Lok Sabha Question No. 439 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2020-09-15
Subject: Increase in Number of Mandis
Ministry: AGRICULTURE AND FARMERS WELFARE
Asked by: Kanimozhi Karunanidhi

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF AGRICULTURE AND FARMERS WELFARE DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE, COOPERATION AND FARMERS WELFARE

## LOK  SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.439

TO BE ANSWERED ON THE  15 TH  SEPTEMBER, 2020

## INCREASE IN NUMBER OF MANDIS

439.   SHRIIMATI KANIMOZHI KARUNANIDHI:

Will the Minister of AGRICULTURE AND FARMERS WELFARE कृ ष एवं कसान कयाण मंी be pleased to state:

- (a) the  steps  taken  by  the  Government  to  increase  the  number  of  mandis  across  the country since it is a fact that average area served by mandis in the country is 434.48 sq km as against the recommendation of one mandi per 80 sq km made by National Commission for Farmers in 2004;
- (b) whether  the  Government  has  taken  any  steps  to  improve  the  availability  of  market places and warehousing facilities through the 'Self Sufficient India' programme and one lakh crore rupees has been announced for this sector; and
- (c) if so, the details thereof?

## ANSWER

MINISTER OF AGRICULTURE AND FARMERS WELFARE

कृ ष एवं कसान कयाण मंी ( SHRI NARENDRA SINGH TOMAR)

- (a) to (c) :   Agricultural marketing is a state subject and wholesale markets are set up under the  provisions  of  respective  State  Agricultural  Produce  Market  Committee  (APMC)  Act. However, in order to improve  farmers'   accessibility to the markets  as per standard norm prescribed in the Report of National Commission on Farmers (2006), Government has taken several  steps    like    promoting  development  of  private  mandis,  direct  marketing,  declaring warehouses/ silos/ cold storages as deemed markets and also developing Village Haats into Gramin Agricultural Markets (GrAMs).

Further,  the  Government  is  supporting  the  development  of  infrastructure  for  market development  and  warehousuing  facilities  through  schemes  like  Rashtriya  Krishi  Vikas Yojana-Remunerative  Approaches  for  Agriculture  and  Allied  Sector  Rejuvenation  (RKVYRAFTAAR)  Scheme and Agricultural Marketing Infrastructure (AMI) sub-scheme of Integrated Scheme for Agricultural Marketing (ISAM).

Further,  in  pursuance  to  the  announcement  of  Atmnirbhar  Bharat  Abhiyan  Package, the  Government  has  approved  a  new  central  sector  scheme  for  Financial  Facility  under Agriculture  Infrastructure  Fund  of  Rs.  1,00,000  Crore  to  provide  a  medium-long  term  debt financing  facility  for  investment  in  viable  projects  for  post-harvest  market  infrastructure including warehousing facility and community farming assets through incentives and financial support.

In  addition  to  the  above,  in  order  to  provide  additional  channels  to  farmers  for marketing  of  their  produce  and  promote  barrier-free  inter-state  and  intra-state  trade  and commerce,  the  Government  has  notified  'The  Farmers'  Produce  Trade  and  Commerce (Promotion and Facilitation) Ordinance, 2020' on 5 th June, 2020. The Ordinance is intended to make better farmer- market linkages.

Further,  The  Government  has promulgated 'The  Farmers  (Empowerment  and Protection) Agreement on Price Assurance and Farm Services Ordinance, 2020' to protect and empower farmers to engage with agri-business firms, processors, wholesalers, exporters or  big  retailers  for  farm  services  and  sale  of  future  farming  produce  at  a  mutually  agreed remunerative price framework in a fair and transparent manner.