Topic – transport and marketing of agricultural produce and issues and related constraints
5)The aim of creating a truly unified NAM with an efficient price discovery mechanism is still a far-fetched dream. Critically examine.(250 words)
Why this question
NAM has been in news since the present government has come in power as APMC reforms were high on the government agenda, so was e-NAM. It would be an opportune moment for stock taking on the reforms that have taken place in the arena of transport and marketing of agricultural produce.
Key demand of the question
The focus of the question is on establishing the progress that has been made when it comes to creating a truly unified NAM that serves two major purposes – unify agricultural markets so as to deal with the fragmentation of markets and enable efficient price discovery. We have to critically examine the progress that has been made in achieving this. If not, then how to ensure that unified NAM will be a reality.
Directive word
Critically examine – When you are asked to examine, you have to probe deeper into the topic, get into details, and find out the causes or implications if any . When ‘critically’ is suffixed or prefixed to a directive, all you need to do is look at the good and bad of something and give a fair judgement.
Structure of the answer
Introduction – We have to mention that agriculture has been a focus area with promises of doubling farmers income by 2022. Marketing reforms are a crucial piece in that jigsaw puzzle.
Body
- Highlight the issues with agricultural markets
- Highlight what the objective of the present government has been – eNAM and how that would bring in the advantages being talked about in the question
- Also the kind of reforms required in APMC
- The progress in achieving a unified national market needs to be examined – bring out both the hits and misses (latter will be more)
- Thereafter, examine how can we improve the marketing of agricultural produce going ahead
Conclusion – Mention the critical role that unified market will play in improving the status quo of the farmers and how to bring in reforms.
