India, Dec. 5 -- Agricultural markets across Maharashtra are set to remain shut on Friday as thousands of traders have launched a one-day token strike, demanding sweeping reforms to what they describe as an outdated and burdensome agricultural trade regime. Called by the Maharashtra Rajya Kruti Samiti, a coalition of five apex trading organisations, the bandh is expected to halt operations in every major market yard from Kolhapur and Pune to Navi Mumbai, disrupting the daily movement of food grains, oilseeds, staples and other agricultural produce.

At the core of the protest is the Agricultural Produce Marketing Committee (APMC) Act of 1963, which, traders argue, has become obsolete in an era of rapid changes in storage, logistics, packa...