AP Economy Bits: AP-Socio Economic Survey 2011-12 : Agricultural Marketing

In Andhra Pradesh, comprehensive market legislation came into force in 1966 covering the entire state called the Andhra Pradesh (Agricultural Produce and Livestock) Markets Act 1966, after integration of the Hyderabad Agricultural Produce and Livestock Markets Act, 1930 and the Madras Commercial Crops Act, 1933.

There are 330 Agricultural Market Committees in the State under which 906 market yards are notified in the State.

Each Market Committee consists of 18 members viz., 11 members from growers, 3 from traders and the other four from the representatives of local bodies and Government Departments.

Every Market Committee has a Secretary who is the executive authority of the Market Committee.

All staff of the Market Committee are appointed by the Market Committee / Director of Marketing /Government as per AP (AP & LS) Markets Rules, 1969.

The Commissioner& Director of Agricultural Marketing is the authority at State level to supervise and control all the Market Committees for effective implementation of the Act, Rules and the Bye-laws and report to the Government about the working of the Market Committees.

The Market Committees levy and collect market fee at the rate of 1% advolerum on the sale and purchase of notified agricultural produce payable by the purchasers of the produce.

The market fee is the only source of income for the Market Committee, which is self generating and is called Market Committee Fund deposited in a scheduled bank operated through treasury.

The market fee is utilized mainly for the development of markets and creation of facilities to the users of the markets i.e., growers and traders and other functionaries and for other allied purposes specified by Government from time to time.

The Market Committees shall remit 10% of the annual income to a separate fund called Central Market Fund (CMF).

There is a network of 106 Rythu Bazars in the State.

Mobile Rythu Bazars are operating in Hyderabad and Vijayawada cities for selling graded vegetables.

A separate website has been created exclusively for Rythu Bazars for Arrivals and Prices information. (www.rythubazars.com)