25 years on, farmers’ market to get its own compost yard

Collector V.R. Subbulaxmi inspecting the market near CMC Hospital on Anna Salai.

Twenty five years after its formation, popular uzhavar santhai (farmers’ market) near Christian Medical College (CMC) Hospital on Anna Salai that comes under Vellore Corporation’s limit will soon get its own compost unit to handle its waste.

Officials of the Department of Agricultural Marketing and Agri Business, which maintains the facility, said the farmers’ market was launched in 2000, when the concept was introduced to bypass middlemen and facilitate farmers’ direct access to consumers. Since then, it has grown in its size and patronage. “As the farmers’ market is located at the centre of the town, it is convenient to buy perishables, especially fresh vegetables, which are sold at a lesser price than in retail outlets,” said R. Vanaja, a resident.

Spread over 21,650 sq.ft, the market has 82 shops, mostly for vegetables and fruits sold by farmers from neighbouring villages. Most of the farmers are from Vellore, Anaicut, and Kaniyambadi taluks. that have over 300 farming villages. These villages are mostly located at the foothills of Jawadhu Hills near Amirthi zoo. The shops are allotted to the farmers daily on a first-cum-first serve basis.

Every day, on an average, at least 30 tonnes of vegetables and fruits are sold at the facility, the highest among the six farmers’ markets in the district.

“Handling wastes, which are generated inside the market, remains a big challenge. Steps to identify land for setting up a micro compost unit has begun,” K. Kalaiselvi, Deputy Director, Department of Agricultural Marketing and Agri Business, told The Hindu.

Collector V.R. Subbulaxmi and agricultural officials inspected the market and interacted with consumers.

Officials said that a proposal to set up 30 more shops in the market had been sent to the State government for its nod.

At present, Vellore farmers’ market, on an average, generates around 350 kg-500 kg of waste every day. Unsegregated waste is often dumped in open lands and near lakes on the outskirts of Vellore town, contaminating waterbodies.

As per plan, the compost unit will be set up on a 1,500 sq.ft. plot near the market. Officials said this would help them cut down on transport costs. Vellore Corporation has extended its support to provide technical expertise in handling the wastes. Manure generated from this unit will be given to farmers free-of-cost.

At Vellore farmers’ market, vegetables and fruits cost nearly 20% less than those sold in open markets and street shops. And, unlike in air-conditioned outlets run by corporate companies, where perishable commodities are preserved, the products here remain fresh.