<p>The Goa State Agricultural Marketing Board has no powers to fix the rate of cashews, or any notified commodities, said board chairman Prakash Velip, at a press conference on Wednesday. Raising concerns over the rates of cashewnuts, Velip had recently said the government needs to frame a policy for fixing cashew rates. Velip further told the reporters that a detailed project report (DPR) for upgrading four market yards — Sakhali, Mapusa, Curchorem and Margao — is being prepared by agri consultancy agency NABCONS. “By the end of March, the work of agri bazaar in Ponda, costing around Rs 32 crore, will be undertaken under Rashtriya Krishi Vikas Yojana ,” Velip said. He said the improvement of another sub-yard in Pernem, costing around Rs 3 crore, will be complete by March, and added that an additional Rs 3 crore would be utilised to upgrade and spruce up sub-yards in Canacona.<br></p>