What does the draft APMC Act define as a single unified market area?

Key Points

• The draft APMC Act defines each state and union territory (UT) as a single unified market area.
• This unified market area facilitates the seamless trade of agricultural produce within the state and UT, without any barriers.
• The aim is to promote better price realization for farmers by providing them with a larger market base.
• It also helps in reducing the role of intermediaries, thereby increasing the earnings of farmers.
• The unified market concept aims to create a more competitive and transparent marketplace for agricultural commodities.

Additional Information

• APMC (Agricultural Produce Market Committee) Acts are enacted by state governments to regulate the marketing of agricultural and horticultural produce.
• The objective of the APMC Act is to ensure fair prices to farmers and to protect them from exploitation by intermediaries.
• Under the APMC framework, markets (mandis) are established where farmers can sell their produce.
• However, the traditional APMC system has faced criticism for inefficiencies and lack of transparency, prompting reforms like the draft APMC Act.
• The draft APMC Act is part of broader agricultural reforms aimed at liberalizing the agricultural market and providing farmers with more options to sell their produce.