farmer can make a contract with one or more farmers. The ownership of the land remains with the original farmer, but the contractor provides the entire farm inputs, including seeds, fertilisers and water. Under the policy, the contractor is bound to purchase the total farm output."

In response to a query, Chudasma said, "The contract farming currently involves a three-party agreement, between the farmer, the contractor and Agricultural Produce Marketing Committee. We are not considering any changes in this structure at present."

Later, addressing a press-meet, Chudasma spoke about the Krishi Mahotsava.

"The main aim of the one month-long event is to financially strengthen the farming community. During the mahotsava, a 'Kisaan Rath' would travel to each of 18,000 villages of the state.