It is time to reinvent the states Agriculture-notes-for-state-psc-exams”>Agriculture sector to match global standards. Its contribution to the gross state domestic is sagging at a mere 13% and fortunes offarmershave not changed much.
TNs farmers have been getting inadequate prices for their produce due to lack of like cold storage for horticultural produce, warehouses for storing grain and ripening chambers for fruits. In this situation, Mega Food Parks or integrated food terminals offer solutions that are technologically Sound and futuristic.
These facilities have integrated infrastructure such as multi-temperature cold storage, meat and Food Processing units, wholesale and retail markets, dry port, export processing zone, skilled training centre for workers, sorting and packing with branding support, so that farmers bringing their produce can use these facilities to sell directly, store for later vend or value add and sell depending on their choice.
Integrated food parks in the West have created a model to efficiently store farm products and get congenial prices for products all year round. Not many substantial complaints have risen from farmers or farm cooperatives these many years.
The gross value added products from agriculture, Forestry and fishing are valued at 19.5 lakh crore and growing at 5.7% as per 2020 estimates, of which farmers now get just a small proportion.
The platform will help develop scientific relations with traders and encourage marginal and small farmers to engage in collective farming to exercise profitability.