This document analyzes the status of agricultural marketing infrastructure facilities across different states in India. It finds that there is an uneven spread of regulated agricultural produce markets across districts and states, with the average area served by each market varying significantly. There is also a deficit of over 30,000 markets needed based on recommended standards. Storage infrastructure is important but lacking, and specialized markets for fruits and vegetables make up a low share of total markets. Various state governments have also started alternative marketing methods like direct marketing to consumers and electronic spot exchanges, while contract farming has been implemented in some states for certain crops.
This document analyzes the status of agricultural marketing infrastructure facilities across different states in India. It finds that there is an uneven spread of regulated agricultural produce markets across districts and states, with the average area served by each market varying significantly. There is also a deficit of over 30,000 markets needed based on recommended standards. Storage infrastructure is important but lacking, and specialized markets for fruits and vegetables make up a low share of total markets. Various state governments have also started alternative marketing methods like direct marketing to consumers and electronic spot exchanges, while contract farming has been implemented in some states for certain crops.
This document analyzes the status of agricultural marketing infrastructure facilities across different states in India. It finds that there is an uneven spread of regulated agricultural produce markets across districts and states, with the average area served by each market varying significantly. There is also a deficit of over 30,000 markets needed based on recommended standards. Storage infrastructure is important but lacking, and specialized markets for fruits and vegetables make up a low share of total markets. Various state governments have also started alternative marketing methods like direct marketing to consumers and electronic spot exchanges, while contract farming has been implemented in some states for certain crops.
This document analyzes the status of agricultural marketing infrastructure facilities across different states in India. It finds that there is an uneven spread of regulated agricultural produce markets across districts and states, with the average area served by each market varying significantly. There is also a deficit of over 30,000 markets needed based on recommended standards. Storage infrastructure is important but lacking, and specialized markets for fruits and vegetables make up a low share of total markets. Various state governments have also started alternative marketing methods like direct marketing to consumers and electronic spot exchanges, while contract farming has been implemented in some states for certain crops.
M.S.Jairath* Marketing infrastructure includes all those facilities and amenities needed for the smooth conduct of marketing in the economy. The infrastructural facilities in development are as necessary as foundations of a building. The existence of adequate marketing infrastructure are important not only for the performance of various marketing functions and expansion of the size of the markets but also for the transfer of appropriate price signals leading to improved marketing efficiency. The availability of different infrastructures affects the choice of technology to be adopted, reduces the cost of transportation, produces powerful impetus to production and also affects income distribution in favour of small and marginal farmers by raising their access to the market. The agriculture sector needs heavy investment for creation of basic infrastructures necessary for the overall economic development. In a developing country like India, marketing infrastructures play a pivotal role in fostering and sustaining the tempo of rural and economic development. Marketing is as critical to better performance in agriculture as farming itself. Though the role of infrastructure is the key element of any development programme yet their role in distribution and marketing is the supreme. Indias growth both as agriculturally and horticultural advanced country may get derailed if various marketing infrastructural constraints are not removed. Many of the regions of the country still suffer from the existence of infrastructural problems that they threaten to torpedo the regions agricultural and horticultural development efforts. In this paper an attempt has been made to examine the status of different agricultural marketing infrastructures, their geographical spread in the different states of India and also the policy measures for strengthening of these infrastructural facilities. !esides