How can we solve the problem of unsellable agricultural products? Addressing the root causes of farmers' bumper harvests without prosperity
This year, red globe grapes in Yong'an Town, Shuangliu District, Chengdu, Sichuan, had a bumper harvest generally, but the fruit growers were worried. The market price per jin was one to two yuan lower than last year, yet still no buyers came. If they cannot be sold soon, the grapes that took a year of hard work to grow will rot on the vines.
Every year during harvest season, the phenomenon of unsellable agricultural products occurs from time to time in various places. Bumper harvests without prosperity have become a constraining factor in agricultural development, severely dampening farmers' enthusiasm for production. To solve the problem of unsellable agricultural products, producers and operators need to start from the entire industry chain: pre-production planning and layout, mid-production quality control, and post-production marketing.
Before production, the industrial structure should be optimized and moderate-scale operations adopted. According to changes in market supply and demand, promptly adjust and optimize the industrial structure, make good industrial planning and layout, and strive to achieve "what others don't have, I have; what others have, I have better; what others have better, I have unique," regulating the supply-demand relationship from the source. It must be recognized that the economic model of individual households no longer meets the requirements of modern agricultural development. Family farms, farmer cooperatives, agricultural enterprises and other new types of agricultural operating entities must be vigorously developed to achieve scale operations, which can both enable standardized production and enhance the ability to cope with market risks.
During production, technical standards should be strictly enforced and product quality improved. Product quality determines, to a certain extent, the sales prospects of the product. Producers must strictly follow standardized agricultural production technical specifications, strictly control agricultural production inputs such as pesticides, chemical fertilizers and additives, develop pollution-free, green and organic agricultural products, and build brand images for regional competitive agricultural products.
After production, processing and conversion should be strengthened and sales channels broadened. Operating entities with financial strength are encouraged to invest in building cold storage and other storage facilities and agricultural product processing production lines, extend the sales period and carry out on-site or nearby processing and conversion, continuously develop new products, transform primary products into deep-processed products, and extend the industry chain. While doing a good job in wholesale and retail at farmers' markets, supermarkets and other physical stores, actively develop multiple channels such as Internet Plus Agriculture and modern logistics to expand sales scope.
At the same time, relevant government departments should give full play to their functional roles and seek ways to solve the problem of unsellable agricultural products. First, strengthen the construction of the agricultural product circulation system, rationally plan wholesale markets, retail stalls and other sales outlets, and smooth agricultural product sales channels. Second, introduce corresponding incentive policies to support some key links in the agricultural production chain, prompting them to accelerate the pace of transformation and upgrading. Third, hold agricultural product trade fairs and other activities to expand promotional influence, promptly collect, organize and publish supply and demand information, and build a bridge between producers and consumers.