authors
Bandna Ranga

abstract
Farmers are the lifeline of Haryana’s rural economy, yet their ability to earn fair and stable incomes depends greatly on how efficiently agricultural marketing systems function. Haryana has achieved remarkable growth in wheat and paddy production and is a major contributor to India’s food security, supported by a strong MSP-backed procurement network. However, farmers growing mustard, pulses, cotton, vegetables and fruits continue to face significant marketing challenges. Limited competition in mandis, dependence on arhtiyas, price volatility, irregular procurement for non-MSP crops and gaps in storage, cold chain and processing often force distress sales and reduce farm incomes. Infrastructure improvements such as increased mandi yards, expanded grain storage and rural link roads have helped but inadequate cold storage and weak value-addition facilities still constrain perishable crop growers. Many farmers lack timely market information, real bargaining power and access to alternative buyers, which deepens vulnerability and discourages diversification away from the rice-wheat cycle. Addressing these challenges requires coordinated reforms, including broader MSP support, stronger FPOs, decentralized storage, digital trading platforms and transparent market regulation. Strengthening Haryana’s marketing ecosystem is essential for improving farmer welfare, ensuring fair price realization and promoting sustainable agricultural development.