ICAR AIEEA PG Agri-Business Management 14 July 2023 (Shift 1) Paper

Price spread is the difference between the price paid by the ultimate consumer and the price received by the primary producer (encompassing all marketing margins, transportation, and middleman commissions). Green leafy vegetables are highly perishable commodities cultivated in peri-urban areas and sold through direct local marketing channels or short supply chains (e.g., direct farmer-to-consumer bazaars) with minimal storage, processing, and intermediary tiers, resulting in the lowest absolute price spread.

Option analysis:

• Rice: Involves multiple intermediaries (millers, wholesalers, retailers) and long holding periods, yielding high price spread.
• Milk: Involves chilling, pasteurization, packaging, and distribution margins.
• Green leaves: Correct, minimal processing and direct local marketing chain minimize price spread.
• Coconut: Long-distance transit and intermediary handling create large price spreads.

International food safety standards, codes of hygienic practice, guidelines, and maximum residue limits (MRLs) are formulated by the Codex Alimentarius Commission (CODEX), an intergovernmental body established jointly by the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) and World Health Organization (WHO) in 1963. CODEX standards are recognized by the World Trade Organization (WTO) under the SPS Agreement.

Option analysis:

• HACCP: Hazard Analysis Critical Control Point, a food safety management methodology, not a standards development body.
• CODEX: Correct, the premier international food standards agency.
• ECOMARK: Indian ecolabelling certification issued by the Bureau of Indian Standards.
• WTO: Multilateral trade organization enforcing trade rules, not developing technical food safety standards directly.