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Agriculture & Food Management

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Home/Indian Economy/Agriculture & Food Management/Page 31

Mains Answer Writing Latest Questions

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TeamSupreme
Asked: February 19, 2025In:
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Roadmap for Answer Writing Introduction Briefly introduce the importance of irrigation in India and its role in agriculture. Mention the percentage of net sown area dependent on irrigation. Major Challenges Faced by the Indian Irrigation System Groundwater Exploitation: Discuss the over-extraction of groundwater and its ...

upsc: irrigation
  1. Team
    Team Supreme

    Model Answer Introduction India's irrigation system faces several significant challenges that hinder agricultural productivity and water management. Major Challenges Faced by the Indian Irrigation System Dependence on Unpredictable Monsoon Patterns: The Indian irrigation system heavily relies on monRead more

    Model Answer

    Introduction

    India’s irrigation system faces several significant challenges that hinder agricultural productivity and water management.

    Major Challenges Faced by the Indian Irrigation System

    1. Dependence on Unpredictable Monsoon Patterns: The Indian irrigation system heavily relies on monsoon rains, which are often erratic and delayed. Regions like Marathwada and Vidarbha in Maharashtra frequently experience droughts, leading to crop failures and increased farmer distress .
    2. Deterioration of Irrigation Infrastructure: Many irrigation systems are outdated and poorly maintained, resulting in inefficiencies and significant water wastage. Silted dams and leaking canals reduce water availability at the farm level .
    3. Subsidized Electricity: The provision of cheap or free electricity for agricultural pumping encourages over-extraction of groundwater, particularly in states like Punjab and Haryana, leading to severe depletion of aquifers.
    4. High Costs of Modern Irrigation Systems: While modern irrigation techniques like drip and sprinkler systems are effective in conserving water, their high initial costs make them inaccessible for small and marginal farmers.
    5. Fragmented Policy Implementation: The lack of coordination among various levels of government leads to inefficiencies in implementing irrigation policies, such as the Pradhan Mantri Krishi Sinchayee Yojana (PMKSY).
    6. Water Pollution: The overuse of fertilizers and pesticides has contaminated water bodies, making them unsuitable for irrigation, particularly in regions reliant on rivers.
    7. Climate Change: Increasingly frequent extreme weather events, such as floods and droughts, disrupt traditional irrigation practices and exacerbate water scarcity.

    Measures Taken by the Government for Efficient Irrigation Management

    1. Pradhan Mantri Krishi Sinchayee Yojana (PMKSY): Launched in 2015, this scheme aims to improve irrigation infrastructure and promote micro-irrigation to ensure efficient water use.
    2. Command Area Development and Water Management: This program enhances the utilization of irrigation potential through better management practices in command areas.
    3. National Water Policy Revision: The revised policy emphasizes sustainable water management and the adoption of water-saving technologies.
    4. Participatory Irrigation Management (PIM): This initiative encourages the involvement of Water User Associations in managing irrigation systems, leading to better local water management.
    5. Adoption of Advanced Technologies: The government promotes the use of remote sensing and GIS to monitor irrigation projects and improve water use efficiency.
    6. International Collaborations: India collaborates with countries like Israel to adopt modern irrigation techniques that optimize water usage.

    Conclusion

    Addressing the challenges faced by the Indian irrigation system through effective government measures is crucial for sustainable agricultural productivity and water security.

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Gita Sharma
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Gita SharmaBegginer
Asked: June 26, 2024In:
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Crop losses as a result of post-harvest value chain inefficiencies have a severe negative influence on small and marginal farmers’ means of subsistence. Talk about it in relation to India. What actions has the government done to resolve these issues? ...

upsc: storage transport & marketing in agriculture
  1. Bhairavi Gauatam
    Bhairavi Gauatam Begginer

    The post-harvest value chain includes harvesting and primary processing; storage and crop protection; processing; and market linkage. As per NITI Ayog, the estimated post-harvest losses in foodgrains hovers around 10%, semi-perishables and commodities like milk, fish, meat, eggs, fruits, and vegetabRead more

    The post-harvest value chain includes harvesting and primary processing; storage and crop protection; processing; and market linkage. As per NITI Ayog, the estimated post-harvest losses in foodgrains hovers around 10%, semi-perishables and commodities like milk, fish, meat, eggs, fruits, and vegetables between 10 to 20%, and the horticultural produce at around 16%. Inefficiencies in the post-harvest value chain

