Maradu auctions a big draw

Vegetables worth more than Rs.4 lakh sold on first day after change in schedule.

Commodities lined up for auction at Maradu market on Thursday.

Hundreds of farmers and buyers thronged the Maradu vegetable wholesale market on Thursday, the first day of rescheduled auctions at the market.

Over the years, the market has grown in stature, providing a big platform for farmers to realise remunerative prices for their produce. On Thursday, Nendran bananas fetched Rs.65 a kg in wholesale deals, while cassava fetched Rs.19 a kg.

The wholesale price levels were in keeping with the general market trend.

The auctions were rescheduled on a request from stakeholders, according to an Agriculture Department official. Previously, auctions used to be held on Wednesdays, and stakeholders suggested a change in schedule for better offtake.

Vegetables worth more than Rs.4 lakh were sold on Thursday, with auctions beginning at 8 a.m. “Since auction of vegetables and fruits is held at the Muvattupuzha wholesale market on Tuesdays, farmers felt there would be better offtake if the schedule was changed,” the official added.

EU aid

Vegetables and fruits from as many as 10 panchayats in the district arrive at the Maradu market, which was established with financial assistance from the European Union (EU).

Nendran and other varieties of bananas, cassava, yam, and other vegetables form the bulk of the produce lined for sale.

The official said the market used to function as a centre for aggregation of produce from 14 clusters, and that more than 50 farmers are active participants in the process, which is controlled by a group of elected farmers.