Modern industrial food production's advantages over prior methods are largely based on modern cheap, fast

transport and limited product variability. But transport costs and delays cannot be completely eliminated. So, where
distance strained industrial suppliers' reach, where consumers had strong preference for local variety, farmers'
markets remained competitive with other forms of food retail. Recently, consumer demand for foods that are fresher
(spend less time in transit) and foods with more varietyhas led to growth of farmers' markets as preferred food-
retailing mechanisms.
Farmers' markets can offer farmers increased profit over selling to wholesalers, food processors, or large grocery
firms. This, due to the fact that the middlemen are locked out of the chain.[3] By selling directly to consumers,
produce often needs: less transport less handling less refrigeration less time in storage
By selling in an outdoor market, the cost of land, buildings, lighting and air-conditioning is also reduced or
eliminated. Farmers may also retain profit on produce not sold to consumers, by selling the excess to canneries and
other food-processing firms. At the market, farmers can retain the full premium for part of their produce, instead of
only a processor's wholesale price for the entire lot.
Where consumers perceive the farmers' produce as of equal or better quality than produce available through grocers,
farmers may retain most of the cost savings to themselves. Some farmers also prefer the simplicity, immediacy,
transparency and independence of selling direct to consumers. By contrast, relations with agricultural conglomerates
can be burdened with quite complex contractual details.
To communitiesAmong the benefits often touted for communities with farmers' markets:
Farmers' markets help maintain important social ties, linking rural and urban populations and even close
neighbors in mutually rewarding exchange.[4] market traffic generates traffic for nearby businesses buying at
markets encourages attention to the surrounding area and ongoing activities
by providing outlets for 'local' products, farmers' markets help create distinction and uniqueness, which can
increase pride and encourage visitors to return.
Reduced transport, storage, and refrigeration can benefit communities too:
lower transport & refrigeration energy costs lower transport pollution lower transport Infrastructure cost
(roads, bridges, etc.) less land dedicated to food storage
Farmers' markets may also contribute to innovative distribution means that strengthen civic engagement by reducing
the social distances between urban and rural communities. With fewer intermediaries, the support of independent
growers by local community members can enhance local economic opportunities and health & wellness in poor
communities. [23][6]
To consumers
Consumers often favor farmers' markets for:
reduced overhead: driving, parking, etc. fresher foods seasonal foods healthier foods
a better variety of foods, e.g.: organic foods, pasture-raised meats, free-range eggs and poultry, handmade
farmstead cheeses, heirloom produce heritage breeds of meat and many less transport-immune cultivars disfavored
by large grocers
a place to meet neighbors, chat, etc. a place to enjoy an outdoor walk while getting needed groceries
Individuals often favor farmers' markets as a way to personally contribute to the community benefits of reducing
transport, storage, & refrigeration.According to Farmers Markets of America, customers drawn to farmers markets
shop locally for three main reasons: food quality, better prices, and a great social atmosphere.[7]Evidence seems to
show that overall prices at a typical farmers' market are lower than prices at a supermarket because the process of
production is more concise; there is less distance to travel and fewer middlemen.[5]
Based on a figure shown in Farmers Markets of America, the prices at a farmers' market are lower than prices at a
supermarket 91% of the time.[7]Another reason that many shop at farmers' markets is that they provide produce at a
much higher quality. Robert Sommer argues in his book that there is no question that farmers market produce is
fresher and more flavorful.
You plant a crop of turnips, use the profits from that to plant a crop of tomatoes, make money to finance the crop of
potatoes and etc. but to really know your costs and make sure you are selling crops for more than it costs to grow.
I know that sounds I mean you go duh! But you wouldnt believe how many farmers dont know their costs of
production.
Production --> Harvesting, primary processing and storage --> Transport and logistics --> sales and marketing
Production- Pre-production decisions based on accumulated market knowledge and intelligence, access to inputs
Harv - Harvesting dates affected by market prices, grades adjusted on basis of market information, strong decisions
based on market knowledge and access and costs of storage
Transport- Arranging the aggregation of product & consolidation of loads, seeking lower-cost transport and
improved arrangements
Sales and mkt- Establish supply , demand and prices; real-time market research and negotiation
Sustainable farming needs math
Theres a saying that farmers are always price takers, not price makers. You have to become a farmer who is a price
maker. You have to distinguish your product from the masses in the market.We really need to be growing the
highest quality, most nutrient-dense produce. Unfortunately we dont have the tools to assess that cheaply on a daily
basis. If you can do that, you are a price maker.If you are just selling into an amorphous market, under someone
elses label, you are a price taker. But if you are selling locally, you can really identify your customers. We
established our name and our label and found a few thousand people who would support it. You just carve out your
constituency, figure out how to produce what they need, and get them to understand that they need to pay you fairly
for it.
