Bengaluru: Karnataka’s version of the Unified Market Platform (UMP), an online trading mechanism introduced in 157 Agriculture Produce Market Committees (APMCs), has given farmers a big boost in income with the elimination of the middlemen, who pocketed some of it in the past.
With the Rashtriya e-Market Service (ReMS) providing a platform to both farmers and buyers to do online trading without interference of middlemen in the APMCs, both are now reaping the benefits, according to Managing Director and CEO of ReMS, R. Manoj.
Speaking to DC, he said the price of tur dal had risen by 70 to 80 per cent in Kalaburagi, Bidar, Raichuru and Yadgir markets and the Bengal gram price by 40 to 50 per cent since online trading was introduced in the state. “The price of black gram has risen by 40 to 72 per cent in the major markets of Bidar, Mysuru, Bhalki, Koppal and Dharwad and the price of groundnut too has gone up by 35 to 47 per cent following UMP,” he revealed.
Noting that UMP provided a wide reach and allowed participation of buyers from across the country , he said this had led to price quotes based on demand and supply. “It also helps farmers get real time information, enabling them to decide whether to sell their produce or not and at what price,” he explained, adding that online payment had been made to farmers as an experiment in Tiptur, Hubballi and Gadag APMCs.
“As many as 439 farmers have received sale proceeds of Rs 2.72 crore in their bank accounts. Following the state-wide registration drive, we now have 42 lakh farmers registered for the UMP,” Mr. Manoj said. Revealing that automated cleaning and grading machinery would be installed in APMCs, he said the farmers’ produce would in future be machine cleaned and packed before sale.
