FARMERS-THE BREAD GROWERS ARE TREATED AS BEGGARS IN MANDIS

FARMERS-THE BREAD GROWERS ARE TREATED AS BEGGARS IN MANDIS

It is really unfortunate to see that small and marginal farmers are treated very shabbily by commission agents, transport operators, hamali syndicates etc in markets. They have forgotten the fact that the entire supply chain is surviving  due to farmer and his produce. The middle who bring produce from farms are given preferential treatment over real farmers. There is nexus operating to discourage farmers bringing produce directly to markets and its more prevalent in fruit and vegetables markets.

For example from 50 kg cabbage bag agents reduce 5 kg as allowance for wastage from direct farmers, whereas it is 3 kg from middlemen. Similarly there are huge variations in hamali, commission other than preferential treatment in auctions and loading. It is very clear that there is coterie operating systematically to ensure farmers not coming to markets directly. If there are credit linkages the situation is even worse. 

Due to these prevailing environment farmers are preferring to sell standing crops particularly in fruits and vegetables to middle men . They are taking advantage of the situation and orally contracting lakhs worth produce by giving token advances. Often they Payless or even float the contract and exploit farmers depending on their realization from markets. In any situation farmer is the clear looser in the supply chain.

The marketing authorities, regulatory bodies are more interested in collecting market cess rather than working for farmers welfare. Strong will has to prevail in policy makers to alter this situation. Without bringing in structural adjustments and drastic changes in operations, the big talks about electronic markets, one nation one market etc will remain as dreams only.

B Guruva Reddy -9866889246

grbonthu@gmail.com