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Marketing of Agriculture inputs Sir, Agriculture inputs like seed, fertiliser, plant protection chemicals, cultivation implements etc. form the basis for agricultural development. In order to obtain desired level of production, it is most urgent to make essential inputs including seed and chemical fertilizers available to the farmers well in time. And for ensuring timely and smooth supply of these inputs, sound system of agriculture marketing is required. In other words, there must be a network of marketing centres at village, block and district level to deal with essential agricultural inputs. It is also essential that the farmers should get all inputs from a single window. Though the off take and demands for agricultural inputs are increasing year after year, yet we lack an appropriate marketing system in J&K State. It was a time when our farmers were reluctant to use improved seeds and fertilizers if supplied even on highly subsidized rates, but due to hard efforts of agricultural extension our farmers seem to have fully recognised the value of improved inputs and they are ready to buy even for much higher rates. But they are unable to get the inputs due to defective marketing system. Consequently, their production is likely to be affected adversely. For example sowing of wheat crop has been delayed due to non-availability of fertilizers in many parts of Jammu division. The main defect in our marketing system is that there is not a single responsible organisation. The Department of Agriculture is responsible for procurement and distribution of seed, PP Chemicals and implements. But the department lacks proper infrastructure for sale and distribution at village and or Panchayat level. Except at district, Sub Divisional and Zonal level, there is hardly any provision of departmental stores. Though temporary/seasonal arrangements are made to distribute seed at circle level, yet this sytem is full of defects and uncertainty. For want of staff, the services of extension functionaries are utilised for sale and distribution of seed, and for want of transport facilities, the seed is transported through local buses which is very odd. The local shopkeepers through whom the seeds are got sold cannot be held responsible for not opening their shops well in time and or for making adulteration. Moreover, the extension functionaries are not fully compensated the money spent on loading, unloading and transportation of seeds. Hence, it clearly indicates that even the system of seed distribution is not satisfactory. So far as fertilizer is concerned, a number of Government, semi-Government and private agencies are involved in its marketing and its sale centres are mostly located in Urban or Semi-Urban areas. Consequently, the poor farmers have to travel long distances to get fertilizers. The farmers are advised to apply balanced dose of fertilizers (NPK) but all of these fertilizers are hardly available during sowing season. Hence, the farmers have to suffer again. Thus, it is imperative that a separate Directorate of Agriculture marketing is set up in the State not only to supply agricultural inputs to farmers from a single window but also to help farmers in marketing of their surplus produce. Yours etc...... |
