Repeal of Farm Laws by the Prime Minister has cheering from an unexpected corner. APMCs in Gujarat where a stronghold of BJP prevails, are feeling relieved from the burden of supporting what was hurting them.
In the wake of farm laws by the Centre, the BJP ruled state government also had made an amendment in Gujarat Agriculture Produce Market Act, 1963 which had ended monopoly of APMCs over the primary trade and made their jurisdiction confined to their premises.
The new scenario had smaller market yards struggling for survival in the state in the past one year due to dwindling incomes. Around 18 APMCs are already defunct due to decreased activities during last one year.
Not only smaller market yards but larger APMC like Rajkot also have witnessed reduction in annual income upto 10% or more. APMC had a framework which could provide a sense of security and certitude, especially to the small farmers with lesser quantity of agro produce, to find readily available buyers as the auctions were held systematically in the presence of APMC officials and the commission agents. The new laws had robbed them off the same.
In a counter view, some bigger market yards had benefited also. A hub for onions, Mahuva market yard for example, saw a hike in income as farmers from the entire region started selling their produce following the new farm laws.
