NAFED – National Agricultural Cooperative Marketing Federation of India Ltd.

The National Agricultural Cooperative Marketing Federation of India Limited (NAFED) is a apex body of 16 State Cooperative Marketing Federations (SCMFs) and 5 Central Cooperative Marketing Federations (CCMFs) in India. Established in 1952, NAFED is a leading organization in the agricultural marketing sector, promoting the growth and development of the agriculture industry.

Key Objectives:

• Market-led price discovery: NAFED operates a nationwide network of market intelligence centers, providing real-time information on agricultural commodity prices.
• Price stability: NAFED intervenes in the market to stabilize prices, ensuring fair returns for farmers.
• Increased marketing opportunities: NAFED provides platforms and services to connect farmers with buyers, enhancing their access to markets.
• Quality control: NAFED implements quality standards for agricultural products, ensuring the authenticity and purity of goods.
• Logistics and infrastructure: NAFED provides logistics and infrastructure support to farmers, including transportation and storage facilities.
• Capacity building: NAFED offers training programs and educational resources to empower farmers and cooperatives.

Major Activities:

• Market intelligence and price stabilization: NAFED monitors market trends and interventions to stabilize prices.
• Procurement and sales: NAFED procures agricultural commodities from farmers and sells them to buyers in domestic and international markets.
• Commodity trading: NAFED engages in trading of agricultural commodities to influence market stability.
• Grading and quality certification: NARED establishes quality standards and certifies agricultural products.
• Infrastructure development: NAFED provides logistics and infrastructure services, such as warehousing and transportation.
• Capacity building: NAFED offers training programs and educational resources to farmers and cooperatives.

Benefits to Farmers:

• Access to fair prices
• Improved market access
• Enhanced quality control
• Logistics and infrastructure support
• Capacity building opportunities

Overall, NAFED plays a crucial role in the Indian agricultural sector by connecting farmers with markets, stabilizing prices, and providing a range of services to enhance their productivity and income.