Chennai, Feb 11 : The present Dravida Munnetra Kazhakam (DMK) government, whose term is to end soon, will be remembered for years to come for one notable scheme, `Uzhavar Sandai' or farmer's market. In spite of political sceptcism and economist's rationalisation that a system which intends to avoid `traders' would not fit into a free economy,Tamil Nadu already has 102 farmers' markets. Government has decided to add two more markets soon, one in Chennai and the other at Arnathangi, near Pudukkottai.The total sales in these markets up to January 31, 2001 was about Rs 167 crore, Commissioner of Agriculture Marketing CV Sankar, told The Financil Express.
It is to be noted that the entire money has gone to the farmers for a little extra effort they had taken to carry their produces to the nearby market. Informed sources said that in the normal course of trading farmers would not have got even half that amount.
In the farmers market, duly identified farmers bring their produces and sell directly to the consumers. The retail prices are arrived at based on the wholesale and retail prices in the open market centres in the region by a committee consisting of farmer representatives and officials of the 16 Agriculture Marketing Committees (AMC) which manages the markets.There is a well-knit data collection and computerised transmission system in all AMCs. They e-mail the daily reports to the Commissioner of Agriculutre Marketing.
The first market was opened in Madurai by the Chief Minister M Karunanidhi on November 14, 1999. The 102nd market was opened in Kulithalai on December 24, 2000.
Up to Janury 31, 2001, 247,293 tonne of vegetables, fruits and flowers worth Rs 170 crore were sold directly to the consumers at an average price of Rs 6 a kg.
Teh sources said that the markets in Hosur, Coimbatore, Tirupur and Tiruchi are doing exceedingly well. Average daily arrivalis in Hosur and Coimabtore are over 40 tonne. In Hosur over 200 farmers daily cater to more than 6,200 consumers. The average daily sales turnover in the market is over Rs 2.2 lakh.
Eight markets deal between 20 tonne and 40 tonne of produces daily. In 33 markets the sales are betwenn 10 and 20 tonne, in 31 markets the sales are between 5 tonne and 10 tonne daily and in 30 markets they range from 1 tonne to 4 tonne.
Except in 13 markets, it is estimated that more than 1,000 consumers go to the farmers markets. In some markets the consumer density is more than 5,000.The agriculture department is giving training to the farmers in modern agricultural practices and is encouraging them to expand cultivation.The department is setting up a mega farmer's market for auction of large volumes of produce to traders and commission agents at Ottanchatram in Dindugal district.
The foundation stone for the 2.65 crore Mega Uzhavar Sandai on 16-acre plot is to be laid on February 18. The market will have a vast cold store and electronic weighing machines. There will also be an exclusive farmers market also.
Copyright © 2001 Indian Express Newspapers (Bombay) Ltd.