this other marketing infrastructure, which has been set up in the specialized form of organization, has also been """" # $irector, %ational Institute of &gricultural Marketing, !ambala, %ear 'anganar, (aipur ) *a+asthan, - I%$I& "././01 2 +ust mentioned for information. MATERIAL AND METHODS: To meet the ob+ective of the study necessary data on agricultural marketing infrastructures such as agricultural produce markets, sub yards rural periodic markets, storage and warehousing facilities, roads, transport vehicles, grading, communication, and post harvest technology were collected from the annual report of various ministries 3 their directorate dealing in the sub+ect i.e. $irectorate of Marketing 3 Inspection, Ministry of &griculture, 45I, %ew $elhi, %ational 6orticulture !oard, Ministry of &griculture, 45I, %ew $elhi, Ministry of Transport, 45I, %ew $elhi, $irectorate of 'urface Transport, $epartment of Telecommunication, Ministry of 7ommunication, 8arehousing 7orporations working under Ministry of 9ood 3 7ivil 'upply, *eport of :xpert 7ommittee on 'trengthening and $evelopment of &gricultural Marketing etc. :ntire information has been culled out from the published reports and websites of the ministries. The data has been analyses with the help of simple statistical tools and presented in tabular form. ;nusable delay in getting information about participation of the author in this 'eminar from the organizers, single handedness of the researcher, time 3 resource constraints are the limiting factor for carrying out time series analysis, which might distort our policy for development of these marketing facilities.
RESULTS AND DISCUSSIONS )i , AGRICULTURAL PRODUCE MARKETS: &ctual buying and selling of agricultural commodities takes place in market yards, sub"yards and rural markets< haats spread throughout the length and breadth of the country. &gricultural produce regulated markets have been playing a ma+or role in the smooth distribution of foodgrains, oilseeds, fiber crops and fruits and vegetables to meet the supply and demand needs of the farmers, traders, processors and consumers of the 'tate. The research studies revealed that farmers on an average gets = to 2/ per cent higher price and higher share in the consumers rupee by selling their produce in the regulated markets compared to rural, village and unregulated wholesale markets. The benefits got by the farmers by sale of agricultural produce in the regulated market varies from area to area because of the variation in the spread of regulated markets over the regions and the > existence of necessary infrastructural amenities< facilities in these regulated markets. There are ?2@? agricultural produce regulated markets in the country by the end of March >/2/. There is uneven spread of these regulated markets in the districts )Table"2, of the state. The average area served by each regulated market also varied considerably among the states of India. It varies from 2/. 'q.Am per market in Bun+ab, 2>0 in 8est !engal, 2@1 in 6aryana, ./@ in &ndhra Bradesh, .C? in &ssam, .@/ in Mahrashtra, .=. in Aarnataka and .0C in ;ttar Bradesh. The states like &runachal Bradesh, 6imachal Bradesh, Meghalyaya, 'ikkim, and ;ttaranachal were among those where average area served by each market was more than one thousand sq.km. The average area served by each market works out to >=0=. sq.km. !ased on the recommendation of %ational 7ommission on &griculture there should be one market for =/ sq. km of area. &ccordingly there is a deficit of .C1?0 markets and need to promote more markets in various states. The share of specialized markets like fruits and vegetables in total regulated markets is low. 5nly few states have separate 9ruit and Degetables wholesale regulated markets. Their availability is not even one per thousand" sq. km. &rea. :ven the horticulture 'tates which accounts for nearly >/ per cent of fruits and vegetables production does not have even one regulated market per // sq. km area. 9urther the markets, which have been exclusively developed for handling of fruits and vegetables, do not have sufficient facilities for handling the total produce available in the area. Most of the regulated markets at present still awfully lacks facilities for handling produce as less space for auction platform, inadequate number of shops and godowns in the premises etc. and hence reduces the effective participation of traders. &bsence of storage godowns at market level further perpetuates the problems of traders in general and continuous movement of goods in particular. Darious 'tate government recently initiated a process of direct marketing by producers to the consumers in the country by initiating the concept of &pni Mandi ) Bun+ab,, *ythu !azar ) &ndhra Bradesh,, ;zahaver 'handies )T.