NAFED MSP PROCUREMENT – FACTS PUBLIC SHOULD KNOW NAFED MSP Procurement: NAFED, an independent public sector organization is entrusted with the responsibility of supporting various states through market intervention program of buying produce directly from farmers    with minimum support price (MSP) or MSP plush state declared addl bonus and store in the godowns.   NAFED engaged StarAgri as their warehouse partners and local procurement is entrusted to APMCs and other local channels through respective State Markfeds or NeML. Certification of crop extent, giving sale permits to farmers etc is handled by Markfeds in coordination with revenue and agriculture departments. Genuine farmers had night mare crossing these hurdles, where as traders and political personalities under the cover of farmer, could reach NAFED godowns directly bypassing the systems and controls. Farmers’ Situation: In case of poor farmers, they have to make produce   lots in market...

AGRICULTURE PRODUCE MARKETING – NEED FOR  INNOVATIONS Role of existing APMCs: APMCs are started with a purpose of protecting farmers from distress sale at farm gate to money lenders and traders. Direct sale of Agri produce by farmers at village to any intermediaries, end users is banned and farmers are supposed to bring produce to APMC markets and sell in auction method under the supervision of APMC.   Certain states relaxed the norms and allowed few wholesalers like ITC are allowed to conduct direct purchases under e-choupal platform. Also direct sales to super markets , more trade friendly norms are being initiated in few states. Karnataka is more advanced state as far as APMC reforms are concerned followed by Maharashtra, MP, AP, UP.  IT enabled auction platform was implemented in few mandis through NCDEX and its named as “mandi modernisation program”. Government of India dec...

AAP KA KHANA – KISAN KA BHAROSA (ONE STOP SOLUTION FOR HEALTHY FOOD BASKET) Introduction: With the threat of plastic rice, artificial milk and milk products, adulterated oils etc being in circulation, the need for authentic food supply chain with quality assurance, localised taste and conventional processing/preparations is being felt. This concept of local sourcing, value addition and efficient supply chain with robust technology interface has huge potential, provided the concept is implemented more out of passion coupled with genuine interest to serve the producer & end user. Once things are positioned properly it has huge potential to scale it up and makes good economic sense too.  This will eliminate many layers in supply chain, thereby give economic opportunities to farmers and also create employment to rural poor particularly women. The localized rural enterprises such as conventional rice /dhal mills, atta girnis, oil extraction units, local dairies, conven...