To provide for the better regulation of the purchase and sale of Agriculture Produce and the establishment of markets for Agriculture Produce in the Province of Sindh.

To protect interest of Growers in the sale and purchase of Agricultural Produce.

To establish Market Committees, self financing corporate bodies to execute the Act.

Issue license to Dealers, Commission Agent, Brokers, Weightmen, Surveyors, Warehousemen, Changer, Paladars, Boriottas and Rollers for carrying out their trade in Market and to renew suspend or cancel the license.

Levy Fee on Agricultural Produce bought or sold in the notified market area on prescribed rates.

To arrange open auction of the Agricultural Produce.

To supervise correct weightment and timely payment.

To fix and implement trade allowance in markets, so that growers are not fleeced at the hands of Middle men.

Construct Agriculture Markets and to provide amenities in the existing local markets as for as funds permits.

Any other duty assisted by Government from time to time.

Under Agricultural Produce Market Act 1939 and Rules 1940 Market Committees have no authority to fix rates and control over prices. The prices are controlled under profiteering and Hoarding Act 1977. All the authority for fixation of powers vests with DCO of the District.

31 Market Committees have purchased 38 plots of different size and have developed for construction of markets.

8 Market Committees have completed construction of 10 mandies and these mandies are in operation.

4 Wholesale Fruit & Vegetable Markets at Karachi, Hyderabad, Larkana and Jacobabad are constructed when 2 markets at Mirpurkhas and Tando Adam are improved with assistance of ADB.

The real potential in export of fruits and vegetables would only be realized if proper marketing and processing arrangements are made. To streamline the arrangements, establishment of Export Processing Zone for fruits in the neighborhood of Karachi Airport would be necessary. Accordingly it is proposed that EPZFV, with the following characteristic may be established on the highway in Sindh. The Board of Revenue Sindh provided 100 acres of land for this purpose, near Subzi Mandi Super High way Karachi.

Infrastructure to be developed by private sector.
Government to provide utilities.
Allotment of space to all agricultural exporters.
30 percent of the space to be allotted to farmers.
Grading, waxing and packaging facilities.
Processing of fruits and vegetables.
One-window operations for export formalities.
Establishment of office of Marketing and Grading. GO Pakistan.

An important element of the strategy involves establishment of cold stoppages in the main fruit growing areas. In this connection road transport aspect will have to be considered. Presently all fresh produce for export in transported at ambient temperature by trucks. These vehicles vary in load capacity for small open backed trucks to large double axle trucks. All vehicles tend to be over-loaded, with the result that average speeds are very low. Horticulture produce being carried by the trucks in bulk to wholesale market is damaged prior to reaching the packing areas for exports. Therefore the refrigerated consignment is key factor for maintaining the physiological appearance and long shelf life not only for exports but also for domestic marketing of fresh produce.

The country’s international airports are totally devoid of facilities for handing fresh produce for the export. The produce is often loaded into metal containers that have stood in the sun all day and quite often are put back in the open after loading. None of the airports offer cold storage facilities at cargo area or within a reasonable traveling distance from them. Only limited covered ambient areas are available and during peak seasons produce is left in the open before shipment.

The main transportation problem is the timely availability of space. PIA dominates the supply of air cargo space. Many other airlines avoid carrying fresh produce because perishable products are logistically more difficult to handle.

In the circumstance it is essential to go for making all the requisite arrangements at the Jinnah Terminal in the Karachi Airport. This includes providing of one-window for exporters cold storages refrigerated consignments and availability of space in cargo services.

To regulate/organize the trade at all Markets under control of Market Committees in particular, markets constructed with assistance of ADB.

To develop 25 Market and to make them functional.

To strengthen the Directorate of Agriculture Marketing for vigilant Supervision of Marketing Wing.