    • Inadequate harvesting and primary processing: Lack of awareness, limited finance, and weak markets for primary processed produce restrict small and marginal farmers from adopting primary processing such as threshing, sorting, and grading.
    • Lack of storage and crop protection: Small and marginal farmers lack access to suitable on-farm and near-farm storage facilities and packaging materials. Whereas, middlemen invest very little in quality storage and packaging leading to post-harvest losses.
    • Lack of near-farm processing facilities: Due to a lack of near-farm processing infrastructure, a considerable quantity of farm produce is lost before it reaches distant processing units through a chain of middlemen.
    • Lack of market information: Due to lack of market information, crop selection is based on prevailing prices instead of projected market demand, resulting in oversupply.

    Impact on the livelihood of small and marginal farmers :

    • Income loss: Crop losses due to inadequate primary processing lead to income loss for farmers.
    • Distress sale: Lack of near-farm storage facilities forces farmers to make distress sale thus affecting their profit margins.
    • Lack of value addition: The absence of near-farm processing facilities leads to farmers earning lower incomes, as the benefits of value addition mostly accrue to middlemen and large private sector firms.
    • Low bargaining power: Poor linkage with markets, limits selling options to mandis and local middlemen resulting in low bargaining power.

    Steps Taken by the Government Few major schemes have been introduced by the government to address the problem of losses in the post-harvest value chain and subsequently provide better remuneration to small and marginal farmers for their produce.

    • PM Kisan SAMPADA Yojana: It will result in the creation of modern infrastructure with efficient supply chain management from farm gate to retail outlet. In addition to the growth of the food processing sector, it would also help in providing better returns to farmers.
    • Production Linked Incentive Scheme for Food Processing Industry (PLISFPI): It aims to support food manufacturing companies to expand their processing capacity and branding abroad to incentivize emergence of strong Indian brands. This in turn will help in ensuring remunerative prices of farm produce and higher income to farmers.
    • Private Entrepreneurs Guarantee Scheme: This scheme aims at the construction of storage godowns in Public Private Partnership (PPP) mode. Out of a sanctioned capacity of 152.74 LMT under the PEG scheme, a storage capacity of 144.67 LMT has been completed as of March 2022.
    • Viability Gap Funding Scheme: Capital investment in the creation of modern storage capacity has been made eligible for the Viability Gap Funding scheme of the Finance Ministry. Cold chain and post-harvest storage have been recognized as an infrastructure sub-sector.

    Increasing activity in agribusiness from the government, private sector, and civil society organizations is translating into a wide range of interventions towards post-harvest loss reduction and improvement in the livelihoods of small and marginal farmers. Further, effective farmer engagement through models like Farmer Producer Organizations, Self Help Groups, etc. is critical for the success of interventions to address post-harvest losses.

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Dolly Mehara
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Dolly MeharaLearner
Asked: June 26, 2024In:
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The milk industry’s success can be applied to address the ongoing issues with the sourcing and promotion of pulses and grains in India. Talk about it. (Answer in 250 words)

upsc: storage transport & marketing in agriculture
  1. Meera Singh
    Meera Singh Begginer

    In India, cereals and pulses are primarily procured by agriculture marketing societies like FCI and NAFED, whereas milk procurement is done through cooperative societies like AMUL. Procurement by cooperative societies gains both stakeholders' trust as well as public confidence, while procurement undRead more

    In India, cereals and pulses are primarily procured by agriculture marketing societies like FCI and NAFED, whereas milk procurement is done through cooperative societies like AMUL. Procurement by cooperative societies gains both stakeholders’ trust as well as public confidence, while procurement undertaken by agriculture marketing societies is often mired in controversy due to various problems.

    Issues in the procurement and marketing of cereals and pulses in India:

    • Quality grading: The absence of grading or sorting machines in most of the procurement centers leads to the absence of positive incentives for better quality.
    • Malpractices in awarding MSP: Due to the absence of grading and encouraging collusion, commodities not qualified for FAQ (fair average quality) are also getting minimum support price (MSP) for which it is otherwise ineligible.
    • Episodic procurement: Cereals and pulses procurement happens only once in the Rabi and Kharif seasons, which leaves out farmers who harvest off-season.
    • Absence of forward and backward linkages: It impacts the marketing capacity of farmers. They have to sell to local buyers, who don’t guarantee the minimum price.
    • Delay in payments: FCI and the National Agricultural Cooperative Marketing Federation of India (NAFED) often face a cash crunch as they are dependent on budget allocations.

