Who are Arhtiyas?

About Arhtiyas:

 

"Arhtiyas" refers to commission agents or middlemen in the agricultural sector.

Primary Functions:

• Procurement: Arhtiyas procure agricultural produce from farmers either directly from the farm or at local agricultural markets (mandis).
• Financial Services: They often provide credit to farmers to meet their immediate financial needs, including inputs for the next cropping season or personal expenses.
• Storage: Arhtiyas may offer warehousing facilities for the storage of agricultural commodities.
• Marketing: They facilitate the sale of agricultural produce to wholesale buyers, such as government agencies or private traders, on behalf of the farmers. 

Commission:

• Arhtiyas charge a commission for their services, usually a percentage of the transaction value. The commission rates can vary depending on the region, crop, and prevailing market conditions.
• They play a significant role in the traditional agricultural marketing system, particularly in states like Punjab, Haryana, and Uttar Pradesh.
• Arhtiyas are an integral part of the Agricultural Produce Market Committee (APMC) system in India.

 

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Q) What is the Agricultural Produce Market Committee (APMC)?

Agricultural Produce Market Committee (APMC) is a statutory market committee constituted by a State Government in respect of trade in certain notified agricultural or horticultural or livestock products, under the Agricultural Produce Market Committee Act issued by that state government.

 

Source: Bitter Tussle in Himachal over Govt Decision to Sell Apples by Weight in Mandis as Arhtiyas Announce Strike