Guj mulls new agro business policy

With a view to providing a boost to agriculture sector in the state, Gujarat government is gearing up to come out with a new agro business policy.

The policy is likely to be announced within two months after incorporating suggestions made by various stakeholders of the agriculture and related sectors.

The proposed agro business policy, which covers the entire chain from farm to market, is expected to spell out dozens of incentives for various segments of agriculture sector, including agri companies and mandis as well as farmers.

"The basic objective of the new policy is to give the much-needed thrust to agri and agro business in the state. All the stakeholders have been asked to study the draft policy and give their suggestions to make it all inclusive," said senior government officials.

State-run Gujarat Agro Industries Corporation (GAIC) is working on the policy. The state government has also convened a meeting of all the stakeholders such as companies dealing in agriculture, representatives of agriculture produce marketing committees, co-operative societies and farmers.

"The aim of the meeting is to consult all the players associated with the agriculture and sought their suggestions with regard to new policy," officials added.

The state agriculture department plans to complete the consultation meeting by the end of current month.

"The state government may include some of the recommendations made by the stakeholders. After incorporating the suggestion, the final policy would be announced by the end of next month," government sources said.

After implementing Model Agriculture Act last year, Gujarat government is taking proactive steps to improve agri marketing infrastructure in the state.

Recently, Gujarat government came out with a circular, which provides for financial assistance to various Agriculture Produce Marketing Committees (APMC) for upgradation and modernisation of their infrastructure facilities.

The financial assistance will be given under a new scheme for setting up "Farmers Resource Center". Maximum 0f Rs. 50 lakh of financial assistance will be offered under the scheme.