Weekly-market is a government initiative which allows farmers to sell produce directly to consumers. At present, there are 27 outlets in Pune, 3 in Nagpur, and 1 in Thane. Maharashtra's Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis recently inaugurated one such market.
"Here, the consumers will get farm fresh vegetables weighed on electronic scales and priced at reasonable rates. The farmers will get the right to fix the price of their produce and get an authorised outlet to sell their produce," Mr Fadnavis said.
The products sold will be fresh -- raw, semi-ripe, rotten, broken or over-ripe agriculture produce will not be allowed.
Weekly markets, he said, are a typical fixture in rural Maharashtra.
These bazars will be organised on a fixed day of the week to sell vegetables and fruits produced in Maharashtra. The farmers will get training from the officials of the Cooperation and Marketing departments.
In a statement, the government said the expenses incurred on facilities like booking amount for the site, furniture, drinking water, light, waste disposal, parking and security shall be borne jointly by the farmers, farmers' groups and farmers' companies. The selection of the sponsor shall be made by the marketing board.
Source: ndtv.com