%., and 'hetkoori bazers in Maharashtra. !ut these markets have been promoted so far only at the 'tate headquarter and some district headquarters ad+oining to the state. & rural periodic market< haats is the first contact point for producer - sellers for en"cashing his agricultural produce and income. There are about . >?,>0C rural periodic markets in the country. The minimum necessary infrastructural facilities do not exist in these rural periodic markets. !esides above after market reform initiatives for alternative marketing methods have also been taken. Eicense for $irect Marketing has been granted in Maharashtra to M<' &ditya !irla *etail Etd, *uch 'oya Industries, M<s Tina 5ils, etc 3 in 4u+arat to !orsad &gro Marketing Bvt. Etd., *eliance &gri Broducts $istribution Bvt. Etd., *eliance 9resh, etc. In Madhya Bradesh and *a+asthan to IT7 e"choupal. In ;ttar Bradesh to 6aryali Aisan !azar 'imilarly license for :lectronic 'pot :xchange has also been granted to %ational 'pot :xchange Etd. )%':E,, %7$:F 'pot :xchange Etd. )%'B5T, and %ational &griculture Broduce Marketing 7ompany of India Etd. )%&BM7,. Today such facilities are available in the states of Maharashtra, Aarnataka, 4u+arat, *a+asthan, !ihar, 5rissa and Madhya Bradesh for trading commodities e.g. cotton, caster seeds, maize, deshi chana, guar, betel nut, etc. Eicense for 7ontract 9arming has also been extended in the state of Maharashtra to %$$!"I5% :xchange, ::759&*M', M&6G75" M&6I%$*&, (ain Irrigation, 6industan Eiver Etd.etc 3 Bun+ab" %i++er &gro 9oods EtdH ;nited !reweries EtdH 'atnam 5verseas, Tata 7hemicals Etd, etc. In Tamil %adu to &pachi 7otton and in &ndhra Bradesh to Denkeys 6atchery. 'tate wise details of contract farming along with crops practicing these are given in Table ">, )ii, STORAGE INFRASTRUCTURESI This capital"intensive marketing infrastructure is necessary for carrying the agricultural produce from production seasons to consuming periods. Eack of inadequate scientific storage facilities cause heavy losses to farmers in terms of huge wastage of quantity and quality of crops in general and of fruits and vegetables in particular. 'easonal fluctuations in prices are aggravated in the absence of these facilities. To have storage facilities in the country, the &gricultural Broduce )$evelopment and 8arehousing, 7orporation &ct was enacted in 20@1. The 'tate 4overnments also enacted the warehousing &cts during (uly 20@? to &ugust 20@=. The scheme of 8arehousing, *ural 4odowns and 7old storageJs have been initiated in public, cooperative and private sectors in the country to meet the storage C needs of the producers in different areas. The progress made in this regard is as followsI )i, The total storage capacity available at the end of >/2/ of 787, '87, and 97I is about ?@ million tonnes. It is estimated that about >@ million tones of grains are stored in the form of 7&B )covered 3 plinth,. )ii, The *ural 4odowns under %7*4 'cheme initiated in 20?0 have constructed rural godowns of 2@ million tonnes.capacity. )iii, ;nder the 4ramen !handaran Go+ana of 45I, about 1? M.T. capacities )Table "., have been created in the country up to March >/2/. Aeeping in view the agricultural production in the country, the available storage facilities< capacities are short looking. Eooking at the production trends and assuming ?/ percent as marketed surplus, a storage capacity of 2@/ MT is needed. !" C#$% St#ra&': 8ith a view to enhance shelf life of perishables, cold storages in the country have also been promoted. Bresently a total of @>?C cold storages )Table "C, are in the country with a total capacity of >C..2 million tonnes. Most of these cold storage units are in the private sector. Bublic and cooperative sector accounts for a very small capacity. The present storage capacity of cold stores is sufficient for only 2> percent of the total production of fruits and vegetables. There are two states where there is no cold storage is available. 5n the other hand states like &ssam, 6imachal Bradesh, (ammu 3 Aashmir, Aerala, 'ikkim and Tamilnadu have cold storage capacity available only for one percent of their produce. There are only four states i.e. Bun+ab, ;ttar Bradesh, 8est !engal and *a+asthan which have more than all India average capacity available for their produce. The demand for cold storage facilities is there for other agricultural products also. Bresently density of cold storage is about two per thousand sq. km of area. Eooking to the available quantities of perishable products )fruits 3 vegetables, the cold storage capacity available in the country is inadequate and requires their promotion both in the production as well as consuming areas of the 'tate. (" R'')'r *a+,- C#+tai+'r,: 9or transport of perishable produce to domestic and export markets reefer vans< containers are required. Their availability increased from C.2 in >//2 to .?22 during >/2/ but this is extremely low looking to the need for transportation of perishable commodities from one area to another. Thus the country would also need @ reefer containers< vans for transport of perishable commodities for domestic and export marketing. )iii, TRANSPORT AND COMMUNICATION INFRASTRUCTURE: & well"developed and efficient system of transportation helps in the expansion of markets, reduces the transport time and costs of transportation of the commodities. *oads in movement of produce are +ust like the arteries in human body for blood circulation. Dillage roads in India is about >1.