KOCHI: Urban residents with a yearning for traditional varieties of vegetables have found an outlet — the Agricultural Urban Wholesale Market . Fresh produce from regions like Alangad, Karumaloor, Parakadavu, Nedumbassery, Chellanam, Chengamanad, Mulanthuruthy, Nedumbassery and Kunnathunadu are being purchased with vigour.“Kochiites with roots in villages did not have access to items like banana stem and flower, ‘taal’, drumstick leaf, jackfruit and different varieties of banana, earlier,” said Sherly A Baby, Deputy Director, Agricultural Urban Wholesale Market. “The market provides an opportunity for urban residents to buy rural produce. Whatever the farmers bring here, it is sold out. Maybe it is because Onam is near. But farmers are happy that their revenue is exceeding expectations and people in the city are happy with their purchase.”The market administration has formed groups within the farming community in different regions to streamline the process of procurement and transport. “We have a central committee comprising farmers from these regions to monitor the functioning of the market. The farmers are satisfied with the way things are going,” said Sherly Baby.Interestingly, the market is set to welcome organic produce which will arrive from Chellanam from August 15. “The organic produce will arrive at the market from next week. Vegetables like snake gourd, bitter gourd and spinach cultivated using organic methods will be marketed,” she said.
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