If we are serious about sustainability, we cannot continue to farm in ways that deplete soil, pollute water, reduce
biodiversity, and impoverish rural communities. We need a new agricultural toolkit. Crops require fertile soil and
protection from weeds and insect pests in order to produce the food we need. Sustainable agriculture meets these
requirements with sophisticated management practices grounded in the science of agroecology, which views farms
as ecosystems made up of interacting elementssoil, water, plants, and animalsthat can be modified to solve
problems, maximize yields, and conserve resources.
Research has shown that agroecologically based methodssuch as organic fertilizers, crop rotation, and cover
cropscan succeed in meeting our food needs while avoiding the harmful impacts of industrial agriculture.
Our food system is brokenbut science can help fix it.
This policy failure is contributing to a massive and costly public health crisis, as rates of chronic, diet-related
diseases like diabetes, hypertension, and heart disease have shot upeven, increasingly, among children.And the
same policies that encourage unhealthy food production also support an outdated, unsustainable system of industrial
agriculture, which has damaging impacts on soil, air, water, human health, and rural economies.Theres a better
way.Smart, science-based food and farm policies can increase every Americans access to fresh fruits and
vegetables, saving thousands of lives and billions of health care dollars in the process.And by encouraging farmers
to grow a diverse mix of foods using modern, sustainable methods, healthy food policies will also help keep U.S.
agriculture productive for the long term.With powerful interests defending current policies, transforming our food
system in a healthier direction will not be easy. But we can do itand our future depends on it.
Agriculture in the United States has taken the wrong road, and it isn't working.The wealthiest nation in the world is
feeding its citizens an unhealthy dietand growing most of this food using unsustainable methods. The results? A
population threatened by a crisis of diet-related chronic illness; millions of acres of damaged farmland; chemical
runoff spilling into our waterways.Our food system, for all its vaunted productivity, is failing us.
To create marketing opportunities for small and marginal farmers in cultivation of fruits, vegetables and flowers
by formation of groups which includes production, storing and export. Establishment and maintenance of
regulated markets in order to facilitate buying and selling of agricultural produce for the benefit of the farming
community. Grading of agricultural produce in the regulated markets and at farm holdings to help the producers to
get remunerative price for their produce. To create awareness among the farmers about the benefits of grading,
marketing, value addition and processing their produce through regulated markets by taking up training, publicity
and propaganda.
To set up Agriculture Export Zones for promoting export of agricultural produce by increasing the area under
exportable crops, providing necessary post harvest management and other infrastructure required and information on
prices prevailing at international markets as an integrated approach through computers. To take up Agmark
grading of agricultural, animal husbandry and forestry products for the benefit of the consumers. To set up modern
cold storage facilities to enable the farmers to store and sell their produce at favourable price and to help consumers
to get quality food products. Food Processing Industries are promoted to minimise wastage of agricultural
products,
to increase employment opportunities and to enhance foreign exchange.provide safe, nutritious food to all these
people?
Biotechnology in agriculture is the use of technology to make advances in crop production and in animals. Seed
technology has changed from the past to today, where crops are able to withstand harsh weather conditions such as
drought and flooding. In the past, whole harvests could have been destroyed by a drought because the plants were
not designed to withstand those conditions. But now, thanks to biotechnology and genetic engineering, crops are
able to withstand harsh conditions which means that even in bad weather years, farmers are still able to harvest
crops and provide food to the market. Farmers can grow a variety of things in their fields because seeds are designed
to adapt to different conditions. This means that farmers can grow different foods and add diversity into our diets.
Pesticides and herbicides, when used in moderation by farmers, offer the chance to protect crops against unwanted
pests such as insects and weeds. By decreasing the amount of pests, farmers are able to yield more food which
allows them to sell more food to the market and ensure that people have enough to eat.