As the agriculture sector plays a crucial role in the Indian economy, it is essential to offer farmers accessible solutions to manage their farming activities. Though many initiatives have been taken by the government and private organizations to support farmers, they still face challenges in getting proper market rates for their produce.
To address this issue, some farmers have proposed setting up a mandi rate and USSD SMS facility on mobile phones. These facilities will enable farmers to get the current market prices for their crops, allowing them to make better decisions about selling their produce.
The mandi rate facility will offer farmers real-time updates on the market price of crops in nearby mandis. Farmers can access this information on their mobile phones, eliminating the need to travel to various markets to collect the information. The facility will also help farmers to choose the best time to sell their crops, enabling them to get better prices.
The USSD SMS facility will be like an interactive voice response (IVR) system, where farmers can call a toll-free number and navigate a menu to get information on crop prices, weather conditions, soil testing, farming techniques and more. The menu will be available in multiple languages, making it easier for farmers from different regions to use.
The mandi rate and USSD SMS facilities will not only benefit farmers, but they will also help regulate the market by providing valuable information to traders and buyers. It will promote transparency and competition in the market, leading to fair prices for both farmers and traders.
In conclusion, setting up a mandi rate and USSD SMS facility on mobile phones will be a great initiative to empower farmers and provide them with real-time information on market rates. It will benefit both farmers and traders and promote transparency, competition, and fair prices in the market. With such facilities, farmers can make better-informed decisions and improve their livelihoods.