Haryana govt notifies rules of contract farming

Chandigarh, Sep 22 (UNI) The Haryana government has notified the rules of contract farming in the state.

Stating this here today, an official spokesman said the amendment in the Punjab Agricultural Produce Markets Act 1961 and framing of rules thereby had paved the way for the farmers and companies to venture into contract farming in the state.

The newly introduced contract farming system would benefit both the farmers and the bulk buyers as the farmers would get assured marketing on the agreed rates and the buyers would get consistent supply of quality products, he added.

He said the special feature of the contract farming system introduced in the state was that the premises of the companies and firms entering into contract farming would deemed to be a declared sub-yard.

This would help the companies and firms to procure contracted agricultural produce directly at their premises instead of purchasing it through market.

He said the interests of the farmers and the companies would be protected through the formal agreement which would be registered with the District Marketing Enforcement Officer. The companies and firms wanting to enter into the contract farming would have to apply to HSAMB for registration. The facilitation of the agreement would be done by HSAMB, he added.

The amendment in the rules, he said, also provided mechanism of monitoring the agreement and disputes resolution. The Zonal Administrator would resolve the disputes within 30 days and the Chief Administrator of the Board would be the appellate authority, he added.

He said the amendment ensured that the land of the contract farmers would not be transferred or alienated. He urged the companies and firms and the farmers to take full advantage of the new scheme.

UNI