Remunerative Price Research Articles

Perceived Constraints in Marketing of Milk during Normality and Due to Lockdown in West Bengal

The study was undertaken with an objective to assess the perceived constraints in marketing of milk during normality and due to lockdown in West Bengal. In all, 120 dairy farmers were randomly selected using two marketing channels such as (i) Producer – Consumer (ii) Producer – Milkman -Consumer having equal proportion from both the channels from two blocks of Malda district. The perceived constraints faced and suggestions in improving the marketing of milk were analyzed through Garrett ranking techniques. The study showed that the major perceived constraints in marketing of milk during normality were less remunerative price for milk followed by high seasonal fluctuation in demand and price of milk. But during the lockdown, the major perceived constraints were no market opportunities to sell their milk followed by problem of transportation and small opening hours of market. The suggestive measures recommended by the milk producer were to stable market and market rate of milk followed by proper marketing channel and higher opportunities in dairy product marketing. Further, creation of basic infrastructure needs to be done to strengthen the marketing of milk in the region.

Analysis of Marketing Facilities available for Tomato Growers of Haryana

Market plays crucial role in the economic life of farmers, and essential in the chain of commodity distribution. Postharvest losses in tomato are a matter of concern for all tomato growers, therefore a need for farmers to sell their produce instantly after harvesting is felt. Provision of better marketing facilities would assist in better handling of the produce and reduce storage losses, thereby offering higher and remunerative prices to the growers. The present study was conducted during 2020-21 in four districts of Haryana, namely Nuh, Sonipat, Gurugram and Palwal. The investigation was focused on the marketing facilities available for the farmers, their knowledge and adoption level regarding post-harvest management practices. A total sample of 160 respondents were selected and personally interviewed. The results indicated that farmers had medium degree of mass media exposure, extension contact and extension participation. To test the adequacy of sample, factor analysis using KMO and Bartlett’s test of sphericity was applied and yielded 10 factors and explaining a total of 69.58 per cent of the variance for the entire set of marketing facilities.

Estimation of Marketed Surplus Function of Milk in Madhya Pradesh

"The present study to estimate the factors affecting the marketed surplus of milk in Madhya Pradesh was carried out by collecting data from 80 producer households from two zones of Madhya Pradesh during 2020. The study revealed that milk production per animal was the most significant factor influencing the marketed surplus of milk followed by price of milk and operational land holding, respectively. Both in relative as well as in absolute terms, production and marketed surplus increased with the increase in the herd size implying positive relationship between production and marketed surplus of milk. Larger family size tends to decrease the marketed surplus as it is more consumed at producer level. This signifies that efforts should be made to improve the productivity of animals as states has highest indigenous cattle population whose productivity was found to be very low along with efficient marketing facilities to get remunerative price"

Oyster Mushroom Production in Meghalaya: A Potential Venture

"Oyster mushroom production, which is profitable agri-business enterprise for enhancing farm income, generating additional employment and subsistence to nutritional security. Considering the growing demand and importance of oyster mushroom production for promising enterprise, an attempt has been made to estimate the cost and returns of growing oyster mushroom, to identify various determinants affecting its value of mushroom productivity. The study was carried out in Rongram block, West Garo Hills of Meghalaya using 60 oyster mushroom growers. Findings revealed that the total cost depicted a decreasing trend with increase in the size of beds spawned due to economies of scale. On overall basis, the total cost estimated to be ` 467 per 5 units of polybag beds spawned. The returns from mushroom cultivation depicted a positive association with farm size; these are ` 58/kg, ` 76/kg and ` 120/kg for small, medium and large mushroom farms respectively. It was worked out in the overall farm size that one rupee invested in mushroom growing, yields about ` 1.55. The input-output ratio was highest on large mushroom farms (1.82), followed by medium (1.48) and small (1.35) farms. The single window input delivery system should be encouraged in the study area. There was a felt need for a linkage and full co-operation between the state government, financial institutions, researchers, scientists, extension workers and mushroom growers on different advanced technological aspects of better production oyster mushroom, which would help the farmers’ to get remunerative prices for their products."

