The correct answer is: a) Uzhavar Santhai (farmers’ market).
Uzhavar Santhai (farmers’ market) is a platform for farmers in Odisha to directly sell their produce to consumers. It was launched in 2017 by the Odisha government to provide a direct marketing channel for farmers and to ensure that consumers get fresh and affordable produce. Uzhavar Santhai is held every week at different locations in the state. Farmers can sell their produce at Uzhavar Santhai without any middlemen. This helps them to get a better price for their produce and also to save on transportation costs. Consumers can buy fresh and affordable produce at Uzhavar Santhai.
The other options are incorrect because:
- b) APMC Mandi system is a system of agricultural markets in India that is regulated by the Agricultural Produce Marketing Committee (APMC) Act. The APMC Act was enacted in 1956 to regulate the marketing of agricultural produce and to ensure that farmers get a fair price for their produce. The APMC Mandi system is not a platform for farmers to directly sell their produce to consumers.
- c) e-NAM (National Agriculture Market) is an online platform for the trading of agricultural produce. It was launched in 2016 by the Government of India to provide a single-window access to agricultural markets across the country. e-NAM is not a platform for farmers to directly sell their produce to consumers.
- d) Cooperative marketing societies are organizations of farmers that are formed to market their produce. Cooperative marketing societies are not a platform for farmers to directly sell their produce to consumers.