Page 629 - ES 2020-21_Volume-1-2 [28-01-21]

256 Economic Survey 2020-21 Volume 2

that allow markets to be setup at the initiative of State Governments alone. Consequently, in
a market area, more than one market could be established by private persons, farmers and
consumers. There was to be no compulsion on the growers to sell their produce through existing
markets administered by the APMC.
5. Serving Farmers and Saving Farming - First Report – National Commission on Farmers -
Chairman: Dr M.S. Swaminathan (2004)

The report stressed the need for focus on post-harvest management. The report mentions that
planning for infrastructure for post-harvest management should be done for each production
zone adopting the well-known concept of “Packing House” successfully adopted by the Grape
Growers’ Association, NDDB, etc. The report went on to say that this would need an immediate
amendment to the APMC Act by each State to decentralise the system and permit marketing
by other players for achieving the ultimate goal of ensuring better returns to the growers and
reasonably good quality products to the consumers.
6. Serving Farmers and Saving Farming – From Crisis to Confidence - Second Report – National
Commission on Farmers - Chairman: Dr M.S. Swaminathan (2005)
The report states that the role of the APMCs and the state agricultural boards needs to change from
regulation to development and promotion of markets for the local products and better marketing
practices.

7. Serving Farmers and Saving Farming 2006: Year of Agricultural Renewal - Third Report -
National Commission on Farmers - Chairman: Dr M.S. Swaminathan (2005)

The Government needs to abolish market fee on primary agricultural commodities altogether
and charges for various services like loading, unloading, weighing in the APMC yard and levy
one consolidated service charge for use of market infrastructures. It went on to say that allowing
private players including cooperatives to establish private mandis will be a major step in providing
an alternative to the farmers and lead to higher returns. The Essential Commodities Act may be
put under suspended animation and revived by Government notification only when an emergency
situation develops. The report also suggests that the Essential Commodities Act may be scrapped
after observing the impact of placing the legislation under suspended animation for a few years.
8. Serving Farmers and Saving Farming Jai Kisan: A Draft National Policy For Farmers - Fourth
Report - National Commission On Farmers - Chairman: Dr M.S. Swaminathan (2006)
The State APMC Acts need to be amended to allow the private sector or cooperatives to establish
markets, develop marketing infrastructure and support services, collect charges, allow marketing
without the necessity of going through APMC/ licensed traders etc. Further the report underlines
the need for review of the Essential Commodities Act.
9. Serving Farmers and Saving Farming – The Fifth Report Volume I and II - National Commission
on Farmers - Chairman: Dr M.S. Swaminathan (2006)

This report like the ones preceding it, underscores the need for reforms in the agricultural sector
especially in the context of APMCs and Essential Commodities Act.

10. Draft State Agricultural Marketing (Development and Regulations) Rules, 2007
The Draft Model APMC Rules, 2007 provide details on, inter-alia, how the market committees
would function.