Haryana Chief Minister Manohar Lal has said that the Farmers' Produce Trade and Commerce (Promotion and Facilitation) Ordinance and the Farmers (Empowerment and Protection) Agreement on Price Assurance and Farm Services Ordinance, 2020 are in the interest of farmers. The ordinances were brought by the Central Government earlier this year to reform the agricultural sector.<br />''<br />''Speaking at a press conference in Chandigarh, Mr Manohar Lal said, these initiatives have given freedom to the farmers to sell their produce not only in the Mandis but to traders, Food Processing units or anywhere else. He said this would enable them to get prices higher than the Minimum Support Price for produce. The ordinances allow farmers, under the contract farming, to enter into an e- agreement with any person, commission Agent or bank for sale of farm produce. Farmers would not be required to mortgage land for crop loans.<br />''<br />''The Chief Minister added that steps are being taken to realize Prime Minister Narendra Modi's vision of doubling the farmers' income by the year 2022. He said that new initiatives also pave the way for diversification of crops as farmers would opt for crops with higher prices in the open market. He further said that Haryana Government will deploy 17,000 volunteers in lauding progressive farmers, Agricultural or Horticultural scientists under Kisan Mittra Yojana to advise farmers on effective utilization of land and assist in better financial management.<br />''<br />''The Chief Minister appealed to the farmers to remain vigilant against people who are trying to misled them on these Ordinances for political reasons.<br />''<br />''Mr Manohar Lal said that in the 20 lakh crore rupees Aatma Nirbhar Bharat economic package announced by the Central Government, one lakh crore rupees has been set aside for agricultural infrastructure including warehouses and agro-based industries. He said that schemes are being chalked out to ensure that farmers of Haryana get the maximum benefit from this package.<br />''<br />''The Chief Minister also announced that 2000 'Retail Outlets' would soon be opened in villages and cities through the state Cooperative Department. Youth would get employment in these outlets according to their abilities and skills. He said that these outlets will function as mini super markets. He also informed that potable mineral water under the brand name 'Haryana Fresh' is also being launched through the Public Health Engineering Department.<br />