Harchand Singh Barsat appointed as Chairman of Kausamb

Mahesh Dhoundiyal - Delhi

- Managing Director of National Council of State Agricultural Marketing Board (Kausamb) Dr. J.S. Yadav announced

- Will work for the benefit of every section by upgrading the Mandi system across India – Barsat

Punjab Mandi Board Chairman S. Harchand Singh Barsat has been appointed as the Chairman of National Council of State Agricultural Marketing Board (Kausamb), New Delhi due to the exemplary work being done by him for the Mandi system of Punjab. This was announced today by Kausamb Managing Director Dr. J.S. Yadav during a function organized at Kisan Bhawan. S. Harchand Singh Barsat has become the 21st Chairman of Kausamb. During this, the reins of Kausamb were formally handed over to S. Harchand Singh Barsat by Shri Aditya Devi Lal Chautala, MLA Dabwali, Haryana and former Chairman Kausamb. On this occasion, S. Barsat thanked all the officials of Kausamb including Dr. J.S. Yadav and assured that they will fulfill the responsibility assigned to them with full dedication.

S. Barsat said that farmers feed everyone by producing different types of crops, so they are called Annadaata. Different types of vegetables, fruits and grains are produced by farmers. It is very important to do the work of the farmer's produce to the arrival of the crop in the market and its delivery to the consumer's home in a clean manner. Today everyone's eating habits are changing, so there is a great need for modernization. He said that today it is necessary to string the Mandi system of the whole of India into a garland and we will upgrade the Mandi system in India and run it in a good manner, so that all sections including farmers, commission agents, laborers, traders can get its benefits. He said that new efforts will be made to work for the welfare of the people by improving the Mandi system through modern techniques across India, for this we all will work together so that every section can benefit from it.

He said that in today's time, mutual coordination between the states is necessary for better marketing of agricultural products. Because there are many agricultural products which are produced in large quantities in one state, while they are negligible in other states. For example, Punjab's Kinnow, Potato, Peas etc. go to different states of the country. Therefore, these products can get higher prices in other states. Such measures will be taken by Kausamb to develop such a system in different states, so that the farmers of Punjab can directly sell their crops in other states. Along with this, special attention will also be given to the marketing of organic products. He further said that the decreasing land for farming and falling water level is a matter of concern. In collaboration with Kausamb, work will be done to make barren land fertile and maintain the water level. He said that a national level Agricultural Marketing Policy is being considered. Apart from this, a committee will be formed which will include various eminent personalities associated with agricultural marketing.

He said that the Punjab Mandi Board regulates the purchase/sale of agricultural products in the state and a modern marketing system for agriculture has been prepared, in which there are about 1900 permanent Mandis under 156 market committees and about 2000 temporary purchase centers are also opened during the season keeping in mind the convenience of the farmers, so that the farmers do not have to go far to sell their produce. To ensure that the farmers' produce reaches the Mandis in the right manner, the Mandi Board has established about 64000 km long roads in the state. He said that open bidding is done in the Mandis to get the right price for the farmers' produce. The payment of the farmers' crops is also being made directly in their bank accounts. He said that today special efforts are being made by the Punjab Mandi Board for the development of Mandis and the welfare of farmers. Start of installing solar systems on market committees, field offices and covered sheds of Mandis of Punjab, installation of ATMs in Mandis, making Mandi covered sheds available at very low rates for marriages and other activities in off-season, making Mandi covered sheds available for indoor games during 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 fish market in Patiala.

Shri Aditya Devi Lal Chautala congratulated S. Harchand Singh Barsat on becoming the Chairman of Kausamb and said that the work done by S. Barsat during his tenure to improve the Mandi system in Punjab is commendable. Dr. J.S. Yadav gave detailed information about Kausamb and informed about the work being done for proper marketing of agricultural products. He expressed hope that the way Punjab's Mandi system is being upgraded by S. Harchand Singh Barsat and new sources of income have been generated is commendable. He said that Punjab's Mandi system is the best in India and under the leadership of S. Barsat, agriculture will be made a profitable business by bringing changes in the Mandi system of the entire India. Officers of Kausamb and Punjab Mandi Board were also present on this occasion.