USAID Firms Project: Agricultural Marketing Legal Framework

The project aimed to develop a subordinate legislation framework for the Province of Sindh under the Sindh Wholesale Agricultural Produce Markets (Development and Regulation) Act, 2010. The framework was designed to regulate and develop wholesale agricultural produce markets in the province. The report explains the main provisions of the Sindh Act, which include the valuation of assets and liabilities of notified markets, the constitution, functions, and working of the regulatory Board, auction of agricultural produce in public and private markets, establishment and working of private markets, management of public markets, registration of both public and private markets, and dispute resolution. The report also provides a suggested course of action for implementing the subordinate legislation in the Province of Sindh. The framework was developed in consultation with stakeholders, including the Agricultural Research Council of Pakistan, the Computer Numerical Control (CNC) industry, and the Pakistan Agricultural Machinery & Implements Manufacturers Association (PAMIMA). The report highlights the importance of developing a robust legal framework to regulate the agricultural marketing sector in the Province of Sindh. The report also discusses the proposed Punjab law, the Punjab Agricultural Produce Marketing (Development and Modernization) Act, 2012, which was not implemented due to the draft law not being passed. The report provides a comparison of the Sindh and Punjab laws, highlighting the differences and similarities between the two. The framework includes six annexures, which provide detailed rules for the valuation of assets and liabilities, the regulation and development of wholesale agricultural produce markets, auction, establishment of private markets, management of market companies, and registration of markets. The annexures provide a comprehensive guide for implementing the subordinate legislation in the Province of Sindh. The report concludes that the subordinate legislation framework developed for the Province of Sindh is a significant step towards regulating and developing the agricultural marketing sector in the province. The framework provides a robust legal framework for the valuation of assets and liabilities, the regulation and development of wholesale agricultural produce markets, auction, establishment of private markets, management of market companies, and registration of markets. The framework is expected to improve the efficiency and effectiveness of the agricultural marketing sector in the Province of Sindh, leading to increased economic growth and development. The report highlights the importance of implementing the subordinate legislation framework in the Province of Sindh and provides a suggested course of action for implementing the framework. The report was prepared by Dr. Dil Muhammad Malik, a consultant under the USAID Firms Project, and was commissioned by Chemonics International. The report was reviewed by the USAID Technical Office, Office of the Economic Growth and Agriculture, USAID Pakistan.