After a series of training programmes for stakeholders earlier this year, Department of Agricultural Business and Agricultural Marketing is finally in a state of readiness to launch e-tendering / e-trading at the Perundurai Turmeric Complex, Karumandisellipalayam, this month.
E-tendering concept has found favour with both traders and farmers owing to inherent transparency and the platform created for prompt payments as desired by the turmeric cultivators, L.Kolandaivelu, secretary of Erode Marketing Committee said.
The Erode Marketing Committee received sustained backing from the district administration to conduct the training programmes, some of which were addressed by District Collector S. Prabakar himself, and carry out other preparatory measures.
Registration of farmers and traders was carried out and unique numbers for taking part in the trade process were given.
As per the new system, farmers who will have to bring their produce before 8.30 a.m. will receive text message of the turmeric variety, and the number of bags.
Subsequent issuance of lot numbers will be followed by bidding by traders who had registered online using android application or UMP (United Marketing Platform) between 9 a.m. and 10 a.m.
Declaration of prices quoted by traders will be made known to farmers through SMS immediately and the farmers could, if they are unsatisfied with the quoted price, cancel the transaction within the next 15 minutes after which the final declaration would be made. Auction receipt will be given to the farmer after weighing of the lot, and then bill will be generated. Traders will then make the payment to the farmers through RTGS (Real Time Gross Settlement), NEFT (National Electronic Fund Transfer) / Cheque, and take possession of the turmeric load for outward transport.