    Model of the milk sector in dealing with issues related to cereals and pulses procurement and marketing in India:

    • Transparency: Quality checking through machinery like a lactometer and a centrifuge machine in the milk sector helps farmers to be immune from fraud related to the grading of stock.
    • Ease of doing business: Minimal or no restrictions on quantity to sell. It helps small and marginal farmers to sell their products along with the large farmers who generally have greater bargaining power.
    • Round-the-year procurement: Like milk collection undertaken every day, allowing agriculture marketing societies to procure cereals and pulses 365 days a year can help those farmers who want to sell according to the market dynamics.
    • Dedicated service: Like milk sector co-operatives, agriculture marketing societies need to devote time, energy, and domain expertise to ensure both forward and backward linkages for a smooth marketing mechanism.
    • Regular payments: The milk sector is known for daily or weekly payments, which ensure income security for dairy farmers. Such liquidity flow can be adopted by financially empowering agriculture marketing societies as it will build trust among farmers and encourage them to sell produce to the agriculture marketing societies.
    • Creating equity fund: The district milk union retains 25 to 50 paise per liter from the payments to dairy farmers to consolidate funds for building their own infrastructure and for other expenses. Such an independent source of income would make agriculture marketing societies less dependent on governments.

    The newly established Ministry of Cooperation in coordination with the Ministry of Agriculture & Farmers Welfare can adopt the best practices of the milk sector from the states of Gujarat and Maharashtra into the agriculture procurement and marketing societies. Agri Infra Fund as well as the Rural Infrastructure Development Fund (RIDF) of NABARD can be used to strengthen the cereals and pulses procurement and marketing mechanism in India.

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Nikhil Tiwari
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Nikhil TiwariBegginer
Asked: July 13, 2024In:
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What is the concept of account-based marketing and its significance in B2B marketing strategies?

  1. Yash Kashyap
    Yash Kashyap Begginer

    Marketing is all about introducing your product or service to the proper customers. A smart marketing strategy can help you accomplish this in a unique and effective manner. Here is a straightforward method to marketing strategy: Understand Your Customers The first step is to thoroughly grasp your iRead more

    Marketing is all about introducing your product or service to the proper customers. A smart marketing strategy can help you accomplish this in a unique and effective manner. Here is a straightforward method to marketing strategy:

    Understand Your Customers

    The first step is to thoroughly grasp your intended audience. Who are they? What are their needs, concerns, and preferences? Gather as much information as possible about your clients in order to establish a comprehensive consumer profile.

    Identify Your Unique Selling Proposition (USP)

    What distinguishes your product or service and provides value to your customers? Determine your USP and use it to set yourself out from the competitors.

    Develop a Targeted Marketing Mix

    The marketing mix is made up of 4 components: product, price, place, and promotion. Think about each element and how they might work together to reach and engage your target audience.

    Use Digital Channels

    In today’s digital age, a strong online presence is essential. Use social media, email marketing, and other digital avenues to communicate with customers and promote your products.

    Measure and Optimize

    Continuously monitor the effectiveness of your marketing activities and make changes as needed. This will allow you to fine-tune your plan and achieve the best outcomes possible.

    By taking this easy method, you can design a one-of-a-kind and effective marketing strategy that will help you connect with your target clients and reach your business objectives.

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[Deleted User]
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Poll
[Deleted User]
Asked: July 14, 2024In:
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Do you agree or disagree that Digital marketing is essential for successful business?

poll
  1. Shree dey
    Shree dey Begginer

    Digital marketing is not just advantageous; it is essential for modern organizations seeking to flourish in today's competitive environment. Here's why. You reach people where they spend their time: In an era where almost everyone is connected online, digital marketing enables you to meet potentialRead more

    Digital marketing is not just advantageous; it is essential for modern organizations seeking to flourish in today’s competitive environment. Here’s why.

