Reforms in agricultural marketing, policy issues and sustainable market development in Odisha

The study has examined the reforms in agricultural marketing and functioning of e-NAM in Odisha. The state has 65 RMCs, 428 market yards consisting of 53-principal and rest sub-market yards. There has been an increase in the supply of quality inputs viz. seeds, fertilizers, machineries to boost agricultural production in the state. The incentives like direct benefit transfer of input subsidy, free mobile to farmers, creation of additional warehousing and cold storage facilities have been provided to the farmers under input marketing reforms. The state has a substantial number of wholesale and village markets for marketing of farm produce. The marketable surplus of paddy in the state has increased over the years due to an efficient e-procurement of paddy system. However the deficit is observed in the marketable surplus of pulses and oilseeds. The state has specialized markets for cotton, maize, livestock, fruits & vegetables. 32 out of 43 Krushak Bazaars are functioning in the State for direct marketing of agricultural produce to consumer. Ten markets of the state have been connected to national portal of e-NAM for sale of commodities like zinger, turmeric, coconut, cotton, chili, onion, potato and maize where the farmers sale the produce to the traders through the portal.. The Government has also amended the State APMC Act during the year 2006 to accommodate establishment of Private Markets, Contract Farming, Single Licence, single point levy of market fees etc for trading under e-NAM banner,. Fruits and Vegetables have since been withdrawn from the ambit of APMC Act enabling free movement of perishable items. Therefore e-NAM in is going to be a platform where farmers are to get highest competitive price of their produce. Moreover promotion of cluster-based value chains,FPOs,contract farming and retail agri-business with a special focus on strengthening of market-led extension are to be emphasized for sustainable market development in the State.