POLICY INITIATIVES IN AGRICULTURAL MARKETING DIVISION

1. Marketing Research and Information Network (MRIN )

With a view to disseminate price and market related information in respect of agricultural commodities to farmers, this Department has implemented a Scheme of Agricultural Marketing Research and Information Network. Under the scheme, so far 735 agricultural markets have been inter-connected on AGMARKNET portal wherein daily prices of more than 300 commodities and about 2000 varieties are being reported.  During 10^th Plan 2000 more agricultural markets are planned to be connected to the portal with a central outlay of Rs. 35 crores thereby providing on-line connectivity to 37 per cent of total number of wholesale markets in the country. So far an amount of Rs.11.48 crores has been released for providing internet connectivity to 950 markets; for developing 8 state level portals and for market led extension activities in 16 states. The commodities covered include cereals, pulses, oilseeds, fruits and vegetables, spices, fibre crops, livestock, poultry, etc. IFFCO, a cooperative fertilizer company, has been involved in disseminating the price information to a large net work of farmers’ cooperatives spread all over the country.  National Multi Commodity Exchange of India Ltd, Ahmedabad has been interlinked with the portal to provide on-line information in respect of future prices of  selected commodities. Linkages have also been established with websites of Food & Agriculture Organisation (FAO) and Asian & Pacific Coconut Commodity (APCC) for accessing international commodity price trends. Further details can be viewed on the website  www.agmarknet.nic.in.

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