    1. You reach people where they spend their time: In an era where almost everyone is connected online, digital marketing enables you to meet potential clients on the platforms they use the most. Whether it’s social media, search engines, or email, you can connect with your audience in ways that old techniques simply cannot.
    2. Your Competitors Are Already Doing It: If your competitors are already using digital marketing tactics to attract clients and expand their businesses, not doing so puts you at a huge disadvantage. It’s about remaining relevant and competitive in a digitally driven world.
    3. You Can Compete with Larger Corporations: Digital marketing levels the playing field, allowing small enterprises to compete effectively with larger organizations. With the appropriate methods and targeting, you can capture your desired audience’s attention and promote meaningful connection without spending a lot of money.
    4. You Can Target Your Ideal Audience: Unlike traditional marketing, digital platforms allow for advanced targeting based on demographics, interests, habits, and other factors. This precision targeting guarantees that your marketing efforts reach the intended audience, increasing your chances of conversion.
    5. You Can Choose from a Variety of Strategies: Digital marketing offers a wide range of options, including search engine optimization (SEO), pay-per-click (PPC) advertising, content marketing, social media marketing, and email campaigns. This adaptability enables you to modify your strategy to your business objectives and audience preferences.
    6. You may Increase Brand Awareness: By using regular and targeted digital marketing efforts, you may greatly increase brand awareness among your target demographic. Digital platforms provide many touchpoints to enhance your brand’s presence, including engaging social media content, insightful blog entries, and eye-catching adverts.
    7. You Can Monitor and Optimize Your Campaigns for Better Results: One of the primary benefits of digital marketing is the ability to analyze and measure campaign effectiveness in real time. Analytics solutions provide vital insights into how your audience interacts with your material, allowing you to make data-driven decisions and constantly adapt your strategy to get better results.
    8. You Get an Impressive Return on Investment (ROI): When compared to traditional marketing tactics, digital marketing initiatives can generate a significant ROI. Businesses can obtain excellent returns on their marketing investments by using accurate targeting, cheaper cost-per-impression, and conversion tracking.

    In essence, digital marketing enables firms to connect genuinely with their audiences, drive meaningful engagement, and accomplish actual business outcomes in today’s dynamic digital marketplace. Embracing digital methods is not just advantageous—it is crucial for staying competitive and prospering in the digital age.

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Aaditya Kapoor
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Aaditya KapoorBegginer
Asked: July 26, 2024In:
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Examine how farmer-producer organizations (FPOs) and other institutional structures help small and marginal farmers become more integrated into the marketing system. Talk about the difficulties these farmers encounter in accessing organized marketplaces and value chains.

upsc: storage transport & marketing in agriculture
  1. Lakshya Mathur
    Lakshya Mathur Begginer

    Small and marginal farmers in India face several challenges in accessing organized markets and value chains. Understanding these challenges and the role of farmer producer organizations (FPOs) and other institutional arrangements in integrating these farmers is crucial. Challenges faced by small andRead more

    Small and marginal farmers in India face several challenges in accessing organized markets and value chains. Understanding these challenges and the role of farmer producer organizations (FPOs) and other institutional arrangements in integrating these farmers is crucial.

    Challenges faced by small and marginal farmers:

    1. Limited access to market information:

    • Small and marginal farmers often lack access to real-time market prices, demand trends, and other critical information, limiting their ability to make informed decisions about production and marketing.

    2. Inadequate bargaining power:

    • Due to their small scale of operations, individual small and marginal farmers have limited bargaining power when negotiating with middlemen, traders, or large buyers.

    3. High transaction costs:

    • The costs associated with transporting, storing, and selling their produce can be disproportionately high for small and marginal farmers, reducing their net returns.

    4. Lack of infrastructure and storage facilities:

    • Inadequate transportation, storage, and processing infrastructure in rural areas make it difficult for small and marginal farmers to access distant markets and preserve the quality of their produce.

    5. Restricted access to credit and financial services:

    • Small and marginal farmers often face challenges in accessing formal credit, insurance, and other financial services, limiting their ability to invest in productivity-enhancing inputs and technologies.

    Role of Farmer Producer Organizations (FPOs) and other institutional arrangements:

    1. Aggregation and collective bargaining power:

    • FPOs enable small and marginal farmers to pool their resources and produce, allowing them to achieve economies of scale, access larger markets, and improve their bargaining power.

