Agricultural credit and produce marketing in Uttar Pradesh: Challenges and way forward

The paper analyses the existing status of market infrastructure In the state and suggest several remedial measure to improve the marketing efficiency and benefit the stakeholders. Robust infrastructure is required for providing forward and backward linkages to exporting units. A proper cold chain from market to reefer vans and to airports be ensured for export items. More efficient procurement systems and procedures be ensured. E-NAM operations be strengthened in all markets including rural haats by providing requisite infrastructure facilities, services, and internet connections. Restrictions on licensing and trading be removed. Further, product-specific marketing and trade strategies are required. Institutional innovations in markets are required. FPOs are required to build up marketing infrastructure and market their produce directly to the consumers/ bulk-buyers. The existing periodical markets or rural Haatpaiths could be developed to co-host GrAMs as institutionally managed retail agricultural markets. The capacity building and skill development in export business and in market functions is also required. There is a considerable need for adequate market infrastructure development, a more decentralized system for resource mobilization and responsive institutions at each market level in the state.