A study on the growth, status and distribution of farmer producer organisations in West Bengal

Farmer Producer Organisations or Companies have gained immense popularity in the last few years for its success based upon collective action approaches. Pooling of resources presents numerous opportunities for the farmers as it smoothens the marketing process by eliminating the middlemen from the market, establishes direct contact with consumers and producers, help the farmers to get more than the remunerative price. Besides that, it presents farming as an enterprise to the farmers rather than a subsistence way of living. The Government of India has approved and launched the Central Sector Scheme of “Formation and Promotion of 10,000 Farmer Producer Organizations (FPOs)” to form and promote 10,000 new FPOs till 2027-28 with a total budgetary outlay of Rs.6865 Cr. Initially one FPO is allocated per block. So far, a total of 4465 new FPOs produce clusters have been allocated to Implementing Agencies for formation of FPOs, of which a total of 632 no. of FPOs have been registered. In West Bengal, the first FPO established in 2012 under SFAC in Nadia district followed by another FPO in Birbhum district in the same year. Since then a total of 151 FPOs under NABARD and 89 FPOs under SFAC have been established so far. Hence, this study was carried out in 2021 to study the present status and growth of FPOs in West Bengal. The compound annual growth rate of FPOs under NABARD and SFAC has been calculated. Also, the distribution of FPOs across the state was analysed. It was found that 63% FPOs comes under NABARD whereas 37% FPOs comes under SFAC. NABARD has identified several districts and blocks for further expansion of the FPOs.

Prospects and constraints experienced in organic farming by farmers

The world has conceded that growing demand for safe and healthy food in changing climate scenario could only meet out through organic farming. The purpose of this study was to find out prospects and constraints experienced in organic farming by farmers of Haryana. The study was carried out during 2019-20 in Hisar, Sirsa, Bhiwani, Kurukshetra, Sonipat and Yamunanagar districts of Haryana state of India. Present study concluded that organic farming was perceived highly prospective especially as environment friendly, improves soil health, products are safe, healthy and nutritious. Study also concluded that farmers were facing very serious constraints, viz. no special incentive or remunerative price policy by the government, predominance of the inorganic farmers in the locality, lack of mobilization of organic farmers and inclination towards use of chemical pesticides due to their high visual impact. Ensured remunerative price policy by government is pivotal for speedy promotion of such eco-friendly, sustainable and profitable farming.

Growth and Economic Profitability of Rice Cultivation in Haryana

An investigation on the growth and economic profitability of rice production was conducted in Karnal district of Haryana, India in 2019-20. A sample of 30 farmers from Karnal district were interviewed to collect relevant information related to various expenses incurred in the cultivation of rice and output attained as well as constraints encountered in production of rice. Compound annual growth rate (CAGR) results revealed an increasing trend in area, production and yield of rice in Haryana. Large instability suggests that there was more variability in area, production and yield in Haryana than in India during the period under study. Highest cost was incurred in variety Basmati CSR-30 (Rs. 763kg-1) cultivation. Similarly, highest net profit was realized in the cultivation of Basmati CSR-30 (Rs. 202kg-1). Lack of remunerative prices was the main constraint in rice cultivation. Thus, cultivation of rice could be made more profitable by upward review of per unit price of rice and looking into other avenues to incentivize the rice farmers. Similarly, research should be reoriented to reduce the production cost and improving yield which have direct effect on profitability.

