Country should have common market policy

BANGALORE: M Veerappa Moily, Union Minister of Corporate Affairs, stressed the need  to bring about a uniform Agriculture Produce Marketing Committee in the  country. Speaking at the Rashtriya Krishimela 2011 at the University of  Agricultural Sciences (UAS), Gandhi Krishi Vigyan Kendra (GKVK), on Friday, he said, “Instead of each state having its own market policy, it is suggestible to have a common market policy for the entire nation, as it would be helpful whenever there is loss due to crash in price of crops.”He also related the importance of e-thinking and the need to bridge the gap between farmers and the corporates.As their Corporate Social Responsibility, corporates should help the farmers in providing them remunerative prices and marketing the produce. “There are about 300 backward districts in the country. The government has already released a sum of Rs 17 crore for the development of these districts” he said.Three progressive farmers from Shimoga, Bangalore North and Doddaballapur  and three agricultural officers were awarded with Dwarakinath lifetime  achievement awards. Besides, best farmers and women farmers from 17 taluks  of Mysore, Chamrajnagar and Chitradurga districts were also awarded.Meanwhile, about 2.5 lakh people, which included farmers, students and general public visited the mela.