Page 79 - Putting Farmers First

AMENDMENT OF ECA HELPS FARMERS

“When there was a severe shortage of food grains in
the country, we had enacted Essential Commodities
Act. But the same law was still in force even at a
time we became the second largest food producer
in the world!
This law was the major reason why good warehouses
could not be built in the villages and agro-based
industries were not getting encouragement. This
law was being frequently misused. It was used
more to intimidate traders and investors. Now, the
agriculture sector has also been freed from this fear.
Now, the traders and businesses can come forward
to build storages in the villages.
Farmers will benefit because they will not be
compelled to sell their crop in local mandis or
markets at low prices. Storage facilities will free the
farmers from the problem of wastage they faced
while transporting the produce. The transportation
cost will be several times lesser.”

PM Modi at the launch of Financing Facility under
Agriculture Infrastructure Fund, 09 August, 2020