Post-integration Effect of e-NAM in Nawapara APMC, Chhattisgarh

The present study was carried out in Nawapara APMC in Chhattisgarh to examine the changes brought about by the e-NAM intervention in the arrivals and prices of paddy. To identify the factors that influence farmers’ participation in the e-NAM platform, several 75 farmers were selected and interviewed. F test and t-test were adopted to analyze the equality of variances and means of the market arrivals and prices of paddy before and after e-NAM adoption. The study results show that both the monthly arrivals and modal prices of paddy were higher post-e-NAM integration than before it was integrated. The percentage changes before and after e-NAM in the arrivals and prices were 29.28 percent and 24.21 percent, respectively. There is no significant ratio in variances, whereas there is a significant difference in the means of both the arrivals and prices, as shown by F and t t-test results. The factors that motivated the farmers to do trading on the e-NAM platform were found to be influenced mainly by remunerative price followed by better price than the open auction, more transparency, and absence of middlemen. This indicated that the implementation of the e-NAM platform has a positive impact on arrivals and prices. The impact may be more visible once it is implemented in the true sense of conceptualized.

Restructuring State Intervention Strategies towards Chickpea Production Development in India—Application of Structural Equation Modeling (SEM)

Structural equation modeling (SEM) was employed to analyze the influence of exogenous variables (research and extension (RE), marketing aspects (MA), and infrastructure development (ID)) on the endogenous variable chickpea production development (CPD) to restructure policy interventions in India. Results of the measurement model revealed that all the latent variables have construct validity (both convergent validity and discriminant validity) and composite reliability. Confirmatory factor analysis revealed that all indicators of both exogenous and endogenous variables are significant. Yield-increasing production technologies (PT), minimum support prices (MSP), and storage structures (SS) and the three exogenous variables (research and extension, marketing, and infrastructure development) are the strongest indicators. For the endogenous variable CPD, remunerative prices (RP) is the strongest indicator and also serves as a driving force for other indicators. The results of the structural model revealed that RE is the most effective construct followed by ID and MA, and they cumulatively explained 89 percent of the total variation in CPD. Among these three constructs, MSP is the key indicator of MA with the highest loading factor (0.799), and hence it should be given the highest priority for promoting CPD in India.

Effect of blade profile and processing parameters on quality seedlac: Modification in blade profile for quality seedlac

Sticklac obtained after scraping the lac incrustations from mature lac stick of host trees and converted into seedlac at lac processing industries for its further use in making lac based value added products. Sticklac converted into seedlac can be stored like grain, in gunny bag or metal bin for longer period without much deterioration in the quality so that lac grower can sell seedlac whenever they get remunerative price. Different profiles of the churning blade used to increase the working surface area to the maximum possible extent and enhance the turbulence during washing operation of sticklac in presence of water for quality seedlac without major change in conventional churning mechanism of lac washing machine developed under small scale lac processing unit. Seedlac prepared using higher amount of water increased impurity level and color index, enhanced churning time reduced impurity content and color index while warm water reduced impurity level and increased color index in the washed seedlac. Impurity content and color index were lowest in seedlac prepared using modified churning blade ‘rod parallel to the shaft’ compared to other modified churning blade and conventional blade.

Equipments for Manufacturing Lac Based Value Added Products

Lac, a natural resin of insect origin, yields basically three useful materials i.e.resin, wax and dye and is an important source of livelihood for poor and tribal farmers in the lac growing regions. Lac growers harvest lac in form of lac stick and lac encrustations attached with sticks are then scraped which is known as sticklac. Sticklac contains impurities which need to be removed by converting sticklac in to seedlac through different unit operations under primary lac processing so that seedlac, a semi-refined product, can be further used in making lac based value added products i.e.shellac, button lac, bleached lac, aleuritic acid etc. Sticklac converted into seedlac can be stored like grain in jute/gunny bag or metal bin for longer period. Hence, lac grower can sell stored seedlac whenever they get remunerative price. Lac resin being natural, biodegradable and non-toxic, finds application in food, textile, furniture, electrical and pharmaceutical industries and provides immense employment opportunities. Regular demand for the materials derived from lac exists in the market due to global trend for use of natural products. Small scale lac processing unit can be established for conversion of sticklac in to seedlac in production catchment area at grower's level itself. Similarly, integrated small scale lac processing unit can also be utilized for conversion of sticklac in to seedlac with reduced man-power requirement and minimum drudgery. Equipments/machineries developed for manufacturing value added lac-based products may be encouraged in the country to reduce time of operation, drudgery and manpower requirement with enhanced capacity of value addition in lac and to promote entrepreneurship development which may further enhance employment generation. To ensure the quality of produce, traditional equipments/machineries needs replacement with new equipments/machineries made of food grade materials coupled with advanced automation system to the maximum possible extent. Value addition in lac could be promoted and migration of rural and tribal people to other states in search of employment could be minimized with adoption of improved equipment and machineries for value addition of lac at village level so that rural and tribal people may get remunerative price of their product. Hence, increase in sustainable livelihood of rural and tribal people might be possible with adoption of lac value addition sector

