APMCs closed over open agriculture policy

Most Agriculture Produce Market Committees (APMCs) in Maharashtra closed indefinitely from Saturday as traders boycotted purchases due to the open agriculture marketing policy of the state government.

Under the new regulations, it is traders instead of farmers that will have to pay the commission to the commission agent. For consumers, the closure of APMCs means shortage of vegetables and other products throughout the state till the issue is resolved.

APMC office-bearers termed the policy a ploy by the BJP-led regime to “finish off the boards” that are ruled by Congress and NCP leaders. However, government sources termed the policy “revolutionary.”

“The government opened up the market without considering the views of all concerned and without considering the implications,” said Diliprao Mohite-Patil, chairman, Maharashtra State Market Committees’ Cooperative Federation Ltd, and member, Maharashtra State Agriculture Marketing Board (MSAMB).

“Who will guarantee payments to the farmers after their produce is sold ” Mr Mohite-Patil asked. “Earlier, the APMCs were the guarantors. We have several cases of farmers selling their produce directly to traders, who have vanished, leaving the farmer bankrupt,” he argued.

However, MSAMB general manager Milind Akre said that the new policy would “revolutionise” agriculture marketing. “There will be less wastage of perishable products and speedy delivery,” he said.

Mr Akre added there are transition problems, which could last for a few days as the policy takes effect. “Our infrastructure is working in the background to implement the open market. After about four months see how the farmers and consumers benefit significantly,” he said.

The state government last month opened up the sale of agriculture produce by farmers without closing down APMCs. Sources said that earlier, farmers were compelled to sell in the local APMC. Nearly every tehsil in Maharashtra has an APMC.

However, Lasalgaon APMC chairman Jaydatt Holkar said farmers were never pressurised to sell only through APMCs. “Many farmers continue to sell in the open market or directly to traders or consumers. However, we have several cases on record of farmers being duped by spurious traders,” he said.