Author(s) :

Daman Prakash.

Volume :

Abstract :

The role of agricultural co-operatives in production and marketing is significant in the developing economies of the world. Based on the experience of developing countries with the ‘no-subsidies syndrome, things are gradually becoming difficult and expensive for the farmers. Farmers are now forced to rely on others for cooperation, collaboration and support. An era of networking’ has thus been ushered not only in the agricultural sector but also in all other trade-related sectors. This is one of the ways to insulate the agricultural sector from negative influences. A ‘network' may be defined as the chain of people or institutions working together to achieve common goals i.e., higher economic returns. Members of the network help each other by exchanging information, sharing ideas and experiences, using each other s contacts and making joint strategies. Types of networks are: Issue-based, Board-based, Area-specific and Donor/Fund-driven networks. These days computers, the internet and visits to websites have become essential tools to access, accumulate and disseminate information on various aspects. Information needs to be collected on suppliers of raw materials and inputs, sources of such inputs. producers and products. Data is to be collected on various linkages - the consumption areas,interested parties,market informationand the markets within and outside the country. Information also needs to be collected on methods and techniques used and procedures followed by the suppliers and consumers/users. Networking is advantageous both to the producers as well as the consumers.Through networking information and facilitation can be obtained on the World Trade Organisation (WTO), ISO certification, E-commerce, E-shopping, Internet, networking and clustering, and frequent ‘buyer-sellers’ meets. This paper also covers the actualisation of international trade and the methodology to develop contracts and agreements. Networking is not a mere digital game using computers and correspondents. It is a systematic scheme based on the use of carefully collected and analysed data It is not a person-to-person contact. It is a complete whole of the entire environment. It has inputs and outputs and contains scope for review, appraisals and improvements. Above all it helps the producer to earn more and the consumer to save more.

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