Socio-Economic Profile, Motivational Sources and Reason behind Joining the Farmer Producer Companies by the Dairy Farmers in India

Collective action approaches plays a significant role in solving marketing problems like providing the remunerative price of the product, eliminates the intermediaries from the agriculture value chain, and enhance the direct marketing between farmers and consumers. In these references, a new collective action approach being popularised in India i.e., farmer producer company. So, it is important to study the socio-economic characteristics of dairy farmers, motivational factors, and the reasons behind joining the FPCs. Hence a study was conducted from January 2020 at the three states i.e. Rajasthan, Uttar Pradesh, and Madhya Pradesh of India to investigate the socio-economic profile, motivational factors, and the reasons behind joining the FPCs among farmers. Primary data was collected through a semi-structured interview schedule using a sample of 360 farmers selected from twelve dairy-based FPCs of three states. Data were analyzed through frequency, range, and percentage. It was found that most farmers were middle-aged, possess small landholding, educated up to graduate level. The most important reason behind taking the membership of FPCs was to enhance the family income through FPCs, better price realization by FPCs, and quick payment settlement. Due to the above reasons, most of the farmers want to join FPCs in study areas. The result of the present study helps to enhance the membership of farmer Producer Company through formulating a suitable strategy that should attract the farmer to joining the farmer producer company. This also helps to identify the motivation sources and their credibility among farmers for convincing them for joining FPCs. It was also found that the participation of farmers in dairy-based farmer producer companies is largely dependent on the socio-economic characteristics of the dairy farmers.

Sustainable agriculture through organic farming in India

Organic products are grown under a system of agriculture without the use of chemical fertilizers and pesticides with an environmentally and socially responsible approach. Organic agriculture is developing rapidly and today 186 countries produce organic food commercially. Currently, only 1.5 percent of the world’s agricultural land is farmed organically. The status of organic farming in India is bestowed with lot of potential to produce all varieties of organic products due to its various agro climatic regions. In several parts of the country, the inherited tradition of organic farming is an added advantage. This holds promise for the organic producers to tap the market which is growing steadily in the domestic market related to the export market. India ranks 9th in terms of World’s organic agricultural land and 1st in terms of total number of producers. The popularity of organic food is growing dramatically as consumer seeks the organic foods that are thought to be healthier and safer. As per the Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers’ Welfare (MoAFW), 2.78 million ha was covered under organic farming in India which is about 2 per cent of the 140.1 million ha net sown area in the country. Of this, 1.94 million ha (70%) area is under National Project on Organic Farming NPOP, 0.59 million ha (21.5%) under Paramparagat Krishi Vikas Yojana (PKVY), 0.07 million ha (2.6 %) under Mission Organic Value Chain Development for North East Region (MOVCDNER) and 0.17 million ha (6.1% ) under state schemes or non-schemes. The certified organic production for all crop categories stood at 2.6 million metric tons.in 2018-19. Sugar crops (sugarcane), oilseeds, cereals and millets, fiber crops, pulses, medicinal, herbal and aromatic plants, and spices/condiments are the highest produced organic commodities in India. However, the Indian organic food industry is curtailed by multiple challenges including reduced farm production per hectare, a general apprehension among farmers to forego the use of chemical fertilizers and pesticides and higher storage and transportation costs due to the lack of preservatives required for long-term storage. The states should step up their action in a concerted way to promote organic and natural farming. States can play an instrumental role in helping farmers sell their organic and natural produce by developing organic value chains, procuring organic produce and helping farmers get remunerative prices.