    2. Improved access to inputs and services:

    • FPOs can facilitate access to quality inputs, extension services, and technologies, helping small and marginal farmers improve their productivity and production practices.

    3. Enhanced market linkages:

    • FPOs can establish direct linkages with processors, retailers, and exporters, enabling small and marginal farmers to access organized markets and value chains.

    4. Capacity building and training:

    • FPOs can provide training and capacity-building support to their member farmers, helping them improve their farming practices, post-harvest handling, and marketing skills.

    5. Access to financial services:

    • FPOs can help small and marginal farmers access credit, insurance, and other financial services by acting as an intermediary or by leveraging their collective strength.

    6. Institutional arrangements for market integration:

    • In addition to FPOs, other institutional arrangements, such as contract farming, e-trading platforms, and farmer-friendly policies, can also play a crucial role in integrating small and marginal farmers into the marketing system.

    The challenges faced by small and marginal farmers in accessing organized markets and value chains are multifaceted. However, the emergence of FPOs and other institutional arrangements has shown promising results in addressing these challenges and integrating these farmers into the marketing system. Continued support and investment in strengthening these institutional mechanisms, along with complementary infrastructure development and policy interventions, will be critical to ensure the long-term prosperity and inclusion of small and marginal farmers in the agricultural value chain.

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Aaditya Kapoor
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Aaditya KapoorBegginer
Asked: July 26, 2024In:
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Examine how smart technologies, including blockchain, the Internet of Things (IoT), and artificial intelligence, might enhance agricultural supply chains’ transparency, efficiency, and traceability. Also, talk about the difficulties in implementing these innovations on a larger scale.

transport & marketing in agricultureupsc: storage
  1. Lakshya Mathur
    Lakshya Mathur Begginer

    Smart technologies, such as blockchain, Internet of Things (IoT), and artificial intelligence (AI), have significant potential in improving the traceability, efficiency, and transparency of agricultural supply chains. However, scaling up these innovations comes with its own set of challenges. 1. BloRead more

    Smart technologies, such as blockchain, Internet of Things (IoT), and artificial intelligence (AI), have significant potential in improving the traceability, efficiency, and transparency of agricultural supply chains. However, scaling up these innovations comes with its own set of challenges.

    1. Blockchain Technology:

    Potential:

    • Blockchain can enhance traceability by creating a secure, decentralized, and transparent record of transactions along the supply chain.
    • It can help verify the authenticity of agricultural products, improve food safety, and enable better supply chain management.
    • Blockchain-based smart contracts can automate processes, reduce intermediaries, and ensure timely payments to farmers.

    Challenges:

    • Lack of widespread adoption and integration across the supply chain stakeholders.
    • Technological literacy and access barriers for small and marginal farmers.
      Scalability and interoperability issues, particularly in managing large volumes of data.
    • Regulatory uncertainties and the need for standardization across the industry.

    2. Internet of Things (IoT):

    Potential:

    • IoT sensors can provide real-time data on various aspects of the supply chain, such as weather conditions, soil moisture, crop health, and logistics.
    • This data can be used to optimize agricultural practices, reduce waste, and improve supply chain coordination.
    • IoT-enabled traceability can enhance transparency and help track the provenance of agricultural products.

    Challenges:

    • High initial investment costs for IoT infrastructure, especially for small and marginal farmers.
    • Limited connectivity and internet access in remote rural areas.
      Interoperability issues among different IoT devices and platforms.
    • Concerns around data privacy and security, particularly with the integration of different data sources.

    3. Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Machine Learning (ML):

    Potential:

    • AI and ML algorithms can analyze vast amounts of data from various sources, such as weather patterns, market trends, and supply chain logistics, to provide predictive insights and optimize decision-making.
    • AI-powered precision agriculture can help farmers make more informed decisions on input application, crop management, and yield forecasting.
    • AI-based demand forecasting and inventory management can improve supply chain efficiency and reduce wastage.

    Challenges:

    • Limited availability of high-quality, labeled datasets to train AI models, particularly in the agricultural sector.
    • Lack of technical expertise and infrastructure to develop and deploy AI-based solutions at the farm and supply chain levels.
    • Concerns around the trust and interpretability of AI-driven decision-making, especially for small and marginal farmers.
    • Integration challenges with existing supply chain systems and processes.

