Farmers face marketing troubles

Lobbies try to sabotage initiatives, reduce prices

The Bharanikkavu block panchayat in the district has taken measures to supply organic vegetables to various places in the district.

But the marketing initiatives taken up by the Krishi Bhavans have been facing trouble due to the intervention of market lobbies and vested interests.

The Palamel, Nooranad, Vallikunnam, and Thamarakkulam grama panchayats have taken the lead in producing vegetables for supply during the Onam season.

About 800 hectares of land has come under organic cultivation of vegetables, according to officials of the Agriculture Department.

One of the initiatives taken by the Agriculture Department is the establishment of weekly markets, known as ‘Azhcha chanda.’

Weekly markets

The organic vegetable cluster in Palamel panchayat has provided over 2,000 kg of vegetables to the market on Friday, according to Agriculture Officer Ciji Susan George.

Over 100 tonnes of ‘nendran’ variety of banana, much in demand during the Onam season, have been supplied in recent weeks to different markets in the district.

The weekly markets are intended to ensure better price for the produce. But certain lobbies had been trying to sabotage the arrangement, the farm officials said. These lobbies had been quoting low prices, and at times kept off the market with a view to reducing the prices. A section of retailers had been part of such activities. The move to pressurise the farmers through such tactics had affected the market sentiments, they said.

“The farmer should get adequate price for their produce, otherwise initiatives to increase production will be counter-productive. Lack of warehousing facilities has been hampering the marketing arrangement,” points out Ms. George.

The block panchayat has plans to set up a warehouse. It would become a reality only in the coming months.

Efforts to sell the produce at remunerative prices to Horticorp have also encountered several problems.

Though there had been an understanding to procure vegetables produced within a district for distribution in the same area, it has not been implemented, according to farm officials.

The vegetable clusters in Palamel and other panchayats have been certified under the Good Agricultural Practices (GAP) scheme. Initiatives to ensure premium price to the products have only been partially successful.

More support needed

Arrangements to distribute the vegetables to more areas within and outside the district would require much more support from the government, she said.