Structured Market Linkage Project
Connecting NASFAM cooperatives to premium domestic buyers, regional exporters, and fair-trade networks through formal contract arrangements.
Programme photo
Programme Objectives
- Establish pre-season offtake contracts between farmer clusters and verified buyers
- Introduce commodity grading and aggregation infrastructure at association level
- Develop market information systems providing real-time price data to farmer groups
- Build farmer negotiation skills and awareness of contract rights and obligations
The Structured Market Linkage Project addresses one of the most persistent constraints facing NASFAM member farmers — the inability to access fair and predictable prices for their produce. By establishing formal contractual arrangements between farmer clusters and commercial buyers before the planting season begins, the programme shifts farmers from the uncertainty of spot markets to structured trading relationships that reward quality and reliability.
Commodity grading stations have been established at 28 district association warehouses under the programme, equipped with weighing equipment, moisture meters, and sorting facilities. Farmer group leaders trained as quality officers assess incoming produce lots against defined grade specifications, with premium prices offered for lots meeting higher standards. This quality incentive has driven significant investment by farmers in better post-harvest handling practices.
A market information system, accessible via SMS and a basic mobile application, provides participating farmer groups with weekly commodity price data from key district markets, regional hubs, and export reference prices. Farmers report using this information to time their sales more strategically and to assess whether buyer offers are fair relative to prevailing market rates.
Programme impact assessments conducted after the second trading season showed that participating households earned on average 34% more per kilogram of produce sold compared to the previous season, driven by the combination of better prices from structured buyers, grade premiums, and reduced losses from improved storage and handling.
Programme Partners