PUNE: Pune city has witnessed steady expansion of farmers’ weekly market since the initiative was launched in Kothrud five years ago.
Around 66 such markets, where farmers’ groups directly sell fresh vegetables and fruits to city residents, now function on a regular basis in residential areas of Pune and Pimpri Chinchwad. The farmers’ groups are looking for more areas to expand their operation.
The markets operate under the guidance of the state government’s agriculture marketing board (MSAMB) and civic administration. Thousands of farmers from rural areas of Pune and Satara district bring the produce to these markets. Around 25 to 30 stalls are put up on a temporary basis in each of these markets. The activity continues for about six to seven hours, depending on buyers’ response.
MSAMB officials said that the response from residents has been encouraging. “Pune was among the first group of cities where the concept of farmers’ market was introduced. The journey has been good so far. Barring a few places, most other markets are held regularly. The footfall of buyers has been fairly good at most markets,” a senior official said,
The farmers’ markets extensively cover the city’s newly-developed residential areas in Baner, Balewadi, Bavdhan, Wakad, Pimple Saudagar, Pimple Nilakh, Sangvi, Aundh, Warje, Katraj, and other places.
Narendra Pawar of Shri Swami Samarth Shetkari Utpadak Co Ltd said that the concept has the potential of being replicated in other places in the city.
Pawar said that his group now helps other farmers’ groups to conduct weekly markets in the city. “We started the weekly market concept in Kothrud and within a brief period, the concept was replicated in many areas in the city. It clicked because of quality, variety of farm produce, and fair prices. The farmers supplying their produce have been asked to maintain good quality and ensure good packing to meet the demands of buyers,” Pawar added.
Pawar said that since the markets have increased their scale of activity, there is a need for better regulation and monitoring by the MSAMB and PMC.
Around 66 such markets, where farmers’ groups directly sell fresh vegetables and fruits to city residents, now function on a regular basis in residential areas of Pune and Pimpri Chinchwad. The farmers’ groups are looking for more areas to expand their operation.
The markets operate under the guidance of the state government’s agriculture marketing board (MSAMB) and civic administration. Thousands of farmers from rural areas of Pune and Satara district bring the produce to these markets. Around 25 to 30 stalls are put up on a temporary basis in each of these markets. The activity continues for about six to seven hours, depending on buyers’ response.
MSAMB officials said that the response from residents has been encouraging. “Pune was among the first group of cities where the concept of farmers’ market was introduced. The journey has been good so far. Barring a few places, most other markets are held regularly. The footfall of buyers has been fairly good at most markets,” a senior official said,
The farmers’ markets extensively cover the city’s newly-developed residential areas in Baner, Balewadi, Bavdhan, Wakad, Pimple Saudagar, Pimple Nilakh, Sangvi, Aundh, Warje, Katraj, and other places.
Narendra Pawar of Shri Swami Samarth Shetkari Utpadak Co Ltd said that the concept has the potential of being replicated in other places in the city.
Pawar said that his group now helps other farmers’ groups to conduct weekly markets in the city. “We started the weekly market concept in Kothrud and within a brief period, the concept was replicated in many areas in the city. It clicked because of quality, variety of farm produce, and fair prices. The farmers supplying their produce have been asked to maintain good quality and ensure good packing to meet the demands of buyers,” Pawar added.
Pawar said that since the markets have increased their scale of activity, there is a need for better regulation and monitoring by the MSAMB and PMC.
Quick Links
Lok Sabha Election Schedule 2019Lok Sabha Election NewsDelhi Capitals teamMI team 2019Rajasthan Royals 2019RCB team 2019Maharashtra Lok Sabha ConstituenciesBJP Candidate ListBJP List 2019 TamilnaduShiv Sena List 2019AP BJP List 2019Mamata BanerjeeBJP List 2019 MaharashtraPriyanka GandhiBJP List 2019 KarnatakaAMMK Candidate List 2019BJP List 2019 WBLok Sabha Elections in Tamil NaduBSP List 2019 UPNews in TamilLok Sabha Poll 2019Satta Matka 2018PM ModiMahagathbandhanNagpur BJP Candidate ListChandrababu NaiduTamil Nadu ElectionsUrmila MatondkarNews in TeluguMadras High CourtTejashwi YadavArvind KejriwalTejasvi SuryaPawan KalyanArvind KejriwalYogi AdityanathJaya PradaSatta King 2019Srinagar encounter
Get the app