@/ lakh Am. Ma+ority of the agricultural produce, producer of the tribal areas and perishable farm products are still confined to village markets for sale of their produce for want of surfaced roads and sufficient means of transportation. The road density per //J sq. km. of area in the country is much below the recommendations of 'hillong plan )20=2, of .>.@"km. road per 2//"sq. km. area. Though India, have one of the largest road network of ...2C million km, consisting of %ational 6ighways, :xpressways )?/@C= Am,, 'tate 6ighways )2.>= Eakh Am,, Ma+or $istrict *oads, 5ther $istrict *oads )C.?/ Eakh Am,. The percentage of 'ingle Eane< Intermediate lane >/,=C0 km )./K,, $ouble lane .?,1C1 km )@.K, &nd 9our Eane<'ix lane<:ight Eane 2>,/@. km )2?K,. The lack of double lane roads has a negative effect on the speed of transport means. The rapid expansion and strengthening of the road network, therefore, is imperative, to provide for both present and future traffic and for improved accessibility to the hinterland. In addition, road transport needs to be regulated for better energy efficiency, less pollution and enhanced road safety. *ailway wagons are also used for transportation of agricultural commodities from wholesale markets to consumption centers. *ailway route length in the country is not sufficient and electrified track is not even bare minimum. The existing rail facilities in the country are highly inadequate. *ail lines even do not connect some of the districts in the country. The air cargo facilities are also available in limited number of 'tates. :xisting air cargo facilities are in poor condition and much below the international standards. !esides above telephone is also used as means of communication for marketing of produce in India. %umber of mobile enable services is addressing the information needs of the stakeholders to some extent. The dissemination of market information on price, arrival and other related 1 information is provided at low cost and wider coverage. In the field of agricultural marketing presently mobile services are provided by I9975, &irtel, *euters, IT7 and M' 'waminathan *esearch 9oundation. The 7ommunication Technology has taken a big leap forward and received the national recognition as the key driver for development and growth. The gross telephone subscribers in the country reached about @1>.>2 million as of $ecember >//0 )mobile telephone subscribes about @>@.21 million, as compared to .=C.?0 million )mobile telephone subscribes about .C1.=0 million, as of $ecember >//=. The over all tale" density reached C?.=0 per cent in $ecember >//0 as compared to ...>. per cent in $ecember >//=. )iv, PROCESSING INFRASTRUCTURE: & strong and effective food"processing sector plays a significant supportive role in diversification and commercialization of agriculture. Brocessing function adds value to the products and enhances the income of the farmers in addition to generation of employment in the economy. & number of agro" processing units for processing of different agricultural products have been established in the country in recent past with the increasing consumer demand for processed products. The processing capacity of the existing units has also been enhanced. 6uge post " harvest losses of fruits and vegetables is there in absence of the processing units. Bresently only >.. per cent of total production of fruits and vegetables is being processed in the country. Though the country offers vast potential for establishing agro"processing units like for oilseeds, foodgrains and sugarcane, yet their availability in the number of 'tate is almost negligible. There are several thousands of bakeries, traditional food units and fruit< vegetable< spices processing units in unorganized sector. In the organized sector there are over @21 flour mills, @1= fish processing units, @>0. fruits 3 vegetable processing units, C>0 sugar mills, ?>@ solvent extraction plants and 2.@/ lakh rice mills along with .