Integrated Scheme for Agricultural Marketing
The Integrated Scheme for Agricultural Marketing (ISAM) is a Central Sector Scheme launched by the Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare, Government of India in 2007-08. The scheme aims to provide a comprehensive approach to agricultural marketing by promoting integrated marketing infrastructure, strengthening market linkages, enhancing farmers‘ participation in market decision-making, and providing market intelligence and advisory services.
Source: https://agricoop.nic.in/sites/default/files/finalopguidelines_0.pdf
The ISAM has been implemented in all states and union territories of India. The scheme has been implemented through several components, including:
- Construction of market yards and other marketing infrastructure
- Strengthening of market linkages
- Enhancing farmers’ participation in market decision-making
- Provision of market intelligence and advisory services
The ISAM has been successful in achieving several of its objectives. The scheme has led to the construction of over 10,000 market yards and other marketing infrastructure across the country. The scheme has also helped to strengthen market linkages and enhance farmers’ participation in market decision-making. The ISAM has also provided market intelligence and advisory services to farmers, which has helped them to improve their marketing practices.
Benefits of ISAM
The ISAM has been a major initiative of the Government of India to promote agricultural marketing. The scheme has helped to improve the marketing of agricultural produce in India and has benefited farmers by providing them with better access to markets and information.
Here are some of the benefits of the ISAM:
Improved marketing infrastructure
The ISAM has led to the construction of over 10,000 market yards and other marketing infrastructure across the country. This has improved the efficiency of agricultural marketing and has made it easier for farmers to sell their produce.
Strengthened market linkages
The ISAM has helped to strengthen market linkages between farmers and buyers. This has resulted in better prices for farmers and has made it easier for them to sell their produce.
Enhanced farmers’ participation in market decision-making
The ISAM has helped to enhance farmers’ participation in market decision-making. Farmers have been given a greater say in how their produce is marketed, which has helped to ensure that they get a fair price for their produce.
Provision of market intelligence and advisory services
The ISAM has provided market intelligence and advisory services to farmers. This has helped farmers to improve their marketing practices and has made it easier for them to sell their produce at a profit.
The ISAM is a comprehensive and well-designed scheme that has had a positive impact on agricultural marketing in India. The scheme has helped to improve the efficiency of agricultural marketing, strengthen market linkages, enhance farmers’ participation in market decision-making, and provide market intelligence and advisory services to farmers. These measures have benefited farmers by providing them with better access to markets and information, which has helped them to improve their marketing practices and get a fair price for their produce.
Source: Department of Agriculture & Farmers Welfare, Government of India