Emerging Alternate Marketing Channels: It has been realised that if farmers directly sell their produce to consumers, it increases their incomes. Some examples of these channels are Apni Mandi (Punjab, Haryana and Rajasthan); Hadaspur Mandi (Pune); Rythu Bazars (vegetable and fruit markets in Andhra Pradesh and Telangana) and Uzhavar Sandies (farmers markets in Tamil Nadu). Further, several national and multinational fast food chains are increasingly entering into contracts/ alliances with farmers to encourage them to cultivate farm products (vegetable, fruits, etc.) of the desired quality by providing them with not only seeds and other inputs but also assured procurement of the produce at pre-decided prices. It is argued that such arrangements will help in reducing the price risks of farmers and would also expand the markets for farm products.

National and Multinational fast food chains entering contracts with farmers and provide the following items.

Seeds and Inputs

The correct answer is Option 3: Seeds and Inputs.

The passage states that national and multinational fast food chains are entering into contracts with farmers to provide them with seeds and other inputs to encourage them to cultivate farm products of the desired quality. This is because the fast food chains need a reliable supply of high-quality produce for their restaurants.