KOCHI: The Agricultural Urban Wholesale Market at Nettoor in Maradu Municipality is now becoming the most preferred joint for buying vegetables. Come Wednesday and the market place is packed with people. Consumers vouch that the vegetables sold at the market are fresh and cheap compared to other markets in the city.The vegetables arrive here from the eight panchayats nearby and farmers auction them. “We sell vegetables that are fresh and since farmers conduct the auctioning, people get to buy them cheaply. People flock to the market in large numbers which opens by 8 am and closes by 11 am,” said Sherly A Baby, Deputy Director, Maradu Agriculture Wholesale market.According to her the market was initiated under the state government scheme. The farmers from the panchayats in the 50-km radius of the city arrive here to auction their products. “We have formed eight groups in the Karumaloor, Alangad, Mulanthuruthy, Parakkadavu, Nedumbassery ,Chengamanad and Chellanam panchayats and they are given all the facilities to sell their produce in the market. Besides we also allot funds for the transportation of the vegetables. The individual farmers also arrive here with their produce. Vegetables, tapioca, bananas, jack fruit are auctioned at cheap rates, said Sherly.John Varghese, a farmer who has auctioned around 100 kg of tapioca, said that the marketing process here is more transparent and the presence of the Horticorp officials and a central committee to monitor the auctioning process ensure that the price is balanced.Mary John, a regular customer at the market, said that there is a substantial difference in quality and price. But one has to reach the spot early in the morning.
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