UP mandis record increased arrival of agri produce

The arrival of agricultural produce in agricultural marketing committees of Uttar Pradesh has registered increase during the current agricultural marketing year (July-June 2010-11).

The primary arrival of agricultural produce in all the state mandis so far has increased by over 7 per cent to 31.63 million tonnes (MT) compared to corresponding period last year. Besides, the total arrival in all mandis has increased by 8 per cent at 40.59 MT. Agra, Jhansi and Aligarh divisions have posted maximum primary arrival of agricultural produce compared to last year.

Primary arrival refers to the first arrival in any mandi (agri produce market), while total arrival also includes transportation of produce between two mandis.

“The increased arrival in mandis is the result of better planning by Mandi Parishad (Board) and the narrowing of gap between the rates being offered in open market and the mandis,” a Mandi Parishad official told Business Standard.

Farmers prefer to come to mandi only if they get matching rates there compared to the one prevailing in the market.

Besides, Mandi Parishad has adopted new technology for disseminating mandi rates of various agricultural produce to farmers over mobile phones by tying up with public sector Bharat Sanchar Nigam Limited (BSNL), he added.

Meanwhile, Social, Child Development and Nutrition and Agro Marketing Minister Inderjeet Saroj has directed officials to allot vacant shops in mandi committees by the June-end and recoup pending mandi fee. There are 256 notified mandis in Uttar Pradesh for about 110 agricultural produce, including food grain, fruits, vegetables, spices and pulses. Agra, Moradabad, Jhansi, Meerut and Lucknow divisions have large concentration of mandis.

According to Mandi Parishad director Rajesh Kumar Singh all the mandis had so far collected over Rs 530 crore in mandi fee compared to Rs 505 crore, which represented over 25 per cent increase.