Design Approach for Better Agro-Markets in India

Transcription

1 Design Approach for Better Agro-Markets in India 1 Ashish Choudhary, 2 Ar.Nitesh Dogne, 1 Manvendra Singh Thakur 1 Department of Architecture, MITS, Gwalior, India 2 Assistant Professor, 2 Anand College of Architecture, Agra, India nitesh.arch@gmail.com Abstract India is known worldwide for agriculture as its major industry. Land area of arable land in our country is million hectares (394.6 million acres) which is listed as the second largest of world, first is The United States. India is among the top global producers of many crops that includes wheat, cotton, pulses, rice, ground-nuts, fruits and vegetables. A major part of National economy depends on agriculture and jobs or businesses associated with it. It is a good fact that most of land of country contribute for this use but, however, farmers are not satisfied with the agro-market. Though being the major industry, people associated with it have to face many challenges in the markets of agriculture, mainly financially weak farmers. Among many challenges for farmers, poor conditions of Agro-Markets or Mandis in our country are one of major challenge. Being the main spot of business of these big industries, they shall be up-lifted. The aim of this research is to derive a design approach for Agro-Markets in our country, independent of what is the major crop of that particular area. Set of parameters, that how Agro-Markets should be designed will be listed at the end of paper. Keywords: Agro-markets, services, circulation, shelter, visual design, business oriented architecture, wholesale, retail, user friendly LITERATURE COLLECTION Agriculture in India There has been concern in recent years regarding the efficiency of marketing of fruits, vegetables and other agricultural products, leading to high and fluctuating consumer price and only a small share of consumer rupee reaching to the farmer. Marketing of fruits and vegetables is complex because of perishability, seasonality and bulkiness. Low efficiency in the marketing channels and inadequate marketing infrastructure are believed to be the cause for fluctuating prices. Indian 1 Page 1-9 MAT Journals All Rights Reserved

2 farmers depend heavily on middlemen in fruits and vegetable marketing. In the recent past, several private companies entered the business of marketing of agricultural products. Therefore, an indepth study of their operations vis-à-vis the existing public/people/member based organisations like Agriculture Produce and Marketing Committee (APMC) and producer cooperatives would help in designing suitable strategies for improving the efficiency of marketing of agricultural products [1]. Fruits and vegetable crops assume a unique role in India s economy by improving the income of the rural households. Cultivation crops are labour intensive and hence, generate lot of employment opportunities for the rural population. Fruits and vegetables are rich source of vitamins, minerals, proteins, carbohydrates etc. and hence, referred as protective foods and contribute to the nutritional security of the people [2]. Thus, cultivation of fruits and vegetables plays a vital role in the prosperity of a nation and is directly linked with the health and happiness of the people. Fruits and vegetables are not only used for domestic consumption and processing into various products (pickles, preserves, sauces, jam, jelly) but also for export and import which obviously help in economic growth of our country. While on other hand, crops like grains and pulses are also major products and as useful as fruits and vegetables for nourishment of people and up-gradation of economy [3]. India with more than million tonnes of fruits and million tonnes of vegetables is the second largest producer of fruits and vegetables in the world next to China (National Horticulture Board). However, per capita consumption of fruits and vegetables in India is only around 74 g and 207 g against a minimum of about 120 g and 300 g, respectively recommended by Indian Council of Medical Research, New Delhi and National Institute of Nutrition, Hyderabad. 2 Page 1-9 MAT Journals All Rights Reserved

3 Current State of Agriculture Marking in India India is experiencing a phenomenal rapid growth in infrastructure. The envisaged infrastructure expenditure in the Eleventh Plan has been 20 lakh crore which is 2 3 times more than the expenditure recorded in the Tenth Plan. Similarly, investment in agricultural marketing infrastructure was estimated to the tune of crore Rupees for the Eleventh Plan. The current momentum in infrastructure spending is to be stepped up further to ensure India s vision to emerge as agricultural and horticultural advanced country [4]. If Indian agriculture has to emerge globally competitive, more investment in infrastructure are needed that can promote efficiency by reducing transaction costs and market risks. The prevalence of high levy charges in regulated markets also contributed to the sale of products by farmers at lower prices. According to another estimate, the farm-gate prices for vegetables and fruits range between per cent of the eventual retail prices in India. In developed countries, such as the USA, the UK and Japan, the farm-gate prices for such products range between per cent of retail prices (Mohan, 2002). In order to assess the adequacy of agricultural marketing infrastructure in the country, it is imperative to estimate the marketed surplus. Generally, there is a positive correlation between production and marketed surplus. In the past 30 years, while the production of food grains and non-food grains has approximately doubled, the production of vegetables, fruits, flowers and spices has risen even faster in response to the changing consumption pattern of the population. According to an estimate, the production of potatoes has multiplied by 12 times over the past three decades (Mohan, 2002) [5]. Hence there is an urgent need to develop rural periodic markets in a phased manner with necessary infrastructural amenities to have a strong grassroot level link in the marketing chain. The investment requirement for developing these market places was estimated at 2,146 crore. There is also a strong need for developing specialised markets for fruits and vegetables, flowers, cattle, etc. It has been assessed that there are at least 241 such places in the country where fruits and vegetables markets could be developed. The investment requirement for these markets was estimated to be around 970 crore. Besides, there is an urgent need to turn these markets into growth centres of farming community. Keeping these facts in view, an attempt has been made to examine the existing availability of different agricultural marketing 3 Page 1-9 MAT Journals All Rights Reserved

