In a historic achievement for Punjab nd the nation, the Punjab State Agricultural Marketing Board (Punjab Mandi Board) has won the prestigious World Union of Wholesale Markets (hereafter, referred as WUWM) Major Innovation Award – Nomination on November 6, 2026, at the WUWM Conference in Tianjin, China.
This is a landmark moment in the history of India’s agricultural marketing sector. For the first time in the history of the World Union of Wholesale Markets (WUWM), any Board or Agricultural Produce Market Committee (APMC) from India has received this prestigious international recognition. The achievement brings global recognition to Punjab and places India’s agricultural wholesale market sector on the international stage.
The award was conferred upon the Punjab State Agricultural Marketing Board for its innovative initiatives in agricultural wholesale market development. Punjab was selected for its presentation on the topic, “Smart, Sustainable and Energy Efficient Wholesale Markets,” highlighting the State’s integrated efforts to transform agricultural wholesale markets into modern, financially productive, technology-enabled, sustainable and community-oriented public assets.
The recognition followed a rigorous international selection process. Three proposals were received for the WUWM Major Innovation Award – Nomination, and after careful evaluation, the international jury selected the Punjab State Agricultural Marketing Board as the winner. The jury recognized Punjab’s innovative approach towards modernization of agricultural markets, strengthening transparency, improving infrastructure, promoting sustainability and creating wider benefits for farmers and communities.
Sh. Harchand Singh Barsat (Chairman, Punjab State Agricultural Marketing Board) accompanied by Dr. J. S. Yadav (Managing Director, National Council of State Agricultural Marketing Boards, New Delhi -cum- Director WUWM), jointly received the prestigious award on behalf of the Punjab State Agricultural Marketing Board.
Punjab’s award-winning initiatives demonstrate how wholesale markets can evolve beyond conventional trading spaces and become important drivers of rural growth, technological advancement, environmental sustainability and public welfare.
The Punjab State Agricultural Marketing Board has developed an extensive agricultural marketing network comprising 158 APMCs, 152 Principal Yards, 285 Sub-yards and 1,485 Seasonal Purchase Centers. Through a series of innovative initiatives, the Board has worked towards modernizing this vast network and strengthening its contribution to farmers, market stakeholders and rural communities.
A major achievement highlighted in the award proposal is Punjab’s innovative approach towards the transparent and financially productive management of market assets. Through open e-auction of wholesale market properties, 1,846 properties have been sold since 2022–23, generating ₹746 crore. The Board has also initiated Kisan Petrol Pumps in wholesale markets, creating additional revenue streams while benefiting farmers and generating rural employment.
Technology has played an important role in Punjab’s market modernization. The installation of boom barriers and weigh bridges at market entry points has strengthened transparency, accountability and revenue tracking. Digital initiatives, including Aadhaar-seeded farmer registration, online J-Forms, land mapping and QR-coded transaction records, have further contributed to greater transparency and efficiency in agricultural marketing.
Punjab’s initiatives also demonstrate a strong commitment to smart, sustainable and energy-efficient infrastructure. The Board maintains an extensive rural link-road network, has constructed 654 new sheds, and installed rooftop solar plants in 36 wholesale markets. It is also pursuing warehouses and cold stores near railway yards to strengthen the supply chain and support the efficient handling and preservation of perishable commodities.
Environmental sustainability and hygiene form another important dimension of Punjab’s transformation. Fruit and vegetable markets follow prescribed food hygiene standards, while mechanized cleaning systems have been introduced to improve sanitation. Bathinda Wholesale Market became the first market in Punjab to receive the “Eat Right Fruit and Vegetable Market” certification. The Board has also undertaken extensive tree plantation and initiated a pilot bio-waste management plant to convert fruit and vegetable waste into nutrient-rich manure.
The Punjab Mandi Board’s integrated approach also includes farmer welfare, education and knowledge development through accident compensation, scholarships for agriculture students and support for post-harvest research. Market infrastructure is additionally being utilized for wider community activities and public conveniences.
Collectively, these initiatives demonstrate the transformation of agricultural wholesale markets into smart, sustainable, financially productive, technology-enabled and community-oriented public assets. Punjab’s model combines digital governance, infrastructure modernization, asset management, farmer welfare, environmental sustainability and knowledge development.
Speaking on this historic achievement, Sh. Harchand Singh Barsat, Chairman, Punjab State Agricultural Marketing Board, stated:
“This is a moment of immense pride for Punjab and for the entire nation. Winning the WUWM Major Innovation Award and bringing this international recognition to India for the first time in the history of WUWM is a remarkable achievement. We are grateful to the international jury for recognizing Punjab’s innovative efforts under the theme ‘Smart, Sustainable and Energy Efficient Wholesale Markets’ and for selecting Punjab as the winner from among the proposals received.”
He further stated that the historic award won on November 6, 2026, at the WUWM Conference in Tianjin, China, is not only a proud achievement for Punjab but also a landmark moment for India. For the first time in the history of WUWM, an Indian Board or APMC has received this distinguished international recognition.
Punjab’s success on the global WUWM platform demonstrates that India’s agricultural wholesale markets are capable of setting international benchmarks in innovation, sustainability, energy efficiency, transparency and inclusive rural development.