In Pictures

Gallery|Poverty and Development

In Pictures: Bustling Indian farmers’ market

Initiative to cut out middlemen and tackle rising food prices reaps rewards in newly divided Andhra Pradesh state.

The rythu bazaar or farmers market is a dedicated space in the major cities of Andhra Pradesh state where farmers can directly sell their produce rather than via middlemen.
By Umika Pidaparthy
Published On 2 Jun 2014

As the southern Indian state of Andhra Pradesh prepares to be officially divided on Monday, farmers in the new state aim to cut back on the influence of middlemen, who get away with bulk of profits from their produce.

India has seen a steep hike in vegetable and fruit prices, a point underscored by a World Bank report, and ordinary farmers are on the receiving end of the price hikes.

Low agricultural productivity, drought and poor infrastructure are to be blamed for the farmers’ misery, but a defunct systemwhere licenced middlemen, or traders who distribute the farmer’s products to retailers, end up increasing prices for customers.

To tackle this problem, in 1999, then chief minister of Andhra Pradesh, Chandrababu Naidu, started the rythu bazaar or farmers’ market initiative.

Farmers and their produce are transported from surrounding villages to a dedicated place in the closest major city where they can directly interact with consumers and sell their items. So buyers get lower prices and farmer’s get a fair profitwithout the supply chain costs – a win-win situation.

Al Jazeera visited one of these bazaars in the city of Vijayawada in March just as the state was gearing up to vote.

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Started in 1999, rythu bazaars have now sprung up in most major cities of the state. Here farmers bring all kinds of produce, even non-edible items like flowers, which are used in Hindu rituals.
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Atluri Saradhi, 60, from Kunchanapalli village says the upcoming division of the state is worrying: "The Telangana politicians say they will not let the water come here...If they block the river then our wells will dry up".
The rising prices of onions, a major ingredient in Indian food, is an issue the new government faces. Contributing factors can be low productivity and the system of middlemen in the supply chain.
Farmers from surrounding villages use government transportation to carry their produce to the city.
At the bazaar, farmers of all ages can be found. One farmer G Shivnarayan said that from his earnings he was able provide an education for his children.
About halfway through the day, farmers are asked to submit a tally of how much they have sold of what item. Their names and licenses are registered for government records and to ensure fair prices are being observed.
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While the farmers have responded positively to the rythu bazaar scheme and said they are happy, the lack of consistent electricity and water on their farms is on their minds.
This farmer from China Ogirala village who sells ivy gourd says: "I am angry. There is no electricity. The government is promising free electricity. They could charge us for proper electricity. Did they ever ask us if we wanted it for free?"
The open air Swaraj Maidan Rythu Bazaar is located in a busy area of the city.
This farmer says while he has enough electricity and water at his farm, he does worry what will happen after the division.
Most of the farmers say they are happy with the initiative as they can directly interact with the customers and receive fair returns for their produce.
Customers, even tourists pictured here, visit the rythu bazaar, which has become famous for its low prices and fresh products.
Women have their own stalls at the bazaar for selling their produce to support their families.
Vijayawada has many air-conditioned supermarkets dotting the city and residential areas, but shoppers told Al Jazeera that the prices at the bazaar are unbeatable.