APMC, Agriculture - GS questions based on daily current affairs

1)   Which of the following are reasons to deregulate marketing of fruits and vegetables outside the APMC yards?

1) To give higher price to farmers
2) Reduce prices for consumers
3) Reduce middlemen


a. 1, 2
b. 2, 3
c. 1, 3
d. All of the above
Answer  Explanation 

ANSWER: All of the above

Explanation:
In order to reduce the price gap between producers and consumers through reduction in intermediation of supply chain, create alternative marketing channels and promote investment on development of marketing infrastructure with private sector participation, States have been asked to deregulate marketing of fruits and vegetables outside the Agricultural Produce Market Committee (APMC) yards.

So far, 14 States have deregulated fruits and vegetables from APMC Acts, though in different models.

Since, the measure is intended to reduce supply chain and create competition in marketing of fruits and vegetables, therefore, it has inherent potential to make available these food items to consumers’ at reasonable prices along with to enhance farmers’ profit with their open choice of selling to anybody , anywhere, wherever get the better prices.


2)   Which of the following statement / s is / are not correct?

1) Mechanization in agriculture is hindered by highly diverse agriculture with different soil and climatic zones.

2) A dedicated Sub-Mission on Agricultural Mechanization has been initiated in the Twelfth Plan, with focus on spreading farm mechanization to small and marginal farmers and regions that have low farm power availability.


a. Only 1
b. Only 2
c. Both 1 and 2
d. None of the above
Answer  Explanation 

ANSWER: None of the above

Explanation:
The main challenges to farm mechanization are, first, a highly diverse agriculture with different soil and climatic zones, requiring customized farm machinery and equipment and, second, largely small landholdings with limited resources.


3)   Which of the following statement / s is / are correct?

1. As per the Model APMC Act, the buyer doesn’t have to pay APMC charges if the produce is sold directly outside the APMC area and if no facility provided by the APMC is used.

2. Due to the freedom given to the buyer and the seller, there is resistance seen towards reforming APMCs on lines of the Model APMC Act among the states.


a. Only 1
b. Only 2
c. Both 1 and 2
d. None of the above
Answer  Explanation 

ANSWER: Only 2

Explanation:
The model APMC Act retains the mandatory requirement of the buyers having to pay APMC charges even when the produce is sold directly outside the APMC area, say, to the contract sponsors or in a market set up by private individuals even though no facility provided by the APMC is used.