@/== modern rice mills. There are more than 2@ thousand pulse mills having 21 MT capacity spread over the country. Though the country offers vast potential for establishing agro - processing units like for oilseeds, food grains and sugarcane, yet their availability in the number of states is almost negligible. ." CLEANING/ GRADING AND PACKAGING INFRASTRUCTURE: ? To help the consumers by supplying good quality products at reasonable prices and to help the producer - farmers in realizing the remunerative prices of their produce and also for smooth conduct of trade transactions by adopting a common trade language, grading and standardization of agricultural commodities is a necessary step and of pivotal importance to attain efficient marketing. 4rading and standardization of commodities also helps in collection and dissemination of accurate market information, cooperatively pooling of produce, adoption of group marketing system, prevention of health hazards on account of adulteration by harmful products and also creates quality consciousness among the masses of the country. *ealizing the importance of the grading and standardization, a pioneer attempt has been made by the 4overnment through an enactment of a legislation L The &gricultural Broduce )4rading and Marketing, &ct,20.?. ;nder this act, the grade standard has been notified for 2=C agricultural commodities so far. The commodities graded under this act bear &4M&*A label on the products, which is an indication of purity and of quality goods. The &4M&*A grading is done both for internal consumption and or for export. 4rading and standardization of agricultural produce is done under the &gricultural Broduce )4rading and Marking, &ct, 20.?. 4rading is being undertaken at the traders and producers level both for internal consumption and for export. To facilitate grading, grading centers have been established only in 2.>2 markets so far. The trend of the quantity of agricultural produce graded over time is a rising one. !ut the quantity graded at producers level is still almost negligible. There is a need to create facilities for cleaning, grading and packaging at primary level and also in the villages from where produce is brought for sale. In the absence of such facilities at the village, the kind of congestion and pollution mounts at the market yard level. !esides this to enhance the quality of agricultural produce, 0@1 laboratories )Table "@, have been established for undertaking analysis of check < sample research and training of sponsored chemists. The spread of these laboratories as well as their availability per /// 'q. Am is quite low as is envisaged from Table """ 5n an average not even one laboratory is available for serving an area of one thousand 'q. Am. & against this, there are > laboratories available to serve one thousand tone of produce at all India level. 'uch facilities are complete absent in all the %: states, 'ikkim and 4oa. 5n examination of information of Eaboratory in relation to produce it has been observed that their availability is much below the all India average = in the states of 8est !engal, &ndhra Bradesh, !ihar, 7hhattisgarh, 4u+arat, (harkhand, Aarnataka, Madhya Bradesh, 5rissa, Bun+ab, Tamil %adu and ;ttaranchal. .i" FOOD PARKS AND PACK HOUSES IN SPECIALI0ED GROWING REGIONS: India is second largest producer of fruits 3 vegetables. 8ith a view to tap export markets and catering to the need of bulk buyers, mechanical graded and packed house are required in the horticulture growing areas. 7ertain activities like cleaning, washing, grading, packaging, refrigerated transportation etc. are to undertaken in conformity to international trade. To address these problems, &B:$& a implemented a scheme for catering :xport 5riented &gri" Mones. ;nder the scheme so far about 222 grading and pack houses )Table "1, has been established so far to answer the need of export markets. !esides these, food parks have also been established in the country with a view to give exposure to farmer - producer. Though @1 food parks have been established in the country, yet their availability is confined to only >/ states. .ii" MARKET INFORMATION SYSTEM MIS": 9armers need information to aid them in planning their operations right from the time they plant these seeds until the produce posses the hands in the market. Market information helps the farmers in comparing the prices offered by different firms in different markets and also in the selection of alternative outlets available. The MI' reduces business risks of farmer " sellers and traders. There are C.@ MI' centers in the country. 8holesale prices of important agricultural commodities from selected markets are collected daily by these centers and are transmitted to 6ead office for further transmission to TD and &I* stations. :lectronic medium has been used for transmission of information in various industries. 