    To scale up these smart technologies in agricultural supply chains, a multi-pronged approach is necessary. This includes:

    • Improving digital infrastructure and internet connectivity in rural areas.
    • Investing in capacity-building and digital literacy programs for farmers and supply chain stakeholders.
    • Fostering public-private partnerships to develop and deploy these technologies in a cost-effective manner.
    • Establishing regulatory frameworks and industry standards to ensure data privacy, security, and interoperability.
    • Incentivizing the adoption of these technologies through policy support and financial assistance.

    By addressing these challenges and scaling up the deployment of smart technologies, the agricultural sector can unlock the full potential of improved traceability, efficiency, and transparency in supply chains, ultimately benefiting farmers, consumers, and the overall agricultural ecosystem.

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Akash Patel
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Akash PatelBegginer
Asked: July 26, 2024In:
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Examine how climate change and extreme weather affect the transportation and storage of agricultural products, and talk about the policies and tactics used by the public and private sectors to strengthen the resilience of the agricultural supply chain.

upsc: storage transport & marketing in agriculture
  1. Dhruv Choudhary
    Dhruv Choudhary Begginer

    Impact of Climate Change and Extreme Weather Events on Agricultural Commodities Climate change and extreme weather events have significant implications for the storage and transportation of agricultural commodities. These impacts affect food security, prices, and the overall efficiency of the agricuRead more

    Impact of Climate Change and Extreme Weather Events on Agricultural Commodities

    Climate change and extreme weather events have significant implications for the storage and transportation of agricultural commodities. These impacts affect food security, prices, and the overall efficiency of the agricultural supply chain. Understanding these effects and exploring strategies to enhance resilience is crucial for maintaining stability in food systems.

    1. Impact on Storage

    a. Increased Risk of Damage

    • Temperature Fluctuations: Rising temperatures and increased humidity can lead to spoilage and pest infestations in stored grains. For instance, the 2019 floods in Assam caused extensive damage to stored rice, leading to losses for farmers and traders.
    • Heatwaves: Prolonged heatwaves, such as the one experienced in India in 2022, can accelerate the deterioration of stored commodities, reducing their shelf life and increasing the risk of fungal and bacterial infections.

    b. Infrastructure Challenges

    • Inadequate Storage Facilities: Many regions still lack modern storage infrastructure, exacerbating the impact of extreme weather. In Uttar Pradesh, inadequate cold storage facilities lead to significant post-harvest losses during periods of high temperature and humidity.

    2. Impact on Transportation

    a. Disruptions in Supply Chains

    • Flooding and Extreme Weather: Extreme weather events such as floods and heavy rains can damage roads and transportation infrastructure, disrupting the movement of agricultural commodities. The 2020 Kerala floods severely impacted transportation networks, leading to shortages of essential supplies.
    • Road Closures and Delays: Unpredictable weather patterns and extreme events can lead to road closures and transportation delays, affecting the timely delivery of agricultural products. For instance, the 2021 cyclones in Odisha caused significant disruptions in the transportation of agricultural produce.

    b. Increased Costs

    • Higher Transportation Costs: Extreme weather conditions can increase the cost of transportation due to damage repairs and operational disruptions. For example, the 2018 Kerala floods resulted in increased transportation costs due to damaged roads and infrastructure.

    Strategies to Enhance Resilience

    1. Government Initiatives

    a. Infrastructure Development

    • Cold Storage Facilities: The government has been investing in the development of cold storage and warehousing infrastructure to protect perishable goods. The Pradhan Mantri Krishi Sinchai Yojana (PMKSY) includes provisions for improving storage facilities and reducing post-harvest losses.
    • Road and Transport Infrastructure: Programs such as the Bharatmala Pariyojana aim to enhance road infrastructure, making transportation of agricultural commodities more resilient to extreme weather events.

    b. Disaster Management and Response

    • Early Warning Systems: The Indian Meteorological Department (IMD) has developed advanced early warning systems for extreme weather events, providing farmers and transporters with timely information to prepare and respond effectively.
    • National Disaster Management Plan: The government’s National Disaster Management Plan (NDMP) includes strategies for managing the impact of climate change on agriculture, including measures to protect storage and transportation infrastructure.

    c. Crop Insurance and Support

    • Pradhan Mantri Fasal Bima Yojana (PMFBY): This scheme provides insurance coverage for crops affected by extreme weather events, helping farmers recover from losses and maintain agricultural productivity.

