Farmers interests to be protected in contract farming

Chandigarh, Sep 10 (UNI) Haryana government has implemented the contract farming system in the state for the benefit of the farmers to secure marketing of their produce on agreed and remunerative rates.

While stating this here today, Haryana State Agricultural Marketing Board (HSAMB) Chairman Shadi Lal Batra said Haryana was among few states which have put the rules of contract farming in place. The amendment in the Punjab Agricultural Produce Markets Act 1961 and framing of rules there-under 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.

Mr Batra 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, thus helping the companies and firms to procure contracted agricultural produce directly at their premises instead of purchasing it through market.

The Chairman 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. He said the companies and firms wanting to enter into the contract farming business would have to apply to HSAMB for registration.

The facilitation of the agreement would be done by HSAMB, he added.

He said the amendment in the rules also provides mechanism of monitoring the agreement and disputes resolution.

The Zonal Administrator would resolve the disputes within thirty days and the Chief Administrator of the Board would be the appellate authority, he added.

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

UNI