4 infrastructure and its adequacy for marketing of fruits and vegetables in the study area [6]. of which markets and Mandis are root as it is the spot where actual business takes place [7]. Literature Review Analysing the data collected so far part results that we are lacking in proper marketing and business strategies between Buyers and Indian farmers, though the agricultural production of crops is nowhere weak. The review of literature is short and simple that we need to give a strong backbone the agro-marketing style INTRODUCTION Mandi or Agro-Markets As the name suggest it is a market purposed solely for wholesale and retail of agricultural products that are grown by farmers at a distance from that spot, and the energy of both buyer and seller is saved and also mutual business relations are established for future. The Mandi is a very important place for a farmer and a very important aspect of his life [8, 9]. This is the place to showcase his art he worked on, for the whole year. Indian style of Agro-Marketing holds Mandi as a prized possession. A Mandi generally have both types of business, i.e., Wholesale Business and Retail Business. Features of a Good Mandi: Provide a comfort to both seller and buyer for a better business. Prominent when it comes to climate and weather so that seller and buyer can rely on it for their business. 4 Page 1-9 MAT Journals All Rights Reserved

5 Have a design that promotes better and controlled movements for a better management system. Primarily provide protection to agricultural products. Areas and Spaces in Mandi: Entry. Weigh Bridge. Secure Go-downs and Cold Stores for Proper storage. Toilets/WCs. Selling Area with Truck Dock. Drinking Water Facilities. Proper Garbage Disposal. Management Block. PROBLEMS ENCOUNTERED BY USERS IN MANDI Circulation Any market needs proper space for circulation that shall be properly designed. Just like that agro-market should also have a properly designed circulation. It importantly shall be paved as in rainy season unpaved area creates mess. Also, the circulation area can be covered if the market is located in an area with hot climate. Separate Area for Wholesale and Retail Generally, it is seen that in Agro-Markets both Wholesale and Retail business takes place at the same time creating congestion for both vehicular and manual circulation. These conditions are unsafe as well as challenging for smooth business. Obviously there shall be separate areas forboth as space and circulation requirement is different for both types of businesses. Bovine and Stray Animals As vegetable, fruits and other agricultural products and their waste is readily there for livestock, and also there is no gated control for animals like cows, buffalos, monkeys etc. in agro-markets and Mandis, they wander here and there in search of some food. This creates mess in agromarkets and hinders the business and circulation of market. Shopkeepers get frustrated and also there are chances of mishap like vehicle accident or the bovine may sometime get restless and attack shopper and keepers. Truck-Docks The area for loading and un-loading may not be sometimes designed properly with nominal heights and widths of smooth transactions. Properly designed truck-dock is a very important factor as it saves time and labor, resulting in better economic output. 5 Page 1-9 MAT Journals All Rights Reserved

6 Storage This is a very major problem for farmers, who come from far to the market to sell their goods. They do not find a secure place for storage of their good. They have to stay back for the safety of goods until the stock last or have to spend money on appointing third party. While this is the duty of authorities to design a storage space for them at the first place which provides safety from theft, weather, and also form bovines and other livestock. Proper Sanitation Many famous agro-markets of India lack many things when it comes to proper sanitation. Like any other public place Mandi also needs a proper sanitation system. Shelter Majorly the market is situated in urban area or close to it for better business output, so it is obvious that farmers from distant areas and villages will approach there and will have to stay there for days. So there shall be provision of shelter for such sellers and buyers who approach market from a distance with proper facilities, services and management. Garbage Disposal Many markets lack this to an extent. Waste from vegetables and fruits shall be properly disposed as when they come in contact with accumulated water, give room to many diseases. This waste if in good condition like in many conditions can be fed to livestock outside the Mandi and can be sometimes used for bio-gas. DESIGN PARAMETERS AND SOLUTIONS Entry Entry of Agro-Market shall be controlled to avoid bovine and other stray animal to enter the premises. There shall be separate entry and exit for people oriented with wholesale business, so as to avoid congestion. Entry shall be designed properly so as to avoid congestion of vehicles and people if is the same. For Better Circulation Wide and paved movement area for buyers shall be provided. If Mandi is in hot climate the circulation area needs to be covered with shading devices. Area Segregation For better results area must be separated on the basis of type of 6 Page 1-9 MAT Journals All Rights Reserved