    2. Private Sector Strategies

    a. Technological Innovations

    • Smart Storage Solutions: Companies are developing smart storage technologies that use sensors and IoT to monitor and control storage conditions. For example, Agri-FoodTech startups in India are introducing innovative solutions for temperature and humidity control in storage facilities.
    • Logistics Optimization: Private sector companies are investing in logistics technologies such as real-time tracking and route optimization to improve the efficiency and resilience of transportation networks. BigBasket and Amazon India are examples of companies employing technology to enhance supply chain management.

    b. Collaborative Efforts

    • Public-Private Partnerships (PPPs): Collaborations between the government and private sector can enhance infrastructure and resilience. For instance, the Cold Chain Development Project under PPP models aims to improve cold storage and transportation networks in partnership with private players.
    • Industry Associations: Organizations like the Confederation of Indian Industry (CII) and the Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FICCI) are working on initiatives to address the impacts of climate change on agriculture through research, policy advocacy, and collaborative projects.

    3. Community-Based Approaches

    a. Farmer Training and Capacity Building

    • Climate-Smart Agriculture: Training programs on climate-smart agriculture practices help farmers adapt to changing weather patterns and manage storage and transportation challenges. The National Rural Employment Guarantee Scheme (NREGS) incorporates training modules on climate adaptation strategies.
    • Local Storage Solutions: Community-based storage solutions, such as village-level cold storage units, are being promoted to reduce post-harvest losses. The Integrated Cold Chain and Value Addition Infrastructure Scheme supports such initiatives.

    b. Strengthening Local Networks

    • Farmer Cooperatives: Strengthening farmer cooperatives can improve collective storage and transportation solutions. For example, the Amul cooperative model has been successful in enhancing the efficiency of dairy product storage and distribution.

    Conclusion

    Climate change and extreme weather events pose significant challenges to the storage and transportation of agricultural commodities. These challenges affect food security, prices, and supply chain efficiency. Government initiatives, private sector innovations, and community-based approaches play crucial roles in enhancing the resilience of the agricultural supply chain. By investing in infrastructure, adopting technological solutions, and fostering collaboration, India can better manage the impacts of climate change and ensure a more resilient agricultural sector.

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Adheesh Raman
  • 0
Adheesh RamanLearner
Asked: January 7, 2025In:
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Roadmap for Answer Writing 1. Introduction: Briefly define agricultural marketing in India, emphasizing its role in connecting farmers with consumers. Mention that agricultural marketing includes all activities such as storage, transportation, grading, and distribution of agricultural products. 2. Significance of Agricultural Marketing in India: Reduction ...

upsc: storage transport & marketing
  1. Team
    Best Answer
    Team Supreme

    Model Answer Significance of Agricultural Marketing in India Agricultural marketing plays a crucial role in the Indian economy by ensuring the smooth movement of agricultural products from farms to consumers. It encompasses various activities such as assembling, grading, storage, transportation, andRead more

    Model Answer

    Significance of Agricultural Marketing in India

    Agricultural marketing plays a crucial role in the Indian economy by ensuring the smooth movement of agricultural products from farms to consumers. It encompasses various activities such as assembling, grading, storage, transportation, and distribution, impacting both the financial and institutional aspects of agriculture.

    1. Reduction in Post-Harvest Losses: An efficient marketing system minimizes post-harvest losses, which currently account for 5-7% of India’s food production. By improving storage, transportation, and processing, agricultural marketing can help increase the marketable surplus and reduce wastage.
    2. Increase in Farm Income: A well-structured marketing system can improve price discovery, reduce the influence of middlemen, and ensure farmers receive better prices for their produce. This is critical in India, where more than half of the population is dependent on agriculture.
    3. Widening of Markets: Efficient agricultural marketing expands the market reach for farmers, both domestically and internationally, enabling them to access new markets and boost sales.
    4. Growth of Agro-based Industries: A strong marketing system supports the growth of food processing industries, which depend on agriculture for raw materials. However, only about 10% of India’s food production is processed, highlighting the need for growth in this sector.
    5. Adoption of New Technologies: With assured market access and better prices, farmers are more likely to invest in modern agricultural technologies, thus improving overall productivity.

