State invites bids for terminal markets
In a bid to provide a better platform for the marketing of perishable agriculture products, the Maharashtra government has invited global tenders for developing terminal markets.
By TNN |
MUMBAI: In a bid to provide a better platform for the marketing of perishable agriculture products, the Maharashtra government on Friday invited global tenders for developing terminal markets in Mumbai, Nashik and Nagpur. The Rs 315-crore project will be developed on built-own-operate basis.
“Terminal markets will basically eliminate traders and middlemen in markets run by the Agricultural Produce Marketing Committee (APMC). This will help both farmers and buyers,” state minister for marketing Harshwardhan Patil said. The state government will provide land and all infrastructural support for the proposed markets.
These markets would be developed at an estimated cost of Rs 315 crore, the Maharashtra State Agriculture Marketing Board (MSAMB) said while inviting bids for the projects. The three projects, to be developed on BOO basis, would be awarded to the successful bidders for 25 years.
The terminal markets would provide services such as electronic auction, cold storage, banking and postal services, MSAMB said. “The idea is to create free-marketing facilities for farmers that will help them earn better price for their produce,” Mr Patil said. In the current system, traders or a cartel of traders virtually control APMC market prices, leaving very little for farmers.
The proposed markets would also offer non-market services such as cash-and-carry stores, hotels and restaurants / food kiosks and shopping complex, it added. The private partner would be allowed to collect user charges from traders for services offered during a period of the agreement.
The interested firms, it said, can submit their bids by March 7 next, to the agriculture board. Although the terminal markets would be meant for perishable products like fruits, vegetables, flowers, meat, poultry, they would also be permitted to trade non-perishable products up to 15% of the total trade.
The Mumbai market, which will handle 3,500 tonne of farm output every day, is expected to cost Rs 200 crore. The project cost for Nashik market has been estimated at Rs 60 crore while for Nagpur market it will be Rs 55 crore.
“Terminal markets will basically eliminate traders and middlemen in markets run by the Agricultural Produce Marketing Committee (APMC). This will help both farmers and buyers,” state minister for marketing Harshwardhan Patil said. The state government will provide land and all infrastructural support for the proposed markets.
These markets would be developed at an estimated cost of Rs 315 crore, the Maharashtra State Agriculture Marketing Board (MSAMB) said while inviting bids for the projects. The three projects, to be developed on BOO basis, would be awarded to the successful bidders for 25 years.
The terminal markets would provide services such as electronic auction, cold storage, banking and postal services, MSAMB said. “The idea is to create free-marketing facilities for farmers that will help them earn better price for their produce,” Mr Patil said. In the current system, traders or a cartel of traders virtually control APMC market prices, leaving very little for farmers.
The proposed markets would also offer non-market services such as cash-and-carry stores, hotels and restaurants / food kiosks and shopping complex, it added. The private partner would be allowed to collect user charges from traders for services offered during a period of the agreement.
The interested firms, it said, can submit their bids by March 7 next, to the agriculture board. Although the terminal markets would be meant for perishable products like fruits, vegetables, flowers, meat, poultry, they would also be permitted to trade non-perishable products up to 15% of the total trade.
ADVERTISEMENT
The Mumbai market, which will handle 3,500 tonne of farm output every day, is expected to cost Rs 200 crore. The project cost for Nashik market has been estimated at Rs 60 crore while for Nagpur market it will be Rs 55 crore.
Download
The Economic Times Business News App for the Latest News in Business, Sensex, Stock Market Updates & More.
The Economic Times Business News App for the Latest News in Business, Sensex, Stock Market Updates & More.
Download
The Economic Times News App for Quarterly Results, Latest News in ITR, Business, Share Market, Live Sensex News & More.
The Economic Times News App for Quarterly Results, Latest News in ITR, Business, Share Market, Live Sensex News & More.
ADVERTISEMENT
