Ensure transparency in agro-produce trade: CM

Chhattisgarh Chief Minister Bhupesh Baghel on Tuesday asked agriculture produce markets (Krishi Mandi) to make transparent arrangements while buying and selling farm produce so that farmers get the right price.

The Mandis should keep the needs and problems of the farmers in mind, he said.

Baghel was virtually addressing the function of taking charge of Ashwani Sahu, the new Chairman of the Agriculture Produce Market Committee, Durg.

The farmers are apprehensive about their future after the introduction of new laws by the central government on agriculture, the Chief Minister said.

The state government, to protect the interest of farmers, amended the Mandi Act. The 80 percent of farmers in the state are small and marginal farmers and their rights need to be protected, he said.

Using modern modes of communication, agricultural price fluctuations should be told to farmers. It is a good sign that farmers of the state, apart from traditional paddy crops, are moving towards other crops. They should be guided, he said.Agriculture Minister Ravindra Choubey said the work to establish C-Mart will soon begin in Durg.