The public is still reeling from the effects of the Covid-induced lockdowns, which were implemented in stages beginning in early 2020. Prices for vegetables and grains have skyrocketed from the time they leave the farms to the time they reach the average person’s kitchen. Prices rise dramatically as the product travels from farmers to markets, wholesalers, and vendors.
The farmer grows vegetables in the field and sells them at government-mandated markets (mandis), however several fees are incurred while transporting these to the mandi, such as transportation costs to the arhtiya or commission agent. In Uttar Pradesh’s mandi committees, 2.5 percent of the farmer’s goods are paid for, and arhtiya likewise charges 2.5 percent fee. The price of the vegetable rises by 5% in this country.
The Uttar Pradesh government has decreased mandi committee tariffs from 2.5 to 1.5 percent in order to provide relief to farmers. That example, instead of the previous 5%, farmers must now pay only 4% of the entire price. Despite this, by the time farm items reach the average man’s kitchen, their price has skyrocketed. Foodgrains are sold in market committees to large and wholesale traders, as well as retailers, who recuperate the costs of shipping, packaging, and the overall cost of foodgrains.
From the field to the average man’s kitchen, the price of a product worth Rs 10 rises to Rs 25 to 30. Bad weather, transportation disruptions, and higher gasoline and diesel prices all contribute to higher product prices. The route from the farm to the kitchen is becoming more expensive by the day, and the average person’s budget is constantly reducing. S.P. Yadav, an arhtiya at Ghaziabad mandi, told IANS that when a farmer arrives to the mandi with his commodities, he brings it here by adding the farm price, labour costs, and transportation costs. After the commission agent takes 2.5 percent of the farmers’ commission and the market committee takes 1.5 percent, the price of the items begins to rise.
(source : IANS)
