Page 302 - DMGT509_RURAL MARKETING

Unit 15: Marketing of Agricultural Produce

Mainstreaming gender concerns in agriculture will receive particular attention. Appropriate Notes
structural, functional and institutional measures will be initiated to empower women and
build their capabilities and improve their access to inputs, technology and other farming
resources.
Adequate and timely supply of quality inputs such as seeds, fertilizers, plant protection
chemicals, bio-pesticides, agricultural machinery and credit at reasonable rates to farmers
will be the endeavor of the Government. Soil testing and quality testing of fertilizers and
seeds will be ensured and supply of spurious inputs will be checked. Balanced and optimum
use of fertilizers will be promoted together with use of organic manures & bio-fertilizers
to optimize the efficiency of nutrient use.
Development, production and distribution of improved varieties of seeds and planting
materials and strengthening and expansion of seed and plant certification system with
private sector participation will receive a high priority. A National Seed Grid will be
established to ensure supply of seeds especially to areas affected by natural calamities.
The National Seeds Corporation (NSC) and State Farms Corporation of India (SFCI) will
be restructured for efficient utilization of investment and manpower.
Protection to plant varieties through a sui generis legislation, will be granted to encourage
research and breeding of new varieties particularly in the private sector in line with
India’s obligations under TRIPS Agreement. The farmers will, however, be allowed their
traditional rights to save, use, exchange, share and sell their farm saved seeds except as
branded seeds of protected varieties for commercial purpose. The interests of the researchers
will also be safeguarded in carrying out research on proprietary varieties to develop new
varieties.
Integrated pest management and use of biotic agents in order to minimize the indiscriminate
and injudicious use of chemical pesticides will be the cardinal principle covering plant
protection. Selective and eco-friendly farm mechanization through appropriate technology
will be promoted, with special reference to rain fed farming to reduce arduous work and
to make agriculture efficient and competitive as also to increase crop productivity.
The Government will endeavour to create a favourable economic environment for
increasing capital formation and farmer’s own investments, by removal of distortions in
the incentive regime for agriculture, improving the terms of trade with manufacturing
sectors and bringing about external and domestic market reforms, backed by rationalization
of domestic tax structure. It will seek to bestow on the agriculture sector, in as many
respects as possible, benefits similar to those obtained in the manufacturing sector, such as
easy availability of credit and other inputs, and infrastructure facilities for development
of agri-business industries and development of effective delivery systems and freeing
movement of agro produce.

Consequent upon dismantling of Quantitative Restrictions on imports as per WTO
Agreement on Agriculture, commodity-wise strategies and arrangements for protecting
the grower from adverse impact of undue price fluctuations in world markets and for
promoting exports will be formulated. Apart from price competition, other aspects of
marketing such as quality, choice, health and bio-safety will be promoted. Exports of
horticultural produce and marine products will receive particular emphasis. A two-fold
long term strategy of diversification of agricultural produce and value addition enabling
the production system to respond to external environment and creating export demand
for the commodities produced in the country will be evolved with a view to providing the
farmers incremental income from export earnings. A favourable economic environment
and supportive public management system will be created for promotion of agricultural
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