Center to form committee to reduce price gap between farmers and consumers

New Delhi: Union Agriculture Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan clarified that a committee is likely to be formed soon to find ways to cut the price gap between what farmers earn and what consumers pay for horticulture products. Chouhan said that currently, there’s a big gap between the price farmers get for their produce and what consumers pay in the market. “This committee will study how we can reduce this gap so that both farmers and consumers are satisfied,” Chouhan explained.

He also suggested that the committee might explore options for the government to help with the transportation costs of perishable goods like fruits and vegetables. Besides this, he invited state agriculture ministers and officials to share any ideas they might have.

According to a recent study by the Reserve Bank of India, farmers receive about 33.5% of what consumers pay for tomatoes, 36% for onions, and 37% for potatoes. Chouhan stressed that any useful suggestions shared by the states would be taken seriously and acted upon. He added that this conference wasn’t just a yearly event where people speak and then forget about it.

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Chouhan also highlighted the importance of Krishi Vigyan Kendras (KVKs) and asked the head of the Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR), Himanshu Pathak, to ensure that KVKs send monthly reports to the central and state governments about their activities. He expects KVKs to report on any problems farmers face, whether caused by the climate or other issues.

Agriculture Secretary Devesh Chaturvedi asked states to work out an innovative plan for seed development as it takes at least three years for a new seed technology to be widely used by farmers.