7 business, i.e., wholesale area and retail areas shall be different. Segregation on the basis of product type can also be beneficial asdedicated for major crop must be larger and for other crop can be optimum as sale of major crop is usually much. Separate area for grains, vegetables, fruits and flowers will also result in smooth circulation and better business. Storage Storage for stalls and shops must be close to them designing it overhead is best option. Common cold-storage facility must be there in case of vegetables and fruits. Go-downs with proper access shall be provided. Storage of any type shall be given on an average height so as to avoid attack of bovines, insects and also during rains it will be safe if by chance water accumulates. Truck-Dock Truck-docks near storage shall be designed on an optimum height flexible enough for various types of trucks and other loading vehicles. Shelter Design Shelter in the market for sellers and buyers who come from a distance must be designed full of services and safety as they may carry a large amount for buying or from selling the goods. Apart from shelter, retiring area for buyers should also be there. Garbage Disposal Dust-bin shall be designed level-wise and load-wise. Disposal of garbage shall be at an optimum distance to avoid foul smell and infections. If possible waste must be segregated andif possible must be first fed to livestock. Deserving waste can be used in biowaste production, if used smartly and the energy can be used in market itself in cold-storage or anywhere else. Services Services for farmers, sellers and buyers shall be provided in design so as there is no problem of sanitation and storm water runoff is faced by them. At optimum distances there shall be drinking water foundations for both sellers and buyers. 7 Page 1-9 MAT Journals All Rights Reserved

8 Wash areas for shopkeepers shall be provided at proper intervals. Dust-bins with load divided equally shall be provided at proper distances and intervals. Visual Design Use of big sign boards digital or nondigital for display of current rates of products availability of stock. Visual design and text used on boards must also be in local language so it will be easy for people from rural area to be in flow with current rates. Also announcements of information shall be done for those who cannot read the sign boards. Business Oriented Architecture Shops and Stalls must be designed in such a manner that no shop is hidden and every shop and store must get equal importance. Design of shops must be in a manner so that every product on sale shall be visible to buyer. CONCLUSION These were some of basic parameters that can be applied while designing a Mandi or Agro-Market. If observed keenly, some more inventions can also be made in these parameters for better approach and business oriented results.these measures are recommended for uplifting the marketing of agro-products in the country. These major parameters emerge from the studies reported on improving the marketing status of mandis in India. First, it is very important to bring some markets under regulation of these parameters and put them under the supervision of a wellmanaged market committee. Second, it is quite important to promote, and even enforce through rules or regulation, on these parameters in the markets. Third, it is important to spread knowledge about these types of markets and bring more numbers of buyers and sellers to the wholesale markets so as to get better results. Besides these measures, improvements in infrastructure and management such as cold storage, security, better loading and weighing facilities, proper waste management, proper stalls, more improvised adverts, better road links etc. would also be helpful in getting more of the marketing efficiency. Efforts to improve the transparency in the market operations through better supervision by the market committee and authorities would be another important factor in improving the marketing efficiency. 8 Page 1-9 MAT Journals All Rights Reserved

9 REFERENCES 1. Agro Economic Research Centre, Chennai, Marketing of Fruits and Vegetables in and 2. Around Chennai, University of madras, (Research Study No.130). 3. Arya, Anita Agricultural Marketing in Gujarat, Concept Publishing Co. Ltd., New Delhi, Ashturker B.M, C.D. Deole. Producers Share in consumers rupee: A case study of fruit marketing in Marathwada. Indian Journal of Agricultural Economics. 1985; 40(3). 5. Bhatt B.D. et al. An analysis of arrivals and prices of important vegetable crops in ahmedabad regulated market in Gujarat state. Indian Journal of Agricultural Marketing. 1988; 1(1). 6. Charan A.S., SP Seetharaman, SL Bapna, Agricultural marketing system in Gujarat: A perspective. Gujarat Economic Conference; Dave V.J. Economics of export oriented horticultural crops in chiku (sapota) in Gujarat. Agro-Economic Research Centre, VallabhVidyanagar, Gujarat; Dattatreyulu M., Export potential of fruits, vegetables and flowers from India. National Bank for Agriculture and Rural Development, Mumbai; Dhar M.K., BA Baig. Price structure of Kashmir apples. Indian Journal of Agricultural Economics. 1985; 40(3). 10. P. Gandhi, N.V. Namboodiri. Fruit and vegetable marketing and its efficiency in India: A study of wholesale markets in the Ahmedabad area vasant. Indian Institute of Management, Ahmedabad; Page 1-9 MAT Journals All Rights Reserved