Agriculture produce markets: PAMRA paves way to increase competition: Silwat

Special Secretary Agriculture Marketing Silwat Saeed said here on Saturday that Punjab Agriculture Markets Regulatory Authority (PAMRA) is indeed, a milestone reform, which has paved way to increase the competition in Agriculture produce markets of Punjab. This act will provide new horizons for farming community. Old act was sharply in favour of middle-man/commission agent and farmers were being exploited. Through PAMRA act, the new whole-sellers, agents and distributors can enter into the market with ease. This will also include the corporate sector and multinational companies as well.
Special Secretary Agriculture Marketing Punjab in a statement disclosed that the emerging competitive marketplace will improve the bargaining power for farmers and retailers/ consumers. Resultantly, farmers will earn more for his produce and consumer will pay less for their food. Silwat disclosed that under PAMRA Act, liberalizes produce market law will encourage private investment in the sector and eliminate role of Government in administration of produce markets. Government role will be redefined as regulator to introduce good agriculture practices (GAP) and grading standards.
Difficult licensing requirement will be replaced with easy registration process for new entrants. This Act will enable private sector to establish new markets anywhere in province, instead of only in 'notified area' as in old law. Under this Act, private collection centers will be established to procure agriculture produce. This means that the processing sector can buy directly from farmers with ease through the collection centers.