Uzhavar Sandhais, the market for farmers 

The Uzhavar Sandhais, a flagship programme of the M. Karunanidhi government, have predictably been revived with this DMK government taking power. While they serve a solid purpose for both consumer and farmer, many more improvements can be made to the scheme, users point out

After having lived in Chennai for years, Damayanthi, a home-maker in her 40s, has not been happy about relocating to Hosur. But one thing in Hosur that has impressed her is the Uzhavar Sandhai (farmers’ market), a platform to link farmers and consumers. “I get fresh vegetables at cheap rates,” she says at the bustling market on a weekday. Another consumer at Hosur points out that “you save at least 5% in cost.”

Launched in January 2000, the Hosur Uzhavar Sandhai was among the first markets established by the Agricultural Marketing and Agri Business Department, which comes under the Agriculture Department. It is one of the large functional Uzhavar Sandhais. On an average, it handles around 47.7 tonnes of vegetables and draws nearly 5,900 consumers every day.

Going by the official data for the first half of the current financial year, it is one of the three markets whose daily transactions range from ₹15 lakh to ₹20 lakh. The others are Singanallur and R.S. Puram in Coimbatore district. However, the Tiruppur South Uzhavar Sandhai tops the list of 181 markets all over the State with the daily arrival of about 92 tonnes of vegetables and ₹24 lakh in sales.

R.K. Sharma, a naval officer, has been visiting the Nanganallur Uzhavar Sandhai for eight years. “Regularly, I compare the quality and prices at the Sandhai with those in the private market. I am thoroughly satisfied with what I get here,” he says.

Of course, the Sandhai in Nanganallur is modest: it receives around 3.6 tonnes of vegetables daily and sales touch a little over ₹1 lakh. Unlike the one in Hosur, which has at least 220 farmers on its rolls, the Nanganallur Uzhavar Sandhai does not have any farmer to support it. Members of Pavalamalli self-help group manage it.

Effectively, nine persons are part of the Uzhavar Sandhai, procuring vegetables from bigger markets, including the Koyambedu wholesale market. It is not difficult to find out the reasons for the absence of farmers. “The impact of urbanisation is such that in the close vicinity of Nanganallur, you don’t find any farmer,” an official says.

“Regularly, I compare the quality and prices at the Sandhai with those in the private market. I am thoroughly satisfied with what I get here.”R.K. Sharma, Navy officer