Yogi Govt Relaxes Mandi Fees for Flower Farmers, Boosts Sustainable Agriculture

Strategic Insights -

In a bid to ease the burden on flower farmers in Uttar Pradesh, the state government has decided to remove flowers from the list of specified agricultural products and exempt them from mandi fees when sold outside market premises. This move is expected to provide crucial support to small, marginal, and seasonal flower farmers, who often suffer losses due to the perishable nature of their produce. The government also announced plans to launch a unique initiative to turn farmers into brand ambassadors of sustainable agriculture, selecting 200 natural farming practitioners as role models to promote eco-friendly farming practices.

Key Takeaways:

  • The Yogi government has removed flowers from the list of specified agricultural products, exempting them from mandi fees when sold outside market premises.
  • The decision aims to provide relief to small, marginal, and seasonal flower farmers who often face losses due to the perishable nature of their produce.
  • Flower farmers will only have to pay a user fee when trading within market premises, bringing down their costs and increasing their profits.
  • The state government has also launched a unique initiative to promote sustainable agriculture, selecting 200 natural farming practitioners as role models to spread awareness about eco-friendly farming practices.
  • The selected farmers will undergo specialized training through the 'Training of Trainers (ToT) model' to become master trainers at the divisional and district levels.
  • The initiative is being implemented under the National Mission for Natural Farming, with support from Local Natural Farming Institutions.
  • The market council has recorded a revenue of Rs 1,994.55 crore in 2024-25, an increase of 16.2% over 2023-24.

Statistics:

  • The market council has recorded a revenue of Rs 1,994.55 crore in 2024-25, up 16.2% from the previous year.
  • The malikparshad levy has been waived for fertilizers and pesticides until 31 March 2024.
  • The state government has selected 200 natural farming practitioners to serve as role models and promote sustainable agriculture.
  • The selected farmers will undergo specialized training to become master trainers at the divisional and district levels.

Sources:

  • "Yogi govt relaxes mandi fees for flower farmers, boosts sustainable agriculture" by TNN (no date mentioned) [1]
  • Uttar Pradesh government's press release [2]