BANGALORE: The Agricultural Produce Marketing Committee (APMC) yards in the state will soon have a rating based on the infrastructure available in various agricultural markets, considering their working efficiency and availability of services.
The state government gave a green signal for the project in the current budget. The project will be handed over to a private independent institution for assessing the market and fix a rate.
“This rating system will help in identifying efficient markets at the national level and also facilitate in initiating reforms for good marking practices. Currently we have called for expression of interest (tenders). We expect the institution to rate on different yardsticks based on the infrastructure facilities, electronic management system, manpower and other parameters,” said Director Agricultural Marketing & MD of Karnataka State Agricultural Marketing Board Dr C Somashekar.
At present, there are primary 153 APMC yards and 350 sub-markets across the state. KSAMB is targeting the primary markets first and then plans to extend the service to sub-markets.
“It will have a global level rating and bring in best practices. We would approach banks for assistance and improve the service to bring in more reforms,” he added. According to agriculture experts, this initiative will improve the condition of farmers, who are not getting remunerative prices for their product.
“There is lack of transparency in the marketing system and direct linkages between the producers and consumers. It will help in formulating action plans and rejuvenate the marketing system in the state,” said former chairman of Agricultural Scientists Recruitment Board M Mahadevappa.
It is a matter of pride these initiatives made in our state are first of its kind in the country, Mahadevappa added.