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...

ELECTRONIC  MARKETS - GAME CHANGERS IN AGRICULTURE Infrastructure: The physical infrastructure which includes sheds for lots , commission agent’s offices, farmer welfare facilities, roads etc are very well established and reasonably maintained. If market cess is used to create village infrastructure like roads improvement, weighbridges, transport subsidy, rural go downs etc, it will be more useful to farmers and governments will get positive image. Market yard is managed by secretary, Chairman and members (mostly nominated). Wider participation and involvement of farmers, farmer producer companies shall be encouraged. Rythu bandhu scheme with go down facilities linking with banking and insurance is made available as facility to farmers. In practice it is not helping real farmers as the banks are not coming forward willingly to finance and even go downs maintenance and security are not up to mark for obvious reasons. Trade Linkages – Role of Credit: APMCs came ...

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...