Production, varietal improvement programme and seed availability of annual oilseeds in India: Current scenario and future prospects

Oilseeds are important components ofIndian Agriculture. The demand for oilseeds and edible oils would be 61.5 million tonnes and 17.2 million tonnes, respectively, during 2021-22 and the projected supply of oilseeds be only 39.20 million tonnes against the highest ever production of oilseeds in India i.e. 33.42 m t during 2019-20. As the level of self sufficiency is around 40%, there has been a large import of vegetable oils valued at `81,097 crores during 2020-21 to meet the consumption requirement of the country. Therefore, it is imperative to evolve new climate resilient technologies to increase production. Use of high yielding varieties and quality seeds with a contribution of 15%-20% each to the yield, is the first and foremost approach to enhance oilseeds production. The present paper reviews the current scenario of kharif and rabi annual oilseeds, development of varieties, their induction in to the seed chain and seed production during the last decade (2010-11 to 2019-20). Oilseeds area, production and yield showed inconsistent trend during the decade. The highest area (28.05 mha), production (33.42 m t) and yield (1284 kg/ha) were recorded during 2013-14, 2019-20 and 2017-18, respectively. Area under sesame, niger, linseed, sunflower, safflower and castor ubstantially decreased during 2019-20 and consequently the production also decreased as compared to the base year (2010-11). Nevertheless, there was increase in yield/ha of these crops barring soybean. A total of 299 varieties of nine oilseed crops were developed during the last 11 years. This includes 23 bio-fortified varieties having nutritionally superior-edible oil such as high oleic acid in groundnutand safflower, high linoleic acid in linseed, low erucic acid (and concomitant increase in oleic acid) in oil and/or lowglucosinolates in seedmeal in rapeseed-mustard and KITand lipoxygenase free soybean. Seed production chain of oilseeds during 2020-21 consisted of 261 varieties/hybrids comprising 62 of groundnut, 48 of soybean, 64 of rapeseed-mustard, 29 of sesame, 26 of linseed, 9 of niger, 7 of sunflower, 12 of safflower and 4 of castor including 152 varieties released during the last 10 years (up to 2020). There has been a continuous surge in the requirement for seeds of oilseed crops from 2010-11 (57.88 lakh q) until 2018-19 (58.56 lakh q). Seed requirement during 2019-20 was lower (55.61 lakh q) by 3.9% (2.27 lakh q). The highest seed requirement (67.13 lakh q) for seeds was during 2014-15, an increase of about 16.0%. Seed availability during the decade was always higher except for 2014-15 and 2015-16 which recorded 7.7% and 13.6% shortfall, respectively. The seed replacement rate was morethan ideal except for groundnut, castor and sunflower and varietal replacement rate was also high. Bridging the huge yield gap and bringing additional lands in non-traditional areas and/or seasons and utilization of rice fallows are some ofthe options for enhancing oilseeds production. The latter, needs systematic and concerted efforts to identify suitable varieties and develop matching technologies involving time and cost. Efforts should be made, in the first instance, to reduce yield gap to below 20% in the next 3-4 years by facilitating access of farmers to timely availability of various critical inputs including credit, regular and timely technical backstopping and attractive remunerative prices to the crop produce through market interventions. This would lead to gear up additional production of oilseeds up to 9.0 m t in the immediate future.

