Government policies can play a crucial role in supporting small-scale farmers by ensuring their access to markets and resources. Key measures include:

1. Infrastructure Development: Investment in rural infrastructure, such as roads, storage facilities, and cold chains, can reduce post-harvest losses and improve market access. This facilitates the timely transportation of produce, ensuring better prices for farmers.

2. Credit and Insurance Schemes: Providing affordable credit through institutions like NABARD and crop insurance schemes like Pradhan Mantri Fasal Bima Yojana can safeguard farmers against financial risks due to crop failures and market fluctuations.

3. Market Reforms: Policies like the e-NAM (National Agriculture Market) platform can integrate fragmented markets, providing farmers with better price discovery and reducing dependency on middlemen. Additionally, promoting contract farming and farmer-producer organizations (FPOs) can empower farmers with collective bargaining power.

4. Subsidies and Support: Direct benefit transfers (DBTs) and subsidies for seeds, fertilizers, and equipment can reduce input costs, making farming more viable for small-scale farmers.

5. Extension Services and Training: Providing training and extension services on modern farming techniques, sustainable practices, and value addition can enhance productivity and profitability.

Through these comprehensive measures, government policies can ensure that small-scale farmers are not only able to sustain their livelihoods but also thrive in a competitive market environment.