Minister for Marketing M Mukesh Goud on Saturday said that the state government has already made a provision for contract farming in the state.
In his reply to a question raised by TDP MLA Thummala Nageshwar Rao and others during Question Hour in the State Legislative Assembly, the minister said that an amendment has been carried out to Andhra Pradesh (Agricultural Produce and Live Stock) Market Rules, 1969 making a provision for contract farming under Section 11-A of Act and relevant Market Rules were also amended incorporating Rule -73 A of Andhra Pradesh (AP and LS) Market Rules 1969, in consonance with Model Act communicated by the Government of India.
On whether the government assessed the implications of contract farming, Mukesh Goud said that in view of the changed scenario in the trading of Agricultural commodities and with the advent of World Trade Organisatino, the Centre has piloted the Model Markets Act providing with various options. Hence, a provision for contract farming was made under the Section 11-A of Act with relevant rules also incorporated, he said.
The minister said that the government would provide institutional support to contract farming through registration of sponsoring company with Market Committee, recording of contract farming agreement, time-bound dispute resolution and indemnity to farmers. He said that all necessary steps were being taken to protect the interest of the farmers in the Act itself. (INN)