Encourage private companies in foodgrain procurement: CII

Has also urged the government to delist fruits and vegetables from APMC

The Confederation of Indian Industry (CII) has urged the government to encourage participation of private companies for procurement of coarse grains in states where public-sector companies are lagging.

While the government has been intermittently allowing private sector companies to procure food grains on behalf of public-sector companies, it has not been regular, said Gokul Patnaik, co-chairman of CII Agro Tech 2014 Conference, which is slated to be held in Chandigarh from November 22 to 25.

“To take the Indian agriculture to the next level of growth and development, the CII is working on key policy issues relevant to the entire value chain (from farm to market) through a multi-stakeholder approach,” Patnaik added.

CII has also urged the government to de-list fruits and vegetables from Agricultural Produce Market Committee (APMC) and rationalise taxes and other levies for cost-effective movement of agri produce from farms to consumers.

These steps will help improve the participation of private players in agri marketing, which will in turn benefit buyers and sellers, the industry body noted.

It also called for simplification of procedures and reduction in the number of licences required for movement of grain across states. According to CII, these measures along with the use of technology will facilitate better food grain management.