Plan to check distress sale of crops in works: Centre

Union Agriculture Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan on Saturday said the government was working on a scheme to prevent distress sale of farm produce.

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The minister mentioned the sale of fruits and vegetables at throwaway prices. “Jahan bhi takleefein dekh rahe hain, hum yojana bana rahe hain (we are framing schemes wherever we are witnessing irritants),” he said. He was speaking after inaugurating the Pusa Krishi Vigyan Mela. The fair that opened today will continue till February 24.

The minister said new seed varieties and farm technologies would be taken to farmers to boost their income. Flagging a series of meetings he has had with farmers directly and through organisations, Chouhan said the ministry was trying to understand the problems of the sector and would accordingly frame schemes.

He said some issues were under the Centre’s consideration. “Prices are low at the farm gate level but consumers are paying higher rates. Farmers are getting paid less for the produce and consumers are shelling out more. Who is taking the profit in the middle? These profit margins need to be reduced,” he said.