    Government Initiatives to Improve Agricultural Marketing

    1. Integrated Scheme for Agricultural Marketing (ISAM): Launched in 2014, this initiative focuses on providing farmers with access to competitive markets, infrastructure, and better price realization. It includes schemes such as Agricultural Marketing Infrastructure (AMI) and Agribusiness Development.
    2. E-NAM (National Agriculture Market): E-NAM aims to enhance transparency, improve price discovery, and extend farmers’ market reach through a digital platform. It facilitates farmers’ access to a larger number of markets.
    3. Farmer Producer Organizations (FPOs): The government promotes the formation of FPOs to provide better market linkages and ensure sustainable marketing opportunities for farmers.
    4. Food Processing Schemes: Initiatives like Pradhan Mantri Kisan SAMPADA Yojana (PMKSY) and the Production Linked Incentive Scheme (PLIS) support the growth of the food processing sector and the export of Indian food products.

    Conclusion

    The government’s initiatives are transforming the agricultural marketing landscape in India by improving market access, price discovery, and income for farmers. These efforts are expected to create a more efficient and transparent agricultural marketing system, benefiting both producers and consumers.

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Rajashree Shirke
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Rajashree ShirkeLearner
Asked: January 20, 2025In:
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Roadmap for Answer Writing Introduction Introduce the importance of agricultural storage in ensuring food security and reducing wastage. Briefly mention India’s agricultural production and the role of storage in managing surpluses and ensuring quality food distribution. 1. Key Challenges in Agricultural Storage in India Insufficient ...

upsc: storage transport & marketing in agriculture
  1. Team
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    Model Answer Key Challenges in Agricultural Produce Storage in India Insufficient Storage Capacity India’s current food grain storage capacity is 145 million metric tonnes (MMT), which is far less than the total food production of 311 MMT, creating a storage gap of 166 MMT. This shortage limits theRead more

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    Key Challenges in Agricultural Produce Storage in India

    1. Insufficient Storage Capacity
      India’s current food grain storage capacity is 145 million metric tonnes (MMT), which is far less than the total food production of 311 MMT, creating a storage gap of 166 MMT. This shortage limits the ability to store surplus grains, especially during peak production seasons, leading to inefficiencies and losses.
    2. Unscientific Storage Practices
      Many storage facilities lack proper hygiene and infrastructure, resulting in post-harvest losses due to spoilage and infestation. For example, about 10% of the 1,000 lakh metric tonnes of wheat produced annually are lost due to inadequate storage methods. These practices compromise the quality of food grains.
    3. Regional Disparity
      Storage capacity is unevenly distributed across states. While southern states boast a storage capacity close to 90% of their food production, northern states like Uttar Pradesh and Bihar fall short, with storage capacity below 50%. This regional disparity exacerbates food security concerns in areas with inadequate storage.
    4. Inadequate Cold Storage Facilities
      Cold storage is crucial for preserving perishable items like fruits and vegetables, but India faces a shortage in this area. Most existing cold storage is allocated for potatoes, leading to significant post-harvest losses for other crops. This lack of infrastructure affects the overall efficiency of the agricultural supply chain.

    Measures to Address Storage Challenges

    1. Ramp Up Scientific Storage Methods
      India must scale up the use of metal silos, which provide better and more scientific storage options. This will improve the handling and longevity of grains, reducing losses.
    2. Decentralize Storage Infrastructure
      Storage facilities should be decentralized and set up at the village and Panchayat levels. This is particularly beneficial for small farmers who do not have access to large storage units.
    3. Liquidate Excess Stock Efficiently
      Excess agricultural stock should be managed through measures such as exports or selling surplus in open markets. This would reduce pressure on existing storage facilities.
    4. Encourage Private Participation
      Private investment in agricultural storage, including cold storage and warehouses, should be incentivized. Encouraging competition will reduce costs and improve infrastructure availability.

    The government is already implementing measures like the SAMPADA Yojana and Save Grain Campaign to improve storage. The establishment of an Inter-Ministerial Committee for a large grain storage initiative in the cooperative sector further aims to address these gaps

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