M.B.A. (Part II) (Semester IV) Examination, 2016
Gr. F AGRICULTURE AND CO-OPERATIVE MANAGEMENT (Paper III)
Agricultural Production Management
Day and Date Saturday, 3-12-2016 Total Marks 70
Time 10.30 a.m. to 1.30 p.m.
Instructions Question No. 1 is compulsory.
Attempt any two questions from Q. No. Q. No. 3 and
Q. No. 4.
Attempt any two questions from Q. No. Q. No. 6 and
Q. No. 7.
Figures to the right indicate full marks.
1. Case Study.
The In-Net-Vegetable Growers' (INVG) group, in Solapur District, consists of 72
members from eight villages who together produce cabbage, bean and broccoli.
Members of the group pay no membership fees, but each buys a share of
Rs. 120, which is used as initial funding and operating capital, mainly to provide
loans for inputs. The INVG group has invested in water pumps and tube irrigation.
The INVG group supplies two supermarkets of the "Arena chain" in Solapur, as
well as two wet (fresh produce) markets and a university shop. The Arena outlets
offer high quality produce to high-income customers and discard unsold vegetables
daily.
The INVG farmers deliver vegetables to their Chairman, who acts as a buyer and
has supplied Arena for more than 15 years without a written contract. The produce
is then delivered to the supermarkets. Suppliers to the supermarket are responsible
for product shelving and display. Supermarket staff visit farmers' fields each
year and produce is checked for freshness and cleanliness. Since Arena's
purchasing system is by consignment, the INVG Chairman must carefully
determine the right quantity to deliver each day to avoid losses. Fruit is inspected
piece by piece, leading to high rejection rates. There is no specification or product
standard, only grading. Each member's code is included on bag labels for
traceability. Payment is made every 45 days.
P.T.O.
Seat
No.
SLR-T 65
The group obtained a Rs. 70, 000 loan from the Bank of Agriculture and Agricultural
Cooperatives at a low rate of 7 percent interest and received substantial financial
aid (Rs. 5,00,000) from the sub-district Administration Office. These loans were
allocated to members for net-covered production areas. The group Chairman
was responsible for the allocation of funds.
Two advantages of selling to the Arena supermarkets are that produce keeps
fresh for the whole day, and the certainty of a market due to a sizable group of
customers.
The disadvantage is that the vegetables need to be sold within a day. The case
provides an interesting example of where a leading farmer, trusted by the others,
has taken on the role of trader, to the benefit of all group members.
Analyse the case. 5
Explain disadvantages of In-Net-Vegetable Growers' (INVG) initiative. 5
Suggest means for further expansion of quality vegetables to tap higher value
niche market. 4
2. Write short note (any two) 14
Land tenure systems.
Factor-factor decision.
Effects of new technology.
3. Write short note (any two) 14
Irrigation management.
Special features of agricultural and industrial production.
Problems on cost estimation.
4. Write short note (any two) 14
Green Houses.
Occupational structure.
Demand for agricultural products.
5. Explain in detail Co-operative Farming, Capital Farming and Corporate Farming
with suitable examples. 14
6. Explain farm records and farm accountancy with reference to farm efficiency
and measures. 14
7. Explain agricultural production and productivity trends with causes for low
productivity. 14