Farmers Agreement on Price Assurance and Farm Services Act Upsc
The Indian government recently passed the Farmers’ Produce Trade and Commerce (Promotion and Facilitation) Act, 2020, the Farmers (Empowerment and Protection) Agreement on Price Assurance and Farm Services Act, 2020, and the Essential Commodities (Amendment) Act, 2020. These Acts aim to reform the agricultural sector and provide farmers with greater control over their crops and prices.
One of the key aspects of these Acts is the Farmers (Empowerment and Protection) Agreement on Price Assurance and Farm Services Act, 2020. This Act allows farmers to enter into agreements with buyers, processors, wholesalers, exporters, or large retailers for sale and purchase of farm produce. The agreement must be in writing and include details such as crop quality, grade, standards, price, and delivery date.
This Act provides farmers with the option of entering into a contract farming agreement, where they can enter into an agreement with a buyer before sowing the crop, ensuring a guaranteed price for their produce. This agreement also provides farmers with access to modern technology, high-quality seeds, and other inputs, which can increase their yield and profitability.
The Farmers’ Produce Trade and Commerce (Promotion and Facilitation) Act, 2020 also provides farmers with the option of selling their produce outside the regulated Agricultural Produce Market Committee (APMC) mandis, allowing them to sell their produce to buyers of their choice, anywhere in the country. This Act also removes the barriers imposed by state APMCs, which require farmers to sell their produce only in the designated APMC mandis.
The Essential Commodities (Amendment) Act, 2020, removes cereals, pulses, oilseeds, edible oils, onion, and potatoes from the list of essential commodities, allowing for a free market. This will attract investment in the agriculture sector and improve the supply chain, leading to better prices for farmers.
Overall, the Farm Acts aim to provide farmers with greater choice and autonomy, and provide a much-needed boost to the agriculture sector. While there have been protests against these Acts, mainly from farmers in Punjab and Haryana, the government has assured that these Acts are in the best interest of farmers and will lead to greater prosperity in the agriculture sector.
In conclusion, the Farmers’ Produce Trade and Commerce (Promotion and Facilitation) Act, 2020, the Farmers (Empowerment and Protection) Agreement on Price Assurance and Farm Services Act, 2020, and the Essential Commodities (Amendment) Act, 2020, are aimed at providing farmers with greater control over their crops and prices. These Acts provide farmers with the option of entering into an agreement with buyers for the sale and purchase of farm produce, allowing them to sell their produce anywhere in the country and attract investment in the agriculture sector. While there have been protests against these Acts, the government has assured that they are in the best interest of farmers and will lead to greater prosperity in the agriculture sector.