Experts call for shaping inclusive markets for small farmers to enhance livelihood security

Shaping fair and inclusive markets to improve livelihood security for small and marginal farmers and strengthen local food systems, experts and agricultural practitioners called at a national conference here over the weekend. Emphasis has also been given to ecological farming in Rajasthan.

The two-day conference, titled “Food systems transformation: From ecological farms to fair markets”, was organized by Vaagdhara, a Banswara-based volunteer group working on tribal livelihood issues, in collaboration with Welthungerhilfe (WHH) and the World Solidarity Center in Germany.

Researchers and policymakers from eight states debated solutions to climate-induced crop losses, fluctuating incomes, rising production costs and limited access to stable and fair markets. The need to create an enabling policy environment to create resilient food value chains and market systems was emphasized at the conference.

Vaagdhara secretary Jayesh Joshi said restoration of independent systems is necessary to create ‘market swaraj’ (self-reliance) for small farmers who cannot be replaced by machinery. “There is no need for external certification. Farmers can engage directly with consumers,” he said.

Water conservation expert Laxman Singh emphasized on preserving the traditional wisdom of the villagers for optimum use of water for irrigation. National Agricultural Marketing Institute Director Sapna Narula said gender inequality is an important issue that needs to be addressed in the food value chain.

More than 40 farmer-producer organizations (FPOs) and small and medium-sized enterprises showcased their organic and natural products in an exhibition, highlighting the economic potential of sustainable agriculture. States represented at the conference were Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh, Punjab, Haryana, Odisha, Jharkhand, West Bengal and Uttarakhand.

Discussions focused on future trends and market opportunities, as well as policy dialogue to create smallholder-friendly markets, strengthen ecological value chains and improve market linkages for FPOs. Speakers also said the entry of major agricultural market players will significantly impact demand patterns for local food systems.