Thanks to the strict absence of middlemen at Uzhavar Sandhai, farmers are finally getting the right price for the crops and vegetables raised by them and consumers too are happy to get them at commission-less prices. Ask the residents of R.S. Puram, who now flock regularly to these markets to buy their vegetables and fruits.

Today, a kilo of tomatoes costs Rs.50 upwards in the supermarkets and retail stores. At the vegetable stores run by the state government, it sells for Rs.45. But at the R.S. Puram Uzhavar Sandhai, the same sells for Rs.40.

Uzhavar Sandhai enables farmers to directly sell their produce to the consumers. There are no middlemen or brokers in this equation. It ensures that the farmers they get a fair price for their produce, and the consumers benefit as they can purchase fresh vegetables at comparatively lower prices.

Currently, there are four Uzhavar Sandhais operational in Coimbatore. At the one located in R.S. Puram, the day begins at 4 in the morning, when the gates are opened. The radio plays in the backdrop as several lorries laden with vegetables from the outskirts of Coimbatore empty their loads of fresh produce.

An officer at the Uzhavar Sandhai, who does not wish to be named, states that farmers are permitted to enter the premises only on producing their identity cards. The identity cards are given by the Director of Agriculture Business. In the absence of the farmer, his family members are allowed to use his identity card to sell the products. Only those farmers who live in Periyanaicken Palayam, Thondamuthur, Madukkarai and Sarcarsamakulam (also known as Kovilpalayam) are allowed to sell their produce at the R.S. Puram Uzhavar Sandhai.

There are no middlemen. “By not allowing the middlemen, the consumers and the farmers are able to benefit,” said this officer. He adds that the price of each vegetable is fixed by the administrative officers. The prices are fixed based on their quality. So, at the same market, you are likely to come across slight variations in the price, depending on the quality. He however says that the vegetables sold at the Uzhavar Sandhai cost a bit more than what they do at the wholesale markets, and much lesser than the retail stores. We run a random check on the prices of tomatoes, and he was right.

The Uzhavar Sandhai of R.S. Puram offers farmers an opportunity to make the maximum profit. Farmers who wish to sell their produce at this vegetable market are not charged anything as rent or lease for space. Even the weighing scales are provided by the authorities. The R.S Puram Uzhavar Sandhai can currently accommodate 124 farmers in their stalls. Some farmers also sell their produce in the open spaces.

Business is brisk on all days, especially during the weekends. The Uzhavar Sandhai at Cowley Brown Road is Coimbatore’s first. It functions on all days of the week, except on Government holidays. The middle class and even the upper middle class make their purchases here. Customers are encouraged to bring their own shopping bags. Business hours are between 6 am and 11 am on all days. In the evenings, the Uzhavar Sandhai doubles up as a walking track. Several homemakers complete their evening walk here.

The concept of Uzhavar Sandhai was introduced in Tamil Nadu by the chief of Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK), M. Karunanidhi. In 1999, the first Uzhavar Santhai was inaugurated in Madurai, with the idea of doing away with the middlemen. When the All India Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (AIADMK) came to power, the Uzhavar Santhai scheme was neglected. However, when the DMK government took over in 2011, Uzhavar Santhai opened its doors to the public once again. Since then, they have been operational across the state irrespective of the ruling party.