Question : Farmers Produce Trade and Commerce (Promotion and Facilitation) Ordinance, 2020

(a) whether the Government has implemented the Farmers‘ Produce Trade and Commerce (Promotion and Facilitation) Ordinance, 2020;

(b) if so, the details thereof;

(c) whether this ordinance seeks to provide for barrier-free trade of farmers‘ produce outside the markets notified under the various State agricultural produce market laws (State APMC Acts) and if so, the details thereof;

(d) whether this Ordinance will prevail over the State APMC Acts;

(e) whether the State Governments were consulted before passing this Ordinance; and

(f) if so, the details thereof?

MINISTER OF AGRICULTURE AND FARMERS WELFARE

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(a) to (c): Yes Sir. In order to create an ecosystem where the farmers and traders will have freedom of choice of sale and purchase of agri-produce, the Government has notified “The Farmers’ Produce Trade and Commerce (Promotion and Facilitation) Ordinance, 2020” on 5th June, 2020. The objective of the Ordinance is to provide for the creation of an ecosystem where the farmers and traders enjoy the freedom of choice relating to sale and purchase of farmers’ produce which facilitates remunerative prices through competitive alternative trading channels to promote efficient transparent and barrier-free inter-state and intra-state trade and commerce of farmers’ produce outside the physical premises of markets or deemed markets notified under various State Agricultural Produce Market legislations; to provide a facilitative framework for electronic trading and for matters connected therewith or incidental thereto.

(d): The Ordinance will not replace the State APMC Acts. APMC markets will continue to function.

(e) & (f): Yes Sir. While formulating the Ordinance, State Governments were consulted through Video Conferencing (VC) on 21st May, 2020.

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