Factors Determining Choice of Conventional Labour Among Yam Producers in Benue State of Nigeria

The present research empirically determined the factors that influenced the choice of combined labour for efficient yam marketable surplus in Benue State of Nigeria. 2016 cropping season cross-sectional data elicited by structured questionnaire complemented with interview schedule from a total of 120 farmers chosen through a multi-stage sampling technique was used. The instruments used for data analysis were descriptive and inferential statistics. The empirical evidences showed that decision for choice of efficiently combined labour that is supplemented by paid labour for efficient yam marketable surplus was affected by low yam productivity and low income which largely owed to poor proceeds from product marketing. Gender stereotype due to culture and religious barriers affected women access and control to productive access, thus hinders women active involved in yam entrepreneurship as they cannot carter for paid labour. Thus, it can be inferred that utilization of combined labour was affected by poor yield, gender stereotype and poor economic capital. Therefore, for farmers to be able to harness combined labour efficiently for a good marketable surplus, thus a better wellbeing for farmers, farmers need technical guided on potential yield; provision of buffer stocks for a remunerative price normalization; and, breaking the jinx of gender inequality through tacit sensitization in the studied area.

Sustaining national food security and increasing farmers’ income through quality seed

Since independence, India achieved a distinction from ship-to-mouth status to self dependent, food surplus and net exporter of food grains in 69 years and recorded an all time high (285.2 million tonnes) production during 2018-19 from meagre 50.8 mt during 1950-51. In spite of spectacular success in food production over the years, it is a great challenge to sustain high production as well as enhance it further to meet the future requirement, as the population continues to grow steadily with an annual growth rate of 1.10% and expected to be 1.42 billion and 1.48 billion by 2025 and 2030, respectively, from 1.32 billion during 2017; coupled with enhanced consumption of food grains due to rising income, necessitating an increase of 4.5% and 15.7% by 2020 and 2030, respectively, over the present food production. It is a great challenge in view of climate change, diminishing and degrading land and water resources, increasing biotic and abiotic stresses and loss of bio-diversity. The present paper discusses the trend of production and productivity of food crops from 1950-51 to 2018-19; assess the contribution of seed to food production, seed chain, quality seed production and scope of quality seed for enhancing farmers’ income and future strategies for seed research, production and development to sustain food production. Requisite assets such as a strong crop specific cultivar development programmes, 850 high yielding food crop varieties comprising 657 of cereals and 193 of pulses released during the last six years, robust and vibrant seed systems, quality regulatory mechanism, globally competitive seed sector and the largest arable land with 46 soil types across 15 agro-climatic zones favouring seed production of diverse crops are available for sustaining high food production and meet the future demand for seed and food. Ensuring availability of quality seed in adequate quantity though imperative, yet, itself is not enough to trigger the production if it is not coupled with achieving sufficient varietal diversity in seed chain preferably phasing out gradually the old and obsolete varieties and inducting recently developed high yielding and disease resistant varieties. The overall progress and outcome are largely dependent on Government policies and support, which require consistent and adequate financial resources for sustaining a vibrant seed production, farm power machinery, processing units, storage, seed testing, delivery systems and trained human resources besides remunerative prices to the farmers.

Effect of Spacing and Fertigation on Growth and Yield Parameters of French Bean (Phaseolus vulgaris L.) under Protected Cultivation

Background: French bean (Phaseolus vulgaris L.) is an important and widely grown leguminous vegetable. The area under this crop in protected cultivation is increasing due to its high yield and remunerative price. There is scanty of information on pacing and nutrients for fertigation under protected cultivation. Hence the experiment was carried out to determine the effect of spacing and fertigation on growth and yield parameters in French bean under naturally ventilated polyhouse during Kharif 2018 at Zonal Agricultural and Horticultural Research Station, Navile, Shivamogga.Methods: The experiment was laid out in split plot design with three replications. There were 18 treatment combinations comprised of three different spacing treatments and six fertigation treatments. Result: Among all the treatments significantly highest number of primary branches (8.70) and secondary branches (8.50) at 45 days after sowing (DAS), number of pods plant-1 (220.20), pod length (20.66 cm), pod girth (2.95 cm) and pod weight (17.69g) were recorded in the treatment combination with 60 × 75cm with 44:70:53 kg ha-1 + mulching + micronutrient spray. The least number of primary branches (4.27), secondary branches (4.50), number of pods plant-1 (160.33), pod length (15.61cm), pod girth (1.75 cm) and pod weight (13.88g) were observed in the treatment combination with 60 × 45 cm spacing with 33:52.5:39.75 kg of N:P:K kg ha-1. The higher plant height at 45 DAS (480.50 cm) and yield (13.06 t) for 1000 m-2 was found in treatment combination 60 × 45cm with 44:70:53 kg ha-1 + mulching + micronutrient spray (S3T4). It was concluded from the study that, the closer spacing (60 × 45cm) with the combination of 44:70:53 kg ha-1 (N:P:K), mulching and micronutrient spray resulted in higher pod yield (13.06 t) 1000m-2.

