Theme T139 · Agriculture & Food

Agricultural marketing & supply chains: APMC, intermediaries

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What UPSC asks

Repeated: inefficiency of agri marketing, supply chain management, upstream and downstream bottlenecks, transport and marketing constraints, supermarkets cutting intermediaries, and whether APMCs caused food inflation.

Prepare these

• APMC system and model APMC Act
• e-NAM, FPOs
• Cold chain and storage gaps
• Supermarkets, contract farming, e-commerce

Answer writing

• Problem → reforms; cite e-NAM data

Directive words in these PYQs: Examine (2), Explain (1), Elaborate (1), Critically (1).

Linked themes

Comes back later in

Later themes that take this one further.

Syllabus lines covered

• GS3-L4 — Major crops cropping patterns in various parts of the country, different types of irrigation and irrigation systems storage, transport and marketing of agricultural produce and issues and related constraints; e-technology in the aid of farmers
• GS3-L6 — Food processing and related industries in India- scope and significance, location, upstream and downstream requirements, supply chain management.

All 6 PYQs, newest first

1. GS3202610 marks · 150 wordsGS3-AGR-02-M2026-S01

   Explain the factors responsible for inefficiency of agri-produce marketing. How e-commerce helps to reduce inefficiency of agri-produce marketing? Explain.

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2. GS3202510 marks · 150 wordsGS3-AGR-02-M2025-Q04

   Elaborate the scope and significance of supply chain management of agricultural commodities in India.

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3. GS3202215 marks · 250 wordsGS3-AGR-02-M2022-Q13

   What are the main bottlenecks in upstream and downstream process of marketing of agricultural products in India?

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4. GS32020GS3-AGR-02-M2020-S01

   What are the main constraints in transport and marketing of agricultural produce in India?

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5. GS32018GS3-AGR-02-M2018-S01

   Examine the role of supermarkets in supply chain management of fruits, vegetables, and food items. How do they eliminate number of intermediaries?

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6. GS32014GS3-AGR-02-M2014-S01

   There is also a point of view that Agricultural Produce Market Committees (APMCs) set up under the State Acts have not only impeded the development of agriculture but also have been the cause of food inflation in India. Critically examine.

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