Removal of Mandi restrictions to benefit farmers, they can sell anything they grow to anyone, anywhere: PM Modi

Farmers, farm sector, villages are the foundation of Atmanirbhar Bharat and if they are strong, the foundation of 'Atmanirbhar Bharat' will be strong, said PM Narendra Modi while speaking at the 69th edition of the 'Mann Ki Baat' programme on September 27, 2020.

PM Modi elaborated on this by saying one who is grounded stays firm even during the biggest storms and during these tough times of corona, our farm sector, our farmers are a living example of this. He continued by saying that even during this crisis, our agricultural sector has again shown its prowess.

Freedom from APMC/ Mandi restrictions to benefit farmers

• The Prime Minister further stated that the country's agriculture sector has freed itself from many shackles and attempts were made to bust many myths, while referring to the agriculture reform bills passed by the Parliament.

• PM Modi stated that a large of farmers will stand to benefit from the decision of allowing them to sell their produce outside the Agricultural Produce Marketing Committees (APMC) or mandis.

• The Prime Minister stated that in 2014, fruits and vegetables were excluded from the APMC Act, which had greatly benefited farmers. He said that he has received letters from many farmers and their organisations, which reveal how the changes made in the agriculture sector in recent times has helped them immensely.

• He cited examples of farmers from Haryana, Maharashtra, Tamil Nadu, Gujarat and Uttar Pradesh who narrated how they had benefited and made higher profits by selling their produce directly to the buyers.

• PM Modi stated that the farmers now have the power to sell their fruits or vegetables to anyone and anywhere and it is this power that is the foundation of their growth. He stated that now the same power has been given to farmers across the country. The farmers have got the freedom to sell not only fruits and vegetables but grains, sugarcane, mustard and anything that they grow to anyone and anywhere they like, highlighted PM Modi.

The Prime Minister reiterated that the farm bills will free the farmers from the clutches of the middlemen and enable them to get remunerative prices. PM Modi further praised farmers for strengthening the country's agricultural sector and said that the farm sector played a major role in building a self-reliant India. He further stated that India will become self-reliant only when the farmers and villages are empowered.