(The Gist of PIB) Three bills aimed at transformation of agriculture and raising farmers

(THE GIST OF PIB) Three bills aimed at transformation of agriculture and raising farmers

These bills seek to replace the ordinances promulgated in June 2020 under Atmanirbhar Bharat Abhiyaan to provide a boost to those engaged in agriculture and allied activities.

The Farmers' Produce Trade and Commerce (Promotion and Facilitation) Bill, 2020:

It aims to open up agricultural marketing outside APMC market yards for farmers, and also remove barriers to inter-State trade.
It proposes an electronic trading in transaction platform.

It aims at facilitating contract farming, where a private buyer contracts to purchase a crop at a certain price at the beginning of a season, transferring the risk of market unpredictability from the farmer to the corporate sponsor.
It will empower farmers for engaging with processors, aggregators, wholesalers, large retailers and exporters on a level playing field without any fear of exploitation.
It will reduce cost of marketing and improve income of farmers.

It aims to deregulate agricultural commodities like cereals, pulses, oilseeds, onions and potatoes.
It will help harnessing of economies of scale and attract private sector/foreign direct investment into agriculture sector helping modernization of food supply chain.
It will help both farmers and consumers while bringing in price stability.