Usually, farmers of our country do not get fair prices for their produce in the local markets because of manifold factors, including absence of sufficient buyers and lack of transport facilities, but the scenario at Aditmari upazila in Lalmonirhat is totally different for a unique initiative.
Vegetables growers of the district and their buyers both are exultant as they have been getting fair price since the establishment of a toll-market “Naksa Sabji Bazar” at Vatapara village of Saptibari union of the upazila.
Moreover, both the sellers-buyers do not need to pay toll while purchasing and selling their produces.
The market has been running at the village since March 2012 and it has brought new opportunity for the ultra-poor people living at 15 villages.
CARE Bangladesh has set up the bazaar with the help of three local landlords under its Setu Project.
Community Facilitator of Setu Project Mizanul Islam said he had built up a connection with the local landlords – Nurudin, Kader Munshi and Sudhir Chandra.
Finally, the three landlords agreed to donate 10 decimal land for building the vegetable market.
The donated land were registered in the name of Naksa Sabji Bazar and the market started its journey in March 2012.
“Setu Projcet also donated Tk220,000 for the filling of the market,” said Mizanul Islam, adding that Tk 200,000 was also given to vegetable growers to build tin-shed shops.
Now there are 20 small shops of different essential commodities in the market. Vegetable growers come here to sell their produced crops every day.
At least 500 to 600 villagers come here to sell and purchase agri-produce.
Manik Miah, a grocery shop owner, said his business was going fantastic. He sells commodities at fair prices and buyers are also happy as they get commodities at fair price, he said.
Birendra Nath, who is a vegetable grower, said: “I come to the market to sell our produced vegetable and I get fair price from here without any hassle.”
The market has brought change in socio-economic condition of many ultra poor people.