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Bridging the Gaps in Market Information on Agricultural Commodities: A Case Study of Assam, India
Authors: Baljeet Singh, Nibha Kumari & Rana Pratap Dutta
Number of views: 70
Market Information and Intelligence (MII) is one of the most important inputs in agriculture, essential for the viability of
farming as a business. A broad term, MII includes market prices, arrivals, price forecasts, marketing standards and
specifications for different commodities and different grades of a commodity information on buyers and can be
supplemented with weather intelligence (current weather, weather alerts, and weather forecasts) and advice on package of
practices for different crops. Current gaps in Market information and intelligence (MII) in six districts of Assam in northeastern
India, each representing one distinct agro climatic zone of the state, were assessed as a prelude to setting up a
Market Intelligence Cell (MIC) as part of the Assam State Agricultural Marketing Board (ASAMB). The study comprised a
survey, field visits, stakeholder consultation, and expert opinions. A total of 285 progressive farmers represented the
producers of agricultural commodities whereas 62 aggregators, 77 traders, and 77 processors represented the market.
Field data were collected using a pre-tested schedule completed through personal interviews. Integrated MII services
across the value chains of different commodities are unknown in Assam, and players in the value chain are unconvinced of
the potential benefits of such services. Given the erratic and unevenly distributed supply of electricity, any proposed MII
service for agriculture in Assam will have to be developed using the mobile telephone network. Quarterly price forecasts of
agricultural commodities up to six months ahead and made available in local language will be the most important
component of the MII service, which should also include stock arrivals in markets, a database of buyers, standards and
specifications related to farm produce, and advice on better farming practices. Aggregators need MII to be updated daily;
traders and farmers, weekly; and processors, monthly and these consumers should be charged accordingly. Lastly, it is not
enough to set up such a service: to realize its full potential, training and capacity building of all the players in the value
chain are equally important.