6owever, their use in agricultural markets is relatively low. Markets of some 'tates are linked with %ational Information %etwork )%I7"%:T, to provide the speedy and timely dissemination of market information to the growers. ;nder the scheme about ./22agmarknet nodes )Table "?, have been promoted in the country so far. 5ut of these 0> percent have been promoted in the agricultural markets where as remaining are used 0 for monitoring and follow up. The availability of agmarknet nodes per /// 'q. Am of area is not even one. 6owever their availability per /// tones of produce is six. 7oncerted efforts are required to expand the agmarknet nodes in the states of &ssam, !ihar, (harkhand, Manipur, 8est !engal, 5rissa, Bun+ab, ;ttar Bradesh and ;ttaranchal. .iii" RISK MANAGEMENT 1 E TRADING INFRASTRUCTURE: &gricultural commodities experiences wide fluctuations in their prices largely due to monsoon and their seasonality. $ue to these fluctuations farmers faces huge uncertainties. $erivates products like forward, future and options are the risk management tools which can be used to avoid the impact of unexpected price changes in future price movements. 9orward and future contracts enable price discovery. The price discovery function allows important economic decisions to be made as to which commodity produce, how much to sell and what prices, how much to store and for how long. This is also a form of direct marketing and enhances the share of farmer in consumer rupee. Thus has assumes special importance in recent times. 7ommodity future markets in the country have been promoted by establishing various exchanges. &t present their number is >0 only. 6owever, only >/ exchanges are effectively working )Table"=,. 9uture trading in agricultural commodities has also been allowed for @C commodities. 9orward trading has been extended to .0 agricultural commodities only. 6owever the transaction undertaken through these exchanges so far has been minimal but experiencing a rising trend. &ll out efforts are needed to establish more exchanges for enhancing trading in agricultural commodities as well e"trading so as to promote direct marketing of produce.
i2" POST HAR*EST TECHNOLOGY: Bost"harvest technology infrastructure especially for perishables, less perishables and non" perishable commodities is of critical importance to preserve their quantity and quality. & substantial quantity of produce is lost on account of poor post harvest technology and careless harvesting, assembling, preserving, packaging and use of technology for quality control. 'tate &gricultural Marketing !oard, $irectorate of 6orticulture and Bost" 6arvest Technology 7enters established for specific crops by I7&* has initiated the process for promotion of Bost 6arvest Technology in the form of providing of know"how on different aspects to the farmers and orchardists of the country. In some of the 'tates, 'tate &gricultural Marketing !oard offer services to the traders and processors in providing of technical 2/ consultancy, preparation of techno - economic feasibility report, quality control guidance, assessment of packaging necessity of different fruits and advisory services to fruits and vegetables processing units. 2" MARKETING EDUCATION AND TRAINING: There is increasing need to provide market education and training to the farmer - producers, traders, marketing personnel, policy makers etc. on a continuous basis based on regular research studies. These improves know how and decision taking power of the farmers as to when, where and in what form to sell the produce. The $irectorate of Marketing 3 Inspection, 'tate &gricultural Marketing !oard, 'tate Marketing $epartment, &gricultural ;niversity and %ational Institute of &gricultural Marketing are engaged for helping the farmers and market functionaries in these areas. 6owever, the available inputs in these areas are not sufficient to cater to the needs of all the growers and other stakeholder because of varied agro"climatic conditions. 2i" MARKETING INSTITUTIONAL INFRASTRUCTURE: 9ollowing marketing institutions have been created in the country during the last 1/ yearsI I" P34$i5 S'5t#r Mar6'ti+& Or&a+i7ati#+,: )a, 9ood 7orporation of India )97I, )b, 7otton 7orporation of India )77I, )c, (ute 7orporation of India )(7I, )d, 'tate Trading 7orporation )'T7, )e, 7ommodity !oards - Tea, 7offee, 7ardamom, *ubber, Tobacco, 'pices, &reca nut, 6orticultural 7rops, $airy Broducts )%$$!, )f, $irectorate of Marketing and Inspection )$MI, )g, &gricultural Broduce Market 7ommittees )&BM7s, )h, 'tate &gricultural Marketing !oards )'&M!s, )i, 7ouncil of 'tate &gricultural Marketing !oards )75'&M!, )+, 7ommission for &gricultural 7osts and Brices )7&7B, )k, 7ommodities :xport 7ouncils )l, &gricultural and Brocessed Broducts :xport $evelopment &uthority )&B:$&, II" C##8'rati.' Mar6'ti+& I+,tit3ti#+, 22 )a, Brimary, 7entral and 'tate level Marketing 'ocieties, ;nions, and 9ederations. )b, 'pecial 7ommodities Marketing 'ocieties )'ugarcane, 7otton, 5ilseeds, Milk etc., )c, Brocessing 