Andhra Pradesh has already 107 Rythu Bazaars. The govt is proposing 60 new farmers markets in the state. Currently the govt says that 11000 farmers are benefiting by selling in the farmers market. But the honest truth is that most of the stalls belong to middlemen and their families. Some own several stalls under different family member names in same market.
Each farmers market sells anywhere close to 30 lakh rs/day. They sell around 175 metric tonnes of vegetables every day. The Major farmers markets also generate around 1 tonne vegetable wastage. The govt by expanding more farmers markets is allowing them to provide vegetables to consumers t cheaper prices. Farmers markets are normally jampacked because of the difference in prices. Despite Covid and online availability of vegetables, people love the joy of picking vegetables on their own.
Many a times, even top branded ecommerce companies have delivered low grade vegetables for home delivery. Hence people prefer startup companies which are claiming to provide fresh produce, farm to home models. Organic Vegetables are in high demand. Some specialized stores are coming up only to market organic vegetables.
Andhra Pradesh is making sincere efforts to expand farmers marketing activities. It already has opened several RBKs across villages in the state. Due to Covid, many farmers markets had to be shifted to open grounds to avoid congestion. Vijayawada Main Rythu Bazaar has been vacated to provide for Ambedkar Square construction. Hence the farmers have been allocated temporary places in several places. The image shown is of a farmers market in Vijayawada.
