Recent developments in the farmer- market linkages of agri-business in Gujarat

There is a need to encourage food processing and agricultural marketing with a view to reducing post-harvest loss. This paper has outlined recent developents in farmer-market linkages of agri-business in Gujarat. According to this study, the Gujarat agricultural landscape is going through an unprecedented change. Value-added crops such as lemon grass, super cash crops like herbal plantations, cashew nuts and organic vegetables and fruits are replacing the conventional crops like wheat, bajara, cotton and groundnut. The Gujarat Government is finding ways of marketing of these new products. Rabo India has been appointed by the State Ministry of Agriculture to review the action plan for mapping market linkages (food parks, AEZs, processing facilities, pack houses, cold storages and mandies). Krishi Mahotsav is being organized where the primary processors are made aware of the benefits of liberalization and globalization. A recent Krishi Mahotsav focused on value addition and market linkages. More than 8000 farmers would be sensitized to value-addition techniques and setting up of small agro-processing units in Jyotigarm villages. The development of Dholera port will aid the development of agro-industries around Ahmedabad city and north of Gujarat. The state government is following up with the centre for setting up a cargo complex for perishable food commodities. The central government has also set up a Horticulture Mission Board in Ahmedabad to promote the present capacity of the processing units. Big corporate houses such as Welspun, and Godrej Agrovat are exploring possibilities of contract farming in Gujarat.