From Paris to Parwanoo: Global lens on Himachal’s mandis

Contrary to the prevailing system in India where commission agents decide the price of agri-produce based on quality, France follows a markedly different model — the government fixes a floor price, ensuring farmers a guaranteed return. Commission agents in France are also compensated by the state, creating a more regulated and farmer-friendly market environment.

These insights were shared by Prof Annick Vignes, Economist and Director of Research at LISIS, INRAE, and faculty at École des Ponts ParisTech (University Paris-Est), during her two-month academic visit to Dr YS Parmar University of Horticulture and Forestry, Nauni.

Her visit was part of the international Agro-ecological Crop Protection Towards International Co-Innovation Dynamics and Evidence of Sustainability (ACROPICS) project, a collaboration of 15 institutions from 13 countries. The initiative focuses on agro-ecology, agricultural markets and the pricing dynamics of natural farming produce.

As part of her study, Prof Vignes visited mandis in Chaila, Solan and Parwanoo, interacting with commission agents, traders and apple growers to assess how prices are discovered and the challenges farmers face in securing fair compensation. Working with the University’s Department of Social Sciences, she compared the pricing mechanisms for natural farming produce against conventional systems, highlighting the importance of certification, labelling and consumer perception in enhancing market value.

She also delivered lectures on research methods, data analysis and agricultural market dynamics, giving students valuable exposure to international perspectives and practical approaches in agricultural economics. Beyond the campus, Prof Vignes met natural farming practitioners in Pachhad (Sirmaur) and Solan, and visited Krishi Vigyan Kendras at Kandaghat and Rohru, along with the Regional Horticulture Research and Training Station, Mashobra. She also toured the university’s natural farming farms.

Her field visits included apple orchards and diversified farms in Shimla and Rohru, where growers are adopting chemical-free practices. She engaged with grassroots organisations working to build fairer markets and strengthen farmers’ bargaining power.