UP Mandi Parishad for free access to rates

Farmers, agriculturists and traders in Uttar Pradesh would soon get free access to the commodity rates prevailing in about 300 mandis all over the state.

Uttar Pradesh State Agricultural Products Marketing Board (Mandi Parishad) is actively working on the plan. Although, such services are already available, they are still not free.

The Parishad wants the people to avail the commodity rates service without any charge and it is ready to forego any revenue sharing tie-up with the private partner. “We have held talks with some private telecom companies in this regard and are hopeful for some understanding soon,” Mandi Parishad director Rajesh Singh told Business Standard.

At present, public sector Bharat Sanchar Nigam Limited (BSNL) provides ‘mandi rate on mobile’ service in association with the Mandi Parishad. The service, launched in January 2009 was implemented in all the notified mandis for 108 agricultural products, including food grain, fruits, vegetables, spices, pulses etc.

For a nominal charge, the BSNL subscribers can dial 1255534. It connects to an Interactive Voice Response System for knowing the prevailing rate of any agricultural produce at any of the state mandis.

However, now the Parishad wants to roll out the service for free by tying up with private telecom operators. “There are 300 mandis in Uttar Pradesh and 108 commodities are traded, which comes to over 30,000 different rates per day,” Singh said adding it was a profitable proposition for the private sector telecom companies.

Some telecom companies provide commodity rates services in tie-up with private companies. Nokia launched a suite Nokia Life Tools to provide information related to agriculture. education and entertainment.