Agricultural Marketing Information System: A Case Study in Regulated Markets of Meghalaya

Abstract

Agricultural marketing information is crucial to the farmers to make decisions about what to grow, when to harvest, to which market produce should be sent and whether or not to store it. An attempt has been made to identify the various patterns of collection, documentation, dissemination and constraints of agricultural marketing information (AMI) of regulated market functionaries in the study area. To study the existing agricultural marketing information system (AMIS) and its dissemination, two regulated markets namely, Mawiong Regulated Market in Mylliem Block of East Khasi Hills and Garobadha Regulated Market in Selsella Block of West Garo Hills district of Meghalaya were selected purposively. From the findings of the research study, it was revealed that market arrivals and prices (maximum, minimum and modal) were the only two major types of market information documented and made available to the farmers and other intended beneficiaries in sample regulated markets. Both the regulated markets transmitted the information to AGMARKNET, Meghalaya State Agricultural Marketing Board (Portal), farmers, Department of agricultural marketing, Department of agriculture and newspaper. Farmers are unable to evaluate and document the agricultural market information due to illiteracy and poor communication ability, lack of auction system, no grading from the farmers point and cess was taken in random were the major constraints in management of AMI in the selected Garobadha and Mawiong regulated markets. Proper integration of various agencies for adequate and efficient dissemination of vital agricultural marketing information so that it will act as a ‘one-stop solution’ for the needs of the farming community of Meghalaya. There is need of proper dissemination of market intelligence and information through all possible means of communication for improving the marketing efficiency. There is a need to revitalise of APMCs and develop a system of market information utilising the modern information communication techniques so that market information reaches timely to the end users in the hilly regions of Meghalaya.