1. NIRD-AGMARKNET P.K.Suri National Project Director (AGMARKNET) National Informatics Centre, Deptt. Of Information Technology, A-Block,CGOComplex,Lodhi Road, New Delhi E-mail: pksuri@hub.nic.in (http://agmarknet.nic.in) AGMARKNET: A Farmers Centric Portal on Agricultural Marketing in India and a step towards Globalizing Indian Agriculture

2. OBJECTIVES To establish a nation wide communication network for effective and speedy information exchange in Agricultural Marketing related areas To empower farming community with market information, thereby expanding marketing opportunities for obtaining better returns to farmers. ORGANIZATIONS INVOLVED Joint Collaboration between the Directorate of Marketing & Inspection (DMI), National Informatics Centre (NIC), State Governments and Mandis (APMCs) AGMARKNET: A Farmers Centric Portal on Agricultural Marketing in India and a step towards Globalizing Indian Agriculture

3. NICNET based AGRICULTURAL MARKETING INFORMATION NETWORK (AGMARKNET) DELIVERABLES COMPUTING FACILITIES AND NETWORKING of MARKETS TRAINING of MARKET PERSONNEL DATABASE PORTAL ON MARKET INFORMATION

4. NICNET based AGRICULTURAL MARKETING INFORMATION NETWORK (AGMARKNET) STATUS 735 markets connected. Operationalization at further 532 in pipeline About 1000 personnel trained so far 600+ markets regularly reporting price related data. ( ~300 commodities and ~2000 varieties) Portal launched to facilitate single window service for accessing agricultural marketing related information Hindi Interface for accessing prices and arrivals information launched

5. NICNET based AGRICULTURAL MARKETING INFORMATION NETWORK (AGMARKNET) STATUS Commodity specific links provided to Commodity Directorates of Department of Agriculture & Co-operation Linked with National Commodity exchanges to provide future prices Collaboration with IFFCO for dissemination of market information to farmers co-operatives through multimedia kiosks Dissemination through mobile phones being worked out with BSNL

6. NICNET based AGRICULTURAL MARKETING INFORMATION NETWORK (AGMARKNET) Further Expansion and Strengthening during X Plan 2000 more markets to be connected during X Plan Dissemination in local languages GIS based National Atlas of Markets

7. AGMARKNET - A step towards Agricultural Marketing Reforms in India Networking of APMCs for dissemination of arrivals & prices and marketing Information; Presently Operational at 735 markets + 75 SMBs, DMI offices Additional 2000 APMCs during 2002-07

9. NICNET based AGRICULTURAL MARKETING INFORMATION NETWORK (AGMARKNET) From ‘Deadlock Mode’ to ‘Delivery Mode’ : Hard Journey & Trodden Path Complexities involved in implementation (several non ICT issues : autonomous nature of markets, multiple & remote locations, reluctance for reporting …..) Constant monitoring and efforts at various levels still required for sustaining and strengthening the project: Evolutionary Process

10.  Crops Directorates (9) [Wheat, Jute, Cotton, Rice, Sugarcane, Millets, Oil Seeds, Pulses, Tobacco]  Technology Mission on Horticulture  Coconut Development Board IFFCO Network Area Office Kiosk DMI, Headquarters AGMAKRNET http://agmarknet.nic.in Area Office Farmers Markets DMI State Offices(27) IFFCO Local News papers Notice Board / Electronic Board Regional Office IFFCO Network CDB CDB Network Farmers Call Centres Agri-clinics Mobile Operators farmers State Mkts./ Directorates (50) Regional Portals (8 already approved) Farming Community Public Access Mobile users Remote Updation Database Snapshots WAP/SMPP/HTTP Daily Data Downloading AGMARKNET: Broad Frame Work Existing In Pipeline In Near Future

11. Thank You AGMARKNET: A Step Towards Globalization of Indian Agriculture