Kerala Govt launches comprehensive system to regulate vegetable prices ahead of Onam

Palakkad: Ahead of the Onam season, an extensive Agricultural Information Network is being established to regulate vegetable prices across Kerala. This initiative aims to enhance market transparency and manage price fluctuations, especially during the festive period.

Under the coordination of the Directorate of Agriculture Development, data has been integrated from 216 markets statewide into a unified system. This system includes information from the Agriculture Directorate's price control cell and six major wholesale markets: Anayara, Nedumangad, Maradu, Muvattupuzha, Vengeri, and Sultan Bathery.

The network also incorporates data from 92 major vegetable markets across various districts and 117 prominent trade centres managed by VFPCK (Vegetable and Fruit Promotion Council Keralam). Detailed price information for over 300 agricultural products will be categorised and made available. Information about more than 2,000 product varieties will be accessible for analysis, according to the department officials.

Officials emphasised the collection of at least 21 days of price data, per month, to monitor market trends closely. In cases of price hikes or shortages, intervention measures will be implemented immediately. Special collection agents will be stationed at key locations to ensure the accuracy and reliability of market information.

Farmers and stakeholders will receive real-time updates via mobile phones through the Agriculture Marketing platform developed by the National Informatics Center (NIC). Direct procurement from farmers will also be facilitated, where necessary, to streamline the marketing process.

The market chain will involve block-level federated clusters, eco-shops, ‘A’ grade cluster markets, weekly markets, roadside markets, village markets, and premium outlets. Officials also emphasised that 295 self-help farmers' committees under VFPCK will also be involved to support operations where required.