Govt is keen on reforming markets: Radha Mohan Singh

Agriculture Minister Radha Mohan Singh on Friday said farmers were not getting right price in view of bumper crop, while the government was making speedy efforts to reform agri-markets and ensure better realisation for growers.

Since agriculture is a state subject, a three-year roadmap to double farmers income by 2022 has been prepared and sent to state governments for implementation, he said.

"It is true that foodgrain production touched record in 2016-17 crop year. It is true that farmers are not getting right price for their produce," Singh said at a FICCI event on smart agri-marketing. Some government schemes are being implemented to support farmers when prices fall, but the solution lies in a strong and efficient agri-marketing system, he said.

Stating that farmers should have various marketing platforms to sell their produce, Singh said that the government therefore launched electronic platform (eNAM) under which 455 mandis in 13 states are connected so far. The target is to connect 585 mandis by March 2018.

Singh said, "Even 585 mandis are less for 12 crore farmers. So, we have come out with a model law on agricultural marketing. We are making speedy efforts." The draft law, which proposes to overhaul existing laws, aims to encourage setting up of single market within a state, private wholesale markets, direct sale by farmers to bulk buyers, and promotion of electronic trading.