Image Source: IANS
Bengaluru: Karnataka is amending the law to enable its farmers sell their crop for the best price even outside the APMCs, said state Chief Minister B.S. Yediyurappa on Friday.
“The Karnataka Agricultural Produce Marketing Committees (APMCs) Act is being amended to empower millions of our farmers to sell their produce for the best price in the APMC yard or outside it,” Yediyurappa told reporters here.
The state cabinet on Thursday decided to amend the APMC Act through an ordinance to lift restriction on sale of farm produce and allow farmers to sell their crop in APMC yard or in private markets where they get the best price.
“The purpose of amending the law is to double the farmers’ income as envisaged by Prime Minister Narendra Modi. The new law will enable our farmers to sell their produce to whoever gives him the best price at the APMC yard or outside it in a free market,” asserted Yediyurappa.
Lakhs of farmers and growers of foodgrains, vegetables, fruits and flowers across the southern state suffered huge losses over the last 50 days, as they could not harvest or sell their produce due to the lockdown enforced suddenly on March 25 and extended twice till May 17 to contain the spread of coronavirus spread and suspension of public transport service.
Earlier on Friday, the CM announced a package of Rs 500 cr for farmers affected by the COVID-19 crisis and under this about 10 lakh farmers wll be provided Rs 5000 each.
The state government had earlier this month announced a compensation package for farmers, labourers, cab drivers and others amounting to Rs 1610 crore.
