IT Application in Agricultural Marketing Service Delivery — Electronic Tender System in Regulated Markets§ Chengappa P.G.*, M. Arun, Yadava C.G., Kumar H.M. Prasanna Institute for Social and Economic Change, Nagarabhavi, Bangalore – 560 072, Karnataka *Author for correspondence: Email: chengappa@isec.ac.in, chengappapg@gmail.com
§This study is part of the ICAR National Professor Project “Changing Consumption Pattern in India: Opportunities for Diversification towards High Value Commodities through Production and Marketing Linkages” JEL Classification: L86, Q13 Online published on 9 October, 2012. Abstract The application of Information Technology (IT) in the form of introduction of e-tender system in the selected regulated agricultural markets of Karnataka has been found to improve the marketing efficiency through competitive and transparent bidding mechanism, and by minimization of manipulations in trading practices. Besides, a considerable time saving for all the stakeholders has been a clear outcome of e-tender system. There is vast scope to improve market fee collections if gate entry is systematically monitored. Traders, by and large, have accepted the system, but face problems with webpage design. The option to make entries and price alterations for more lots on a single page has been suggested as the number of lots is very large. Provision of infrastructure in terms of access to more computers, kiosks and LAN facility would enhance trader's acceptance level. Creating awareness about the system among farmers has been found necessary, as majority of them are not much aware about the new system. The outsourcing of the process to private players is a right step as the capacity levels of available human resources with the regulated markets are not adequate As such capacity building is necessary in the long-run. The efficiency of the system can be enhanced if end-to-end IT applications are introduced. Top Keywords IT, agricultural marketing, service delivery, e-tender system. Top |