Maharashtra lets farmers bypass APMC

PUNE: Maharashtra farmers can now sell their produce directly to anyone without the interference of APMCs. The state government has issued a notification for moving 30 fruits and vegetables out of APMC regulation. APMCs will not charge any cess on the excluded commodities. Farmers have for long demanded that the state tackle the hassles created by APMCs.

“Direct marketing of these commodities will help reducing the handling of fruits and vegetables. The commodities will remain in good condition ,” said Kishor Toshnival, director (marketing), government of Maharashtra . Though Maharashtra has incorporated some provisions of the Model APMC Act in its state marketing act, organised retail has been facing difficulties in sourcing fruits and vegetables from farmers despite having direct marketing licences.

There were allegations that middlemen were forcing vehicles carrying vegetables to organised retail stores to go via Vashi APMC. The compulsion of selling agriculture commodities at APMCs has been one of the important reasons for the inflation in the prices of perishable commodities.

The average difference in wholesale and retail prices of fruits and vegetables is 40-50 %. The system also causes delays in the supply chain. Vegetable growers are happy about the development. “The removal of the APMC regulation will help farmers to get a better price for their produce while consumers can get their vegetables cheaper and fresher,” said Sriram Gadhve, president, All India Vegetable Growers' Association.