Face2News/Chandigarh

S. Harchand Singh Barsat has been appointed as the Chairman of the National Council of State Agricultural Marketing Board (COSAMB), New Delhi. This announcement was made today by COSAMB's Managing Director Dr. J.S. Yadav during an event organized at Kisan Bhawan.

  Harchand Singh Barsat has become the 21st Chairman of COSAMB. During this event, Shri Aditya Devilal Chautala, MLA Dabwali, Haryana, and former Chairman of COSAMB formally handed over the reins of COSAMB to S. Harchand Singh Barsat. On this occasion, S. Barsat thanked Dr. J.S. Yadav and all the officials of COSAMB and assured that he will fulfill the responsibility entrusted to him with full dedication.

S. Barsat said that farmers feed everyone by producing different types of crops, hence they are called annadata. Farmers produce various kinds of vegetables, fruits, and grains. It is very important that the work of getting the farmer's produce from the field to the mandi and then to the consumer's home is done properly. Today, everyone's eating habits are changing, and therefore, modernization is highly necessary.

He said that today it is necessary to weave the market system of all India into one garland and we will upgrade the market system in India and run it in a good way, so that all sections including farmers, arhtiyas, laborers, traders can get its benefits. He said that new initiatives will be taken to improve the mandi system across India through modern techniques, and we will work together to ensure that every class benefits from this. He said that in today's time, better coordination between states is necessary for the better marketing of agricultural products.

Many agricultural products are produced in large quantities in one state but are scarcely produce in others. For example, Punjab's kinnow, potato, peas, etc., are sent to various states in the country. Therefore, these products can fetch higher prices in other states. COSAMB will take steps to develop such a system in various states so that Punjab's farmers can sell their crops directly in other states. Special attention will also be given to the marketing of organic products.

He further said that the decreasing agricultural land and falling water level are matters of concern. Efforts will be made in collaboration with COSAMB to make barren land cultivable and to maintain the water level. He said that consideration is being given to formulating a national-level agricultural marketing policy.

In addition, a committee will be formed, which will include various prominent individuals related to agricultural marketing. He said that the Punjab Mandi Board regulates the purchase/sale of agricultural products within the state and has prepared a modern mandi system, with about 1,900 permanent mandis under 156 market committees, and approximately 2,000 temporary purchase centers are also opened during the season to facilitate farmers so that they do not have to travel far to sell their produce.

Many agricultural products are produced in large quantities in one state but are scarcely produce in others. For example, Punjab's kinnow, potato, peas, etc., are sent to various states in the country. Therefore, these products can fetch higher prices in other states. COSAMB will take steps to develop such a system in various states so that Punjab's farmers can sell their crops directly in other states. Special attention will also be given to the marketing of organic products.

He said that special efforts are being made by the Punjab Mandi Board for the development of Mandis and the welfare of farmers. Start of installation of solar systems on the market committees, field offices and covered sheds of Mandis in Punjab, installation of ATMs in Mandis, making the covered sheds of Mandis available at very low rates for marriages and other activities in the off-season, making the covered sheds of Mandis available for indoor games during the off-season for the development of children, income of about Rs 4 crore 13 lakh in the last one year through Kisan Bhawan and starting of a fish market in Patiala.

Shri Aditya Devilal Chautala congratulated S. Harchand Singh Barsat on becoming the Chairman of COSAMB and said that the efforts made by S. Barsat during his tenure to improve the mandi system in Punjab are commendable. Dr. J.S. Yadav provided detailed information about COSAMB and the efforts being made for the proper marketing of agricultural products. He said that Punjab's mandi system is very good in India, and under the leadership of S. Barsat, changes will be brought into the mandi system across India to make agriculture a profitable business.dharam