Chandigarh

Haryana Chief Minister Nayab Singh Saini on Monday proposed a series of initiatives to transform the state’s mandis into a modern, transparent and farmer-friendly market system.

Addressing a meeting of the Haryana State Agricultural Marketing Board, Saini proposed the launch of ‘Harit Mandi, Khushaal Farmer’, under which farmer assistance centres will be set up in every mandi to register and promptly resolve grievances, sparing farmers repeated visits to government offices.

The chief minister said farmers practising natural farming should be given priority and dedicated space in mandis to sell their produce, describing natural farming as the future of agriculture that must be actively encouraged.

He also stressed the need to create safe and dedicated spaces for women farmers and women traders, and to promote their greater participation in agricultural markets, according to an official statement.

Calling for greater transparency in market fee collection, Saini said the foundation of the Marketing Board lies in ensuring farmers’ prosperity and strengthening the state’s economy. He noted that market committees are not merely government offices but key power centres of the rural economy, whose efficient functioning is essential to building trust between farmers and traders.

Highlighting reforms, the chief minister pointed to the successful implementation of e-procurement and direct benefit transfer (DBT), which has helped eliminate middlemen and ensured farmers receive the full value of their produce.

Saini further directed that all processes, from issuing gate passes to the collection of market fees, be fully digitised to enhance transparency. He said the state is procuring 24 crops at the minimum support price (MSP) and is accelerating efforts to improve basic facilities such as sheds, drinking water, toilets and rest houses in mandis.

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The chief minister said setting up cold storage facilities near farm gates for fruit and vegetable growers is a top government priority and asked market committees to fast-track proposals under the PPP model. He also stressed improving road connectivity to mandis and urged officials to adopt solar energy to meet electricity requirements.