Mumbai: Along with other cities, is set to streamline the distribution of farm produce and vegetables through government measures.
The state government has outlined a plan in a recent government circular to facilitate the smooth supply of farm produce and vegetables to Mumbai, Thane, and neighboring cities.
The move aims to address the potential disruptions in the supply and alternative arrangements to prevent potential shortages of daily food items in the metropolitan areas of Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC), Thane Municipal Corporation (TMC), and other connected municipal corporations.
The ongoing farmers’ agitation for Maratha reservation has reached the Mumbai region. The agitators have achieved success in establishing a competitive presence in the New Mumbai Agricultural Produce Market Committee. Consequently, it is anticipated that the supply and transactions of farm produce and other food items will be affected. In response, a coordinated effort involving the Director, Panan, Executive Director, Maharashtra State, Agriculture Produce Market Committee, Pune, Secretary, Mumbai Agricultural Produce Market Committee, in collaboration with the relevant municipal corporations, should be initiated to navigate the potential disruption.
To efficiently distribute the distressed farm produce in the state and mitigate economic losses for farmers, the cultivation should be directed towards the urban markets of Mumbai, Thane, and other nearby cities. This should be done in coordination with the Maharashtra State, Agriculture Produce Market Committee, Pune, the Secretary, Mumbai Agricultural Produce Market Committee, and the respective secretaries of other connected municipal corporations.
The current transportation route for Mumbai Agricultural Produce Market Committee entry via the Atal Setu (Mumbai Trans-Harbor Link) will be used to directly transport the farm produce and other goods to farmers, traders, and transportation operators in the daily commuting region of Mumbai. This method will avoid hindrance to daily transportation to Mumbai city from Panvel and Nashik road. This distribution approach will be similarly applied to smaller markets in Kirkee.
For the successful implementation of this plan, the government will extend the necessary authority under Section 59 of the Maharashtra Agricultural Produce Market Development and Regulation Act, 1963, as per Section 6. Authorities such as the Commissioner of Police/Director, Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation, and other relevant municipal corporation commissioners should be contacted to ensure effective communication with consumers regarding the distribution of farm produce.
The Commissioner, Mumbai Metropolitan Development Authority, has also informed the concerned parties about the smooth transportation of farm produce via the Atal Setu. This information has been mentioned in the government circular.
