Introduction
Portuguese Rule in Goa came to an end in December 1961 and since then the territory of Goa set forth its all-round progress in economic industrial and agricultural field. Agriculture was the major occupation of this territory of growing important agricultural crops like paddy, coconut, cashewnut, betelnut, banana, pineapple, mango, kokum, chillies and vegetables etc. which are of commercial importance prior to liberation. Though the agriculture was predominant in this area, it was neglected and no much attention was paid to improve the economic standard of the farming community. Village trade was predominant and marketable surplus that was available in the territory. The entire trading activity was confined to the villages and traders used to control the trading activity and producers could not receive remunerative prices for their produce. Malpractices like short weight, unauthorized deduction and high rate of commission were also charged and this were coupled with absence of marketing facilities added to the hardship of producer seller.
Under this background after liberation the Govt. Of Goa made careful study of the situation and with view to improve economic condition of farming community, regulation of trade activity was thought to be the way out as done in several other states in India by introducing Agriculture Produce Market Act.
Application of the present Market Act
With the view to bring about an integrated development of marketing of agricultural produce and to safeguard the economic interest of the producer / seller in Goa, the Govt. in the year 1968 extended to this state, then Union Territory the Maharashtra Agricultural Produce Marketing (Regulation) Act 1963. With suitable modification The Act was made applicable with effect from 16.09.1968 and Goa Agricultural Produce Marketing (Regulation) Rules 1969 were framed.
Object of the Act
The object of this act is to ensure better prices to the producer farmer and to stop malpractices by way of regulating buying and selling practice of agricultural commodities.