Govt seeks bids to hire partner to set up online agri mkt

Government agency Small Farmers' Agribusiness Consortium (SFAC) has invited bids to hire a strategic partner to set up an online platform for the proposed national agriculture market that seeks to integrate 585 wholesale markets across India.In July this year, the Cabinet had approved setting up of an online national agriculture market that will provide more options to farmers to sell their produce and also marked Rs 200 crore for its establishment.An amount of Rs 100 crore has already been allocated in current year's Budget which is being used for the development of this platform."SFAC has invited bids for appointment of a strategic partner for implementing the national agriculture e-market in the country. We hope to receive good response," Agriculture Secretary Siraj Hussain told PTI.Bids should be submitted by November 3 and tenders will be opened on the same day, he added.With the help of a strategic partner, SFAC will set up an appropriate common e-market platform, which will be deployed in the selected 585 regulated wholesale markets keen to join the e-platform.As many as 10 states, including Andhra Pradesh, Odisha, Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh, Gujarat and Jharkhand, have shown interest to come on board.According to the proposal, the Union Agriculture Ministry will provide software to state governments free of cost. It will also give grant as a one-time fixed cost subject to the ceiling of Rs 30 lakh per mandi for related infrastructure for installation of the e-market platform.SFAC will implement the national e-platform in three phases in 2015-16, 2016-17 and 2017-18.Currently, farmers are restricted to selling their produce at mandis that charge various taxes.The proposed online agri-market is expected to give choice to farmers to sell their produce both in physical mandis or online platform. The easy access to sell via online trade is likely to boost their incomes and improve availability, moderating price rise.The Karnataka government is already offering a similar online agriculture market to farmers.