The Confederation of Indian Industry (CII) has recommended the government to encourage participation of private companies for procurement of coarse grains in states where public-sector companies are lagging. However, the government has been intermittently allowing private sector companies to procure food grains on behalf of public-sector companies, but not on regular basis.
To take the Indian agriculture to the next level of growth and development, the CII is working on key policy issues relevant to the entire value chain (from farm to market) through a multi-stakeholder approach. CII has also urged the government to de-list fruits and vegetables from Agricultural Produce Market Committee (APMC) and rationalize taxes and other levies for cost-effective movement of agri produce from farms to consumers.
All these will help to improve the participation of private players in agri marketing, which will in turn benefit buyers and sellers. This measure may simplify the procedures and reduction in the number of licenses required for movement of grain across states and along with the use of technology will facilitate better food grain management.