Daijiworld Media Network – Mangalore (KD)

Mangalore, Aug 24: The Model APMC Act would improve the lifestyle of farmers said Karnataka State Agriculture Marketing Board (KSAMB) member and APMC president, K Krishnaraj Hegde here, recently.

He was speaking at the inaugural of district level workshop on the Model Act for presidents, vice presidents and secretaries held at the APMC Yard. He said that the APMC Act was introduced in the background of globalization and in also to make the APMC system competitive. Moreover, due to the opposition, the act was amended to make the Model Act farmer-friendly. Besides, the state government had to comply with the union’s directives on implementing the Model Act, as non-compliance would result in forfeiture of Rs 2,000 worth schemes for farmers in the state, he said.

At the backdrop of globalization, the Act would protect the interests of small and medium scale farmers and the direct marketing system free from exploitation and freedom to determine the prices. Moreover it would create opportunities for farmers to compete at the international-level. The act would also replace old practices with a scientific approach to deliver quality products to the doorstep of consumers.

C Puttamadaiah from KSAMB Mysore division said that under the guidelines, a MNC or private entities would have to be set up in order to work closer to the existing APMC.

APMC president, K S Sankappa Gowda of Bantwal, APMC president N Sreenivas, V Kini Beltangady, APMC vice-president Seetharam Gowda Puttur and others were present on the occasion.