Frame perishable commodities
The Union food processing minister Subodh Kant Sahay is advocating the formulation of perishable commodities policy in Jharkhand.
By Runa Rajeev Kumar, TNN |
JAMSHEDPUR : The Union food processing minister Subodh Kant Sahay is advocating the formulation of perishable commodities policy in Jharkhand.
Jharkhand produces a good number of tomatoes and tomatoes produced in the state are often damaged due to the absence of adequate cold storage facilities. Well-defined guidelines are needed for assisting Jharkhand farmers with assured and remunerative marketing opportunities, particularly in the case of perishable commodities, felt the minister.
Mr Sahay said: “The state government should encourage setting up of food processing industries in the state by providing special incentives and basic infrastructure to these industries and should formulate a perishable commodities policy for the same.”
Mr Sahay added: “Food processing units are not encouraged in the state. The amendments to the Agricultural Produce Marketing Committee (APMC) Act on the lines of the model bill suggested by the Centre are under consideration in Jharkhand. Almost 18 states have already done the amendments. The amendments to the APMC Act would encourage contract farming in the state and this would be helpful to small producers in getting good quality input, a fair price, as well as prompt payment for their produce.”
Nalin Soren, agriculture minister of Jharkhand, told ET that agricultural markets are established and regulated under the state APMC Acts.
“The state of Jharkhand has initiated administrative action for reforms in its APMC Act as suggested in the model Act circulated by the department of agriculture. We are in the process of finalising the provisions of the APMC Act which will be tabled in the state cabinet very soon,” said Mr Soren.
Jharkhand registered a higher per hectare production rate in the yield of cauliflower, lady’s finger and onion than the national average for the year 2006-07 despite poor irrigation facilities and inadequate infrastructure.
Jharkhand produces a good number of tomatoes and tomatoes produced in the state are often damaged due to the absence of adequate cold storage facilities. Well-defined guidelines are needed for assisting Jharkhand farmers with assured and remunerative marketing opportunities, particularly in the case of perishable commodities, felt the minister.
Mr Sahay said: “The state government should encourage setting up of food processing industries in the state by providing special incentives and basic infrastructure to these industries and should formulate a perishable commodities policy for the same.”
Mr Sahay added: “Food processing units are not encouraged in the state. The amendments to the Agricultural Produce Marketing Committee (APMC) Act on the lines of the model bill suggested by the Centre are under consideration in Jharkhand. Almost 18 states have already done the amendments. The amendments to the APMC Act would encourage contract farming in the state and this would be helpful to small producers in getting good quality input, a fair price, as well as prompt payment for their produce.”
Nalin Soren, agriculture minister of Jharkhand, told ET that agricultural markets are established and regulated under the state APMC Acts.
“The state of Jharkhand has initiated administrative action for reforms in its APMC Act as suggested in the model Act circulated by the department of agriculture. We are in the process of finalising the provisions of the APMC Act which will be tabled in the state cabinet very soon,” said Mr Soren.
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Jharkhand registered a higher per hectare production rate in the yield of cauliflower, lady’s finger and onion than the national average for the year 2006-07 despite poor irrigation facilities and inadequate infrastructure.
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