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Tamil Nadu
Timely help: The Rural Mart in Anthiyur will provide a market for self-help groups and farmers. – ERODE: As many as 110 self-help groups (SHGs) have come together in Rural Mart at Anthiyur to promote the products they manufacture. They also help the farmers by finding market for the produce. Funded by the National Bank for Agriculture and Rural Development (NABARD) and supported by MYRADA-KVK, an NGO, the Mart deals in two types of products: on field and off field. The off-field products include mats, rugs, jute products, etc., which the constituent group members manufacture. The on-field products include ragi, tamarind, honey and a few others, which the groups harvest from areas in and around Anthiyur and also Bargur hills and pack and sell. There are also agriculture-based products such as flour and pickles. In addition to marketing the on-field and off-field products, the Rural Mart, which is managed by the Marutham Community Managed Resource Centre, does more. It also learns about farmers and the local community’s needs and arranges supply of the product desired. For example, if a farmer requires chilli saplings, the Mart managers talk to a person or SHG that can raise the saplings and supply to the farmer. Likewise, if somebody wants coir ropes in bulk, the Mart managers talk to the coir rope manufacturers and arrange supply. Project Officer, MYRADA-KVK, P. Alagesan says the Mart has arranged market for organic rice, vermin compost, etc. There are many such linkages that the Mart provides. It, of course, charges a fee. Mr. Alagesan says his organisation supports by providing technical assistance and also tips for managing the Mart. The basic idea of the Mart, he explains, is to facilitate sale of farmers’ products in the Anthiyur region. The Mart draws income from sale of products and also service charge for providing linkages. NABARD AGM S. Srinivasan says the organisation has promised to fund Rs. 86, 250 for the Mart, which began operations last July. It has disbursed the first instalment of Rs. 25,875. In the past few months, the Mart has begun earning around Rs. 7,000 a month. It, however, is not enough as the expenditure is much more. Mr. Srinivasan says the Mart is yet to stabilise financially and will take a little while.
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