Single window system in agriculture proposed by the Centre

New Delhi: In tune with the Goods and Services tax or GST, the central government proposes to gradual move towards a single licence and one-point market fee.

It has already prepared a model act in this regard which has been discussed with the states recently. Agriculture is a state subject, therefore, it has to pass or amend its act based on this model act.

Named Agricultural Produce Market Committee Act or APMC, is aimed at helping farmers getting better prices for their produces and increasing annual income. The Modi government has set 2022 as the target for doubling the income of farmers which may be achieved through this move.

New purchase centres are proposed to be opened under the act where farmers can sell their produces. These centres will offer better prices to them which will enhance their income and help meet the national target.

This will eliminate the middle men who operate between the traders and farmers and buys their produces at discount. It is one of the reasons for poor return to the farmers for the money invested in agriculture.

The Centre has already asked the states to annually revise the minimum support prices for commodities keeping in mind the rise in input costs.

The states have been also asked to create an on-line platform and integrate it with e-National Agriculture Market or e-NAM.

As many as 417 agriculture markets have been connected so far to e-NAM and produces worth Rs₹15,000 crore have been purchased.

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