Integrated Scheme for Agricultural Marketing (ISAM): Modernizing India’s Agricultural Market Infrastructure

 Launched on 1st April 2014, the Integrated Scheme for Agricultural Marketing (ISAM) is a comprehensive initiative aimed at developing and modernizing the agricultural marketing ecosystem in India. The scheme’s primary objective is to enhance the infrastructure for agricultural marketing, promote the adoption of innovative technologies, and encourage private and cooperative sector investments. This helps ensure that farmers receive a fair price commensurate with the quality of their produce, while reducing post-harvest losses through better storage and handling.

ISAM supports the creation of scientific storage capacities for farm produce, facilitates general awareness campaigns, and provides training to farmers, entrepreneurs, and market stakeholders on critical aspects like grading, standardization, and quality certification. This integrated approach is designed to boost market efficiency and transparency across the agricultural value chain.

The scheme comprises several sub-schemes, including:

• Agricultural Marketing Infrastructure (AMI): Focuses on building market infrastructure, storage facilities, and integrated value chain projects to improve market access.

• Marketing Research and Information Network (MRIN): Provides updated market information to stakeholders.

• Strengthening of Agmark Grading Facilities (SAGF): Enhances grading and quality certification capabilities.

• Agri-Business Development (ABD): Supports entrepreneurship and venture capital assistance in agribusiness.

• Project Development Facility (PDF): Facilitates project preparation and development.

• Choudhary Charan Singh National Institute of Agriculture Marketing (NIAM): Offers training and research in agricultural marketing.

With an overall budget allocation of ₹4,548 crores during the XII Plan, ISAM aims to develop around 4,000 marketing infrastructure projects and create a storage capacity of 23 million tonnes across India. This ambitious program is instrumental in strengthening the agricultural marketing framework, increasing farmers’ incomes, and fostering sustainable rural development.