How Can Maharashtra Protect Farmers’ Interests and Empower State-Level Market Committees?

Mumbai, May 15 (NationPress) Maharashtra's Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar emphasized on Thursday the imperative of safeguarding farmers' interests and members’ rights while progressing with the development of state-level markets to align with nationally recognized markets.

“It’s crucial to protect the rights of market committee members, who are elected representatives of the public and advocate for farmers and diverse societal segments. Ensuring their rights is beneficial for both the farming community and society at large, paving the way for more effective and resilient market committees. The welfare of farmers should always be the primary focus when making decisions regarding market committees,” he stated during a meeting at Mantralaya concerning matters related to Agricultural Produce Market Committees (APMC).

The meeting, led by Pawar, aimed to discuss the enhancement of state-level markets in accordance with national standards, tax reforms affecting APMCs, upkeep and renovation of these markets, challenges concerning Goods and Services Tax (GST), and the issues faced by small industries and traders regarding business taxation, along with the allocation of land for a steel market at Kalamboli through CIDCO.

“Market committees play a pivotal role in ensuring a secure market for farmers’ produce and aiding their economic development. The protection of farmers’ interests remains a top priority for the state. Following the provisions set by the Central Government’s Agriculture and Farmers Welfare Department’s 2017 legislation, the state is set to amend the Maharashtra Agricultural Produce Marketing (Development and Regulation) Act, 1963, to form nationally recognized market committees and transition existing ones into such entities. After the establishment of these national market committees, the government will appoint nominated members. The meeting also focused on developing state-level markets to mirror the national model. Pawar instructed that decisions should only be made after consulting with farmer representatives,” an official release from Pawar’s office stated.

In the meantime, Social Justice Minister Sanjay Shirsat indicated that the Sant Rohidas Leather Industries and Leather Workers Development Corporation and the Mahatma Phule Backward Classes Development Corporation associated with the department should assess outdated schemes from recent years and formulate new ones, as young entrepreneurs require modern tools, digital skills, and an effective marketing system for their businesses.

He further noted that these corporations should implement entrepreneurship development programs to generate employment and self-employment opportunities.

Minister Shirsat mentioned that the Sant Rohidas Leather Industries and Leather Workers Development Corporation should establish a program aimed at modernizing the leather industry, enhancing technology, creating markets, and providing skill development and business training for scheduled caste leather artisans.

He added that the corporation should foster a startup culture and conduct skill development training.

“When designing new schemes, various aspects such as technical training for businesses, market connections, branding, and support for digital platforms should be incorporated. Given the widespread use of WhatsApp, the benefits of vital departmental services will soon be accessible directly through this platform,” the minister stated.

He reviewed the current status of the grant schemes, seed capital schemes, direct loan schemes, and training programs executed by the corporations.