Status and Performance Appraisal of Electronic National Agricultural Markets (e-NAM) in Punjab

The Electronic National Agricultural Market (e-NAM), a shared online market platform for agricultural commodities on a one nation one market basis, was launched on April 14, 2016. Since this scheme has been in practice for the last four years in the country, but the state of Punjab opted for it two years later, the present study was designed to appraise the adoption of the portal in the selected markets of the state and to throw light on constraints and prospects of e-NAM in Punjab. The results showed that most farmers benefitted from remunerative prices and found the e-NAM system transparent as every step of trading was digitally recorded. The farmers enjoyed the liberty to sell the produce anywhere at a comparatively higher price. The majority of the farmers expressed that e-NAM was better in price realization, which was the most lucrative aspect. At the same time, the farmers wanted to have a separate gate entry for trading through e-NAM, increased awareness, and uninterrupted and low-cost internet connectivity in markets.

Consumer Preference towards Milk Products in Tamil Nadu

Dairy industry is one among the important sector in India. India is the largest milk producer, accounting for more than 18.50 per cent of the world’s total milk production. In India 80 per cent of milk is marketed through the highly fragmented unorganized sector, which includes local milk vendors, wholesalers, retailers, and producers themselves. On the other hand, the organized dairy industry, accounted for about 20 per cent of total milk production, comprised of two sectors: government and co-operatives. Even though co-operatives provide a remunerative price to the producer, the unorganized sector plays a major role in milk marketing. The present study identifies the major factors influencing the consumers to prefer milk products and also to analyse the awareness level of the consumers in Tamil Nadu. Totally 120 sample respondents were selected. Garrett’s rank analysis was done to analyze the factors influencing the consumers buying behaviour of milk and its products. The results showed that quality, price and taste were the most influencing factors to buy the milk products and the least influencing factors were flavour/colour and packaging of the products. Ghee was the major product preferred by the consumers .Quantity of milk showed significant relationship between age, monthly income and family size.

Assuring farmers income in the context of New Farm Laws: Issues and the way forward

In India, the new farm laws are intended to opening up agricultural economy and exposing farmers to free market opportunities. On the fear of exposing to market volatility, farmers are agitating for guaranteed minimum support price. The paper analysed the farm laws by using secondary data collated from various government reports and literature. Although, MSP policy achieved its objective of providing assured prices for paddy and wheat farmers and also abundant supply of food grains, it neglected other crops like pulses, oilseeds, fruits and vegetables, resulted mass undernourishment among children and women. Under the existing MSP policy with complete focus on paddy and wheat with utter neglect of other crops, farmers of pulses and oilseeds are exposed to market vagaries and volatility, resulted in low production, low profitability and excessive dependence on imports. The paper suggested a modified MSP policy as price insurance. Although the new farm laws will help in encouraging much needed private investments in agricultural infrastructure like cold chains, warehouses, collection centres and aggregation centres, they cannot ensure stable and remunerative prices to farmers. Hence, there is a need for modifying the past MSP policy to safeguard the farmers from high volatility and also low prices. Although crop insurance schemes like Prime Minister Fasal Bhima Yojana (PMFBY) was in implementation, it covers only production risk with complete neglect of price risk. Under the new farm laws, the role of the MSP policy should be altered in such a way that (i) Procurement of paddy and wheat to meets the needs of procurement for food security, (ii) Price Deficiency Payment Scheme (PDPS) for remaining 21 crops and (iii) Provide signal price for crops with fragmented markets.