Bhubaneswar, Feb 27: State government has signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with National Institute of Agricultural Marketing (NIAM) for boosting marketing of agricultural produce in the in the State.
The MoU was signed by NIAM Director General (DG) Irina Garg and Odisha Agricultural Marketing Board Director Premanand Khuntia at state secretariat here today in the presence of Cooperation and Excise Minister Dr. Damodar Rout and officials of Chaudhury Charan Singh National Institute of Agricultural Marketing (NIAM), Jaipur.
Speaking on the occasion, Dr Rout said that agreement with NIAM will create a new chapter in agricultural products marketing sector in the State and help the small and marginal farmers get appropriate price of their products.
He said, the step was aimed at getting advice on farmers’ financial development and other aspects.
The agreement will be in force for three years and is likely to effect a visible change in agriculture sector, he said.
As per the MoU, State’s leading markets will be connected with National Agriculture Market (NAM).
It envisages a special scheme for sale of prime crops produced in the State and programmes organised to develop skill of the employees working in agriculture and agricultural marketing sectors.
Besides, a system will be developed by determining standard of the agricultural products so that the farmers will get appropriate price of their products, officials said.
The State government will take initiatives for development of Human Resources in Directorate of Agricultural Marketing and Agricultural Marketing Board along with providing training to the godown employees for proper storage of agriculture produce, said Agriculture and Cooperation Principal Secretary Manoj Ahuja.
