Are Uzhavar Shandhais Helping the Farmers to Reap Higher Profits in Marketing of Fruits and Vegetables in Tamil Nadu?

To facilitate direct marketing of agricultural produce by the farmers, the Government of Tamil Nadu has implemented a scheme called Uzhavar Shandhais. The study has outlined the features and growth of these Uzhavar Shandhais, socio-economic features of farmers linked to these markets and has identified the determinants of profits accruing to farmers at these local markets. In 2008–09, there were 153 Uzhavar Shandhais which marketed 1609 Mt of fruits and vegetables worth 192 lakh to 2,71,685 consumers with the involvement of 7526 farmers per day. The study has found that Uzhavar Shandhais helped the farmers in getting larger profits and consumers in getting fresh fruits and vegetables at rates cheaper than the market rates. Alternative source of income has been found as the major determinant of utilizing a Uzhavar Shandai by the farmers. Looking at their utility, the government should widen the network of these markets and should provide facilities like computer, etc. at these markets.