2. Concept Of Rural Development
• Rural development is a
comprehensive term which
essentially focuses on action for
the development of areas that
are lagging behind in the overall
development of the village
economy.
3. Key Issues In Rural Development
• Development of human resources like literacy,
more specifically, female literacy, education
and skill development.
• Development of human resource like health,
addressing both sanitation and public health.
• Honest implementation of land reforms.
• Development of the productive resources in
each locality.
4. Rural Credit
• Meaning-Rural credit mean credit for the
farming families.
• Need-Farmers need money to buy additional
land, implements and tools, fertilizer and
seeds, paying off old debt, personal expenses
like marriage, death, religious ceremonies
etc.Since the gestation period between crop
sowing and realisation of income after sale
of agricultural produces is very long, farmers
needs to take credit.
5. Source Of Credit
• While selling their produce to traders, farmers
suffered faulty weighing and manipulation of
accounts.
• Farmers who did not have the required
information about the prevailing prices were
often forced to sell at low prices.
• Lack of storage facilities did not allow farmers
to keep their produce to fetch a better price.
6. Agricultural Marketing
• Meaning- Agricultural marketing can
be defined as the performance of all
business activities included in the
flow of products from the beginning
of agricultural production until they
are in the hands of consumers—
“from the farm to the fork.”
7. • Features-
– The prices of vegetables and fruits are daily displayed in front of each shop as well as
exhibited in big signboards of the market and it is ensured by the Department staff that
the fruits and vegetables are sold at the fixed rates.
– Horticultural Department officials identify vegetable growing farmers in the villages and
photo identification cards are issued to those farmers.
– Shops are allotted at free of cost to the farmers who bring their produce on first come
first served basis and shops are not permanently allotted to farmers.
– Aavin, Tan tea stalls are also set up in some places.
– The farmers are permitted to bring their produce without any fair for their luggage in
special trips from the villages to Uzhavar Santhais
– Hill vegetables are sold in Uzhavar Santhais through women self help groups,
Cooperative Societies.
– Weighing scales are provided at free of cost for the use of farmers and they are
retrieved after the sale proceedings are over.
– Sanitation is being maintained. In some places vermicomposting of vegetable wastes is
also done.
– Ex-Servicemen /Private security agencies have also been used for the security of the
market.
– Telephone facilities, Vehicle stand, Canteen, Toilet facilities have also been provided.
– The Uzhavar Santhais are functioning on all the days of the week.
– Water supply is available in the Uzhavar Santhai.
– To sell unsold items on the next day, storage facilities are available.
8. Defects Of Agricultural Marketing
• 1. Lack of Transportation Facility :-
It is the main obstacle in the way of efficient marketing. The rural
areas are not linked with the market by roads. A lot of agricultural
product is wasted due to transport problem.
2. Poor Quality of Product :-
Farmer is not using the improved seeds and fertilizers so quality of
production is very poor and its prices are low in the market.
3. Role of Middleman :-
The middleman also takes a big share of farmer's income without
doing anything. A poor farmer borrows the money from them and
sells his product at lower rates.
9. • 4. Lack of Grading :-
In case of agricultural commodities the mixing of good and bad products is very common in
developing countries like India and Pakistan. There is no proper method of grading these
crops. It creates a problem of marketing inside and outside the country.
5. Lack of Credit Facilities :-
The credit facilities are not adequate to meet the farmer's requirement. Poor farmer is
borrows the money from private money lenders at tied conditions.
6. Problems of Produce Collection :-
The collection of produce from small farmers is very expensive and a difficult process. It is a
great problem for the efficient marketing.
7. Lack of Storage Facility :-
The storage facilities are required by the producers as well as by the government. The
farmers need storage to sell their product at a suitable time. The government needs stores
for keeping reserve stocks. Due to lack of storage facilities a lot of product is damaged on
railway stations and in open air.
8. Weight and Measures :-
In various parts of weight and measures are not same. So a farmer suffers a loss at the time
of buying selling of his product.
9. Market News :-
Most of farmers in underdeveloped countries are uneducated and they knows nothing about
the market conditions. So farmer is unable to achieve the real price of his product.
10. Steps For Improving Agricultural
Marketing
• 1. Improved Transport Facilities :-
The government should increase the road facilities and rural areas should be
linked with the markets. It will enable the farmer to sell his product in the market
directly in the hands of consumers.
2. Increase in the Credit Facilities :-
The government should increase the credit facilities to the small farmers. No
doubt all the commercial banks are providing this facility to the farmers but still it
is not sufficient.
3. Increase in Storage Facility :-
The government should provide loan to the framer for storage facilities. The
government should also construct the stores to keep the stocks of various goods.
4. Market Reforms :-
The government should improve the market system in the country. Market
committee should be reorganized. Markets inspectors should check the prices of
agricultural products. The strict laws should be introduced.
11. • 5. New Markets :-
The government should build the new markets near the producing
centers. It will enable the farmer to get proper reward.
6. Cold Storage :-
This i an important part of organized markets. These are very useful
for the perishable goods like fruits and vegetable. The government
should expand the scope of cold storage.
7. Market Information :-
Market demand and supply condition can be provided to the
framers through radio, T.V and newspaper. The government should
also pay special attention to this side.
8. Grading of Product :-
There are various agencies which are busy in grading agricultural
product. There is a need to expand these organizations for effective
of marketing system,
9. Marketing Research :-
The government should allocate a sufficient amount on marketing
research to make the agricultural marketing more effective
12. Diversification Of Agricultural Activities
• Meaning-Diversification of agriculture refers
to the shift from the regional dominance of
one crop to regional production of a number
of crops, to meet ever increasing demand for
cereals, pulses, vegetables, fruits, oilseeds,
fibers, fodder and grasses, fuel, etc.
13. Significance Of Diversification
Agricultural
• Reduce the risk from
agricultural sector.
• Provide sustainable livelihood
option to people living in
village.
• Provide ecological balance.
14. Organic Farming
• Meaning- Organic farming is a form
of agriculture that relies on techniques such
as crop rotation, green manure, compost, and
biological pest control Depending on
whose definition is used, organic farming uses
fertilizers and pesticides if they are
considered natural, but it excludes or strictly
limits the use of various methods for reasons
including sustainability, openness, independen
ce
15. Advantages Of Organic Farming
• Inexpensive Process
• Generates Income
• Healthier And Tastier Food
• Solves Unemployment Problem
• Environmental Friendly
• Sustains Soil Fertility