'ocieties " 7otton Brocessing and 4inning 'ocieties " 5ilseeds Brocessing 'ocieties " 9ruits and Degetables Breservation 'ocieties " 'ugarcane 7rushing 'ocieties " Milk Brocessing and 7hilling 'ocietiesH etc. )d, %ational &gricultural 7ooperative Marketing 9ederation )%&9:$, )e, %ational 7ooperative $evelopment 7orporation )%7$7, )f, Tribal 7ooperative Marketing 9ederation )T*I9:$, CONCLUSION 1 SUGGESTIONS: It is not our intention to repeat the conclusions already drawn rather pinpoint those, which deserve special intention. There is a strong need for )i, 7reation of necessary infrastructural facilities in all the r'&3$at'% 9ar6't, of the country. )ii, *egulation of all primary and secondary wholesale markets to minimize the variation in their spread. )iii,$evelop the periodic<rural markets with minimum necessary infrastructural facilities as these are the main contact points for sale of agricultural produce by the small size farm operators. O+ ,t#ra&' )r#+t also there is need for )i, 7onstruction of more scientific storage structures especially in rural areas for protection of produced agricultural output. )ii, Brivate sector involvement is necessary for creation of more storage structures and cold stores as it is highly capital intensive marketing infrastructure. 8ith the liberalization and favourable trade environment in the country, *akesh Mohan 7ommittee estimates that goods and passenger traffic are likely to grow more than >.? and >.@ times between the years 200> - >/// and the existing road net work is in no way geared up for this production boom )$evi Brasad, 2001,. &s such there is an urgent need to ,8''% 38 th' :#r6 #) a$$ :'ath'r;,3r)a5'% r#a%,/ %#34$' $a+' r#a% a+% ra8i% expansion of transportation system in the various 'tates. !esides this railway lines have to be extended to remote areas too. It is also suggested that )i, The existing processing facilities for rice milling, flour milling, pulses milling, oil extraction, cotton ginning and sugarcane milling are inadequate and need to be augmented and modernized 2> to meet the growing demand for quality products in domestic as well as for export markets. )ii,The processing facilities also need to be augmented for processing the perishable products to expand their demand in domestic as well as in export market in view of increase in their production in future. )iii,There is need for maintenance of sanitary and phytosanitary standards both for domestic market and external trade. Aeeping in view the globalization &ra%i+& ha, t# 4' ,tr'+&th'+'% on war footing basis. It is suggested that )2, 4rading units should be promoted at the village level with the help of private sector participation. )>, There is need for expansion of network of 'tate &gmark laboratories at all district headquarters and in important markets of the country to ensure the availability of 'tate 4rading laboratories to the consumers of all areas.)., The 4rading standards for the remaining 7ommodities should also be formulated. )C, 7ompulsory grading and quality control be introduced for the total trade so as to reduce further chances of adulteration. The necessary infrastructural facilities for this are created by the 7entral and 'tate 4overnments to prevent health hazards. )@, 7onsumers and traders should be educated about the advantages of &gmark grading by adoption of different publicity measures. The graded products should be made popular among masses. )1, 'ince the grading facilities at producers level are nearly non existence it will be worthwhile if 'tate $irectorate of Marketing in collaboration with %ational Institute of &gricultural Marketing undertake detailed techno economic feasibility studies. )?, It is also suggested that 4overnment should go for compulsory grading at producers level. The 'tate 4overnment should expand administrative facilities in the markets to make the grading of agricultural commodities popular at the producers level. )=, Bresently there exists wide spectrum of 4rade 'tandards for agricultural commodities adopted by different organizations as 97I, %&9:$, and 'tate 7ooperative Marketing 9ederations, 7ivil supplies $epartment, 7entral and 'tate 8arehousing corporations. This creates confusion among the farmer - sellers and consumers. To avoid this it is suggested that &gmark standards formulated for commercial grading by $irectorate of Marketing 3 Inspection should be adopted by all these organizations. )0, 7onsumers 'ervice 7enters equipped with consumer service laboratories be set up in the 'tates to facilitate the consumers to lodge complaints and re"dressal of their grievances in respect of &gmark products. The samples brought by the consumers at these centers should be quickly got analyses for appropriate action by the competent authorities. )2/, The Training 7enter for 4rading be established in the various 'tates for imparting special training to persons 2. interested in 4rading of 'pecial commodities produced in different area of India. There is need to 8r#9#t' 8r#8'r 8a56a&i+& a)t'r &ra%i+& so that further chances of adulteration or temptation may not be there. *isk management and e"trading have to be popularizing by educating various stakeholders. 