Tamil Nadu - Tirunelveli   

Farmers’ market in Melapalayam, a hit

success: Customers thronging the Melapalayam farmers’ market.

TIRUNELVELI: The recently inaugurated farmers’ market at Melapalayam has disproved the popular belief that this venture started in an area housing huge number of non-vegetarians would not be a successful endeavour, since the market sells on an average more than 6 tonnes of vegetables worth Rs.75,000 every day.

Even when the market was inaugurated on November 21, some of the speakers raised doubts on whether the new entity being established amidst predominant non-vegetarian population would be a successful venture.

Replying, the then Minister for Agriculture, Veerapandi S. Arumugam, in a lighter vein, said the Melapalayam farmers’ market would be a sure hit as non-vegetarians were becoming vegetarians in health point of view.

Though this comment triggered laughter, the minister’s prediction has ultimately come true.

The market, having 36 shops to sell 38 to 42 types of vegetables, fruits and greens, has sold 60,213 kg of fresh vegetables and fruits, worth Rs. 7,59,444, to 26,187 consumers in the first ten days.

On average, each consumer coming to this market spends around Rs. 30.

Another interesting statistics is that nearly 10 per cent of the total vegetables being sold in this market are KKM – 1 variety white brinjal, largely cultivated at Thidiyoor near Melapalayam.

“Since Melapalayam houses huge Muslim population, which uses brinjal to prepare ‘thaltcha’ (a delicious side-dish being prepared for biryani and ghee rice), sale of brinjal is so encouraging in this market,” said Horticulture Officer, Palayamkottai S. Raja Mohamed.

While 1 kg of brinjal was sold for Rs. 22 in the open market on December 3, the superior KKM – 1 variety brinjal was available at Melapalayam farmers for Rs. 12 a kg.

On December 2, selling price of brinjal was slightly higher i.e. Rs. 20 a kg.

“I’d brought 50 kg of brinjal and sold it for Rs. 1,000. And my net profit on December 2 was Rs. 800 by selling brinjal alone,” said farmer Alwar of Thidiyoor.

Demand for brinjal is expected to go up steeply in the next few days as ‘Bakrid’ is likely to fall on December 9.

According to a conservative estimation, Melapalayam houses 11,200 Muslim families and there is a scope for selling a minimum of over 11,000 kg of brinjal in this area alone on the day of Bakrid.

“Though inflow of brinjal is comparatively low now (only 400 to 500 kg), we’ve told the farmers, particularly brinjal growers, to flood the market with their produce on this day to get premium price,” said Mr. Raja Mohamed.

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