Coronavirus Squeezed Summer Vegetables Marketing in Koraput

The restrictions on transport movements amid the lockdown owing to Coronavirus pandemic have brought misery for vegetable farmers of Koraput district. The vegetable growers are now staring at huge losses due to total failure of the marketing network. Farmers of, Boipariguda, and Dasmantpur have been producing tones of vegetables year the round, especially during Rabi and Summer following Market Synchronised farming method through promotion of Producer Groups under agriculture production cluster programme for last couple of years. Usually, the harvesting and marketing of summer crop activities are carried out in March to May. Every day bumper harvesting of different kind of vegetable is being available with farmers in the district but takers are few this year due to the restrictions on movement of trucks.

Gangadhar Producer Group (PG), a vibrant smallholder women farmers’ collective, is working in Boipariguda block, the operational area of CYSD. “During the initial phase of lockdown, nearly for a fortnight, our members faced huge difficulties in harvesting and selling the summer vegetables. Distress sale of our produces in local market added to our miseries too, said Ms. Sanadei Mali, the President of Gangadhar Producer Group. A total of 90 members are directly engaged in the producer group for the livelihoods of their families. The producer group is being supported by Sabujima Producer Company Ltd in Boipariguda, an apex farmers’ collective of producer groups, on input procurement, establishment of Synchronised production system, including Package of Practice (POP) in vegetable, availing government subsidy scheme and market service.

During lock down, one of the biggest challenges faced by the PG members was selling of their products in market. Looking in to the problem faced by PG members, CYSD initiated dialogue with District administration and its market support agency to sell the product in urban market. CYSD judiciously convinced the district and block administration on the farmer level issues and possible solutions. Block Administration was convinced to provide required entry-pass for members as well as for vehicles to transport the vegetable from farmer’s field to Jeypore market. Both Odisha Rural Development & Marketing Society (ORMAS) and Odisha Livelihoods Mission along with Horticulture Department have been mobilized to provide necessary support on marketing of the vegetables in Jeypore market until the lockdown withdraws.  Horticulture Department and ORMAS immediately supported 20 numbers Caret (Plastic Try) to carry vegetables from farm to market. In the due time, informal assurance was given by OLM and Horticulture Department to reimburse the costs of transportation which are borne by the Producer Company.   The CEO of Sabujima Producer Company also monitoring the activities and providing handhold support to the Group on day-to-day basis.

The PG, with the transport support from the Government sources, have been continuously selling vegetables from second week of April.  On 10 April the group sold 25.80 quintal of vegetables against of Rs. 40,500/- and on 18th April it sold 13.10 quintals at the cost of Rs. 33,000/-. “As of now, within 10 days’ time, our Group has a turnover of Rs. 3,95,475/- against sale of 197.61 quintals of vegetables”, said Mrs. Sanadei.  “After the intervention of CYSD our financial situation is now gradually improving. Without their continuous support and guidance our situation would have been worse. We are really thankful to them”, she added in cheerful face.

Similarly, in Dasamantpur block, Maa Tarini Producer Group have started marketing of their harvested vegetables in Podagada Markets for couple of days with an average income of 7,500/- by selling around 2.70 quintals a day with the support of the Block Administration.

During marketing of vegetables, the group members have been following social distancing by using masks and practicing hand wash frequently for personal hygiene and care.