9or this a separate resource center should be established in %ational Institute of &gricultural Marketing at the earliest. &s all the above mentioned infrastructural facilities are crucial and requires large investment, it is suggested that #))'ri+& i+5'+ti.', a+% 5r'ati+& '+a4$i+& 5#+%iti#+, :#3$% i+5r'a,' 8ri.at' ,'5t#r 8arti5i8ati#+ a+% '+ha+5' th' a.ai$a4i$it< #) a&ri53$t3ra$ 9ar6'ti+& i+)ra,tr35t3r' i+ th' 5#3+tr<. 2C REFERENCES . 4overnment of India )>//1,, *eport of the 8orking 4roup on 'trengthening of &gricultural Infrastructure, 8arehousing, *ural 4odowns, Markets etc. for FI 9ive Gear Blan, Banning 7ommission, 4ovt. of India, %ew $elhi. 4overnment of India );ndated,, FI Blan &pproach Baper, Blanning 7ommission, %ew $elhi. 4overnment of India )>//0, L*eport on &gmark 4rading 'tatisticsN - $irectorate of Marketing 3 Inspection, Ministry of &griculture, 9aridabad. 4overnment of India, )>//2, L*eport of :xpert 7ommittee on 'trengthening and $evelopment of &gricultural MarketingN, Ministry of &griculture 3 7ooperation, %ew $elhi. (airath, M. '. )2001,H L&gro Brocessing and Infrastructure $evelopment in 6illy &reaI & 7ase of 9ruit and Degetable BrocessingN, Indian (ournal of &gricultural Marketing, Dol F )>,, &pril - (une, BB >="C? (airath, M. '. )>///,, L &gricultural Marketing Infrastructure in &rid IndiaN.&gricultural 'ituation in India, Dol %o. (une, BB 2>?"2.? (airath, M. '. )>//C,, L &gricultural Marketing Infrastructure in IndiaN. Indian (ournal of &gricultural Marketing, 7onference issue >//C Aahlon, &. '. and M.D. 4eorgeH)200@, L Market Infrastructure and &gricultural :xports. Baper presented in a %ational seminar at 67M, *IB&, (aipur. *angi, B.'. and M.'. 'idhuH )2001, LInfrastructure for :xport of &gro" BroductsI & 7ase 'tudyN, Indian (ournal of &gricultural Marketing Dol %o. F )>,, &pril - (une, BB 2.."2.0 'ingh 'ukh BalH )2001, LMarketing Infrastructure and &gro"Brocessing $evelopmentI & 7ase study of 4u+aratN, Indian (ournal of &gricultural Marketing, Dol %o.2/)>,, &pril " (une, BB 2"0 2@ Ta4$';!: A&ri53$t3ra$ Pr#%35' Mar6't, i+ I+%ia (==>;!=" Sr No Name of the State/UT Area in Sq. Kms. Total Populati on Total Regulate d Markets Area coered / Market !Sq. 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(*&, #*#*** $* Sikkim %'), '.'& # %'), )' &('()* $( Tamil Nadu #*''&+ ,.$# $)$ ((&.( #,&& $#$%'+ $& Tripura #'(+, '.*$ $# ()).** #** #&#),' $, Uttar Pradesh $*+&,, #,.,# ,'& *)(.*$ *'*, $%((,+ $% Uttarakhand &&+(& '.+& &+ ),$.+( %## #(,#)) $+ 8est -engal ++%&$ +.'$ ,+% #$).#) ##*' ##,%%' $) A3N 9slands +$() '.'( ' ' #'& ' *' 4handigarh ##( '.') # ##( # )'')#( *# : 3 N 1aeli ()# '.'$ ' ' , ' *$ :aman and :iu ##$ '.'$ ' ' # ' ** :elhi #(+* #.*+ $# %'.,$ #) ,&,**$ *( ;akshd<eep *$ '.'# ' ' ' ' *& Puducherr2 ()$ '.#' ) &(.,% , #'+$'* T6TA;S *$+%$( ' #'$.%' %#&% $+)+$., % (#+*, &+&'*+& 'ourceI www.agmarknet.nic.in 21 Ta4$' ( C#+tra5t Far9i+& Arra+&'9'+t i+ I+%ia State Crop Company/ Corporate Karnataka Ashwagandha Himalaya Health Care Ltd. Dhavana Mysore S.N.C. Oil Company Marigold & Capria hilies A!" Nat#ral $rod#ts Ltd. Cole#s Nat#ral %emedies $rivate Ltd. &herkins '( $vt. Companies) Mediinal $lants Sami La*s Limited+ ,angalore Maharashtra Soy*ean "inna Oils and Chemials Several -r#its+ vegeta*les+ ereals+ spies and p#lses .on /0hange /nviro 1arms Ltd. 2.//1L3 $otato M4s Mahindra S#la*h S#garane+ Orange Cooperative Soieties Madhya $radesh 5heat+ Mai6e and Soy*ean Cargil .ndia Ltd. Several -r#its+ vegeta*les+ ereals+ spies and p#lses .on /0hange /nviro 1arms Ltd. 2.//1L3 Soya*ean ."C7.,D Soya*ean M4s Mahindra S#la*h &arli and 5hite onion M4s &arlio .nd#stries Limited. $#n8a* "omato and Chilly Ni88er Agro 1oods Ltd. ,arley 9nited ,reweries Ltd. ,asmati+ Mai6e Satnam overseas S#kh8it Starh 2Mahindra Sh#*hla*h Servies Ltd.3 ,asmati Satnam Overseas+ DD .ntl. .norp.+ Amira 1oods .ndia Ltd. 2/sorts Ltd. And &rain teh3 ,asmati+ &ro#ndn#t+ $otato and "omato $epsiCo .ndia Ltd. &reen vegeta*les and e0oti vegeta*les $#n8a* Agro 1oods $ark Limited+ a 8oint vent#re o- $#n8a* Agro /0port Corporation and .DMA+ a orporate *ody. "amil Nad# Cotton S#per Spinning Mills Mai6e ,h#vi Care $vt. Ltd. $addy ,h#vi Care $vt. Ltd. Cotton Appahe Cotton Company Mar#nd# Koorkan 2"amil3 2Mediinal $lant3 2Cole#s 7 2? 1orskholii3 Mai6e+ &herkins M4s Mahindra S#la*h Chhattisgarh Sa-ed M#sli M4s Larson & "#r*o "omato ,/C Co. 9ttaranhal &#ar &#m M4s Mahindra S#la*h Haryana "#rmeri+ Mentha+ S#n-lower+ 5hite M#sli HA1/D Andhra $radesh