As a next step after promotion of saving and credit groups across the country many NGOs, Government Organizations and other agencies are experimenting with livelihoods interventions around commodity marketing. Some examples are in agriculture, livestock and artisan sectors. Major examples of such work are by BAIF for promoting horticulture produce marketing, Pradan in promoting poultry marketing, Cooperative Development Foundation & Srijan in promoting dairy cooperatives marketing milk and Centre for Collectives Development in promoting agriculture commodities management (soyabean & groundnut). Some large Government projects in Andhra Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh, Jharkhand and Bihar are in the process of promoting similar efforts. Commodity marketing is a key function for several livelihoods dependent on agriculture, agri allied like horticulture, livestock, fisheries, forest produce and artisans. Market integration & global changes are influencing the way the commodities are managed locally. With growth in large retail chains and processing industries attempts to reduce intermediation and integrate the supply chain are being initiated. ITC e-choupal experiment stands out in integrating real time systems for commodity management. Commodity exchanges and futures markets have enabled private investments to flow in commodity markets influencing the way we market. It is these trends that become challenges for collectives of poor in managing commodity initiatives. This program therefore targets at imparting latest knowledge and in understanding how collectives can be promoted and developed to manage commodities and market for the poor. It will help in understanding measures for improving supply chain efficiencies and quality management across the chain.

The objectives of the programme are: 1. To understand the basics of effective commodity marketing and supply chain management 2. To prepare business and intervention plan for promoting collective enterprises dealing commodity marketing and management enabling producers get their rightful share 3. To understand the process of nurturing commodity marketing and value addition collectives.