Chandigarh: Keeping India’s growing population in mind, improving crop supply chains and management has become a critical necessity today. These views were expressed by S. Harchand Singh Barst—Chairman of the Punjab Mandi Board and Chairman of the National Council of State Agricultural Marketing Boards (COSAMB)—at a national conference organized on the subject of “Food Loss and Waste in Wholesale Fruit and Vegetable Markets.”
At this national conference held in Uttarakhand—presided over by Mr. Anil Dabbu, Chairman of the Uttarakhand State Agricultural Marketing Board—S. Burst stated that preventing food loss and wastage is crucial in the current times. He mentioned that a draft for a national marketing policy is being prepared, taking into account crop production and consumption data across various states of the country. He emphasized the importance of understanding ground realities and the needs of farmers while formulating policies. Farmers should receive fair prices for their produce and benefit from efficient management in the *mandis* (markets).
Additionally, S. Burst shared detailed information regarding the efforts and new initiatives undertaken by the Punjab Mandi Board for the welfare of farmers, the improvement of the marketing system, and infrastructure development. He noted that there are 158 market committees under the Punjab Mandi Board, comprising 152 main markets, 285 sub-yards, and 1,428 procurement centers. Temporary procurement centers are also notified as required during the crop season. The Board is maintaining 64,878 kilometers of link roads across the state.
He stated that a road safety project has been launched to further strengthen road safety measures, incorporating features such as road markings, road studs, rumble strips, signage, and reflective paint. To promote environmental conservation, saplings are being planted in market yards across the state under the ‘Shaheed Bhagat Singh Haryaval Lehar’ (Green Drive). Additionally, 654 sheds have been constructed and 36 solar plants installed within these market yards.
S. Barst mentioned that an e-auction system was introduced in 2022-23 to bring transparency to the market yards; through this system, approximately 1,846 plots have been sold so far, generating revenue of around ₹746 crore for the Board. Furthermore, ‘Kisan Petrol Pumps’ are being set up in 20 market yards. The modernization of Kisan Bhawan, Chandigarh, and Kisan Haveli, Sri Anandpur Sahib, has led to an increase in the revenue generated from these facilities. Between July 2023 and March 2026, this revenue rose to approximately ₹12 crore.
In the realm of e-governance, the Punjab Mandi Board undertook a unique initiative to issue QR-coded ‘J-forms’ to farmers via WhatsApp, an effort for which the Board was honored with a national award. Through the Board’s efforts, a 19-acre, 6-kanal, 13-marla land parcel worth approximately ₹60 crore was acquired at Mahimadpur on the Patiala-Sangrur highway, where a modern *mandi* (market) will be constructed. The Bathinda *mandi* has received certification from the FSSAI as Punjab’s first ‘Eat Right’ fruit and vegetable market.
He mentioned that ATMs in the *mandis*… Initiatives are also being undertaken, such as making covered sheds available for free indoor sports training for children during the off-season and providing market yards at reasonable rates for social events, including weddings. Delegates attending the conference appreciated these efforts by the Punjab Mandi Board, and marketing boards from other states expressed interest in adopting similar measures.