The Uzhavar Santhais (farmers’ markets) in the district registered record arrival of vegetables, sugarcane, turmeric and other festival staple during Pongal, indicating their growing popularity among the people.
More than the price, the quality of the produce, has been the main attraction for consumers from both city and semi-urban areas.
The Thennur Annanagar Uzhavar Santhai, one of the most successful farmers’ markets in the state, registered arrival of vegetables, sugarcane, turmeric bunches and ginger directly from the nearby villages and also from places like Erode to the tune of 78 tonnes on Pongal eve on Friday and 71 tonnes on Saturday. The total value of the arrivals on both days was around Rs. 30.76 lakh. The average daily arrival during normal days at the santhai ranges between 30 and 35 tonnes.
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Sugarcane was largest sold item at the Santhai during the festival season. About 20 tonnes of sugarcane were sold in two days. A bundle of 10 sugarcanes was sold at Rs. 110. About 8 tonnes of turmeric bunches and 2.4 tonnes of ginger were also sold.
According to official sources, a record number of 8,600 consumers visited the Santhai on Friday and 8,200 the next day. As stream of consumers continued, the Santhai functioned from dawn to dusk on Friday, against its restricted working hours and till 3 p.m. on Saturday.
As far as the Tiruverambur Uzhavar Santhai is concerned, farmers brought about 14 tonnes of vegetables on Friday and Saturday.
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The other Santhais at K.K. Nagar in the city and Thuraiyur and Musiri in the district too registered heavy arrivals of vegetables during Pongal.