State Govt seeks ATIF assistance for e-mandi

BHUBANESWAR: The State Government has sought financial assistance from Centre for development of infrastructure in agriculture markets. After bringing 10 mandis (market yards) into e-marketing platform, the State Government has requested the Ministry of Agriculture and Cooperation to provide `75 lakh for each mandi from Agri-Tech Infrastructure Fund (ATIF).

Cooperation Minister SN Patro made this request to Union Agriculture and Farmers’ Welfare Minister Radha Mohan Singh during his recent visit to New Delhi.Patro said, Odisha Government has made necessary amendment in the the Odisha Agricultural Produce Markets Act, 1956 in the monsoon session of the Assembly for integration of the State mandis with national e-market.

Changes in the Act are necessary as the existing regulatory framework does not support free flow of agricultural produce and direct interface of farmers with other stakeholders like processors, exporters, bulk buyers and end users, he said.The Centre meets expenses on software and its customisation for the State mandis and provides grant as one time fixed cost subject to the ceiling of `30 lakh per mandi for related equipment and infrastructure development to bring them to e-market platform.

There are 428 market yards under 65 regulated market committees (RMCs) in the State. Most of these market yards are used for paddy procurement.Patro said, Kandhamal turmeric is now sold through e-NAM (national agriclture market) while steps have been taken to sell coconuts from Sakhigopal, chillies from Kuchinda, cotton from Rayagada and Gajapati, onions from Kantabanji in Balangir district, ginger from Koraput and maize from Nabarangpur.