<p>Bengaluru: Amid a sharp decline in vegetable prices, farmers across Karnataka will set up their own market in Bengaluru from Saturday to Monday.</p><p>This first-of-its-kind initiative by individual farmers under the Karnataka State Farmers' Association aims to counter plummeting rates without resorting to drastic measures like dumping produce, as seen in previous years.</p><p>While inconsistent demand and supply remain the primary culprits, farmers attribute the price crash to overproduction and inadequate storage facilities.</p>.PRR project: Farmers threaten Jail Bharo as BDA begins consent awards .<p>Environmental activist and farmer leader Chukki Nanjundaswamy warned that farmers across the state are struggling to recover even their cultivation costs.</p><p>"This year, grain prices have dropped, too. Toor dal, once Rs 200 per kg, is now Rs 70-80. Ginger prices have fallen from Rs 8,000 per quintal to Rs 1,000. This is alarming," she said, adding that farmers from Hassan, Mysuru, Chamarajanagar, Mandya, Chikkaballapur, Kolar, Shivamogga, Tumakuru, and Bagalkot will participate in the three-day event.</p><p>She further blamed seed companies for influencing farmers to purchase high-yield varieties, contributing to overproduction.</p><p>To manage logistics, the farmers' association is partnering with the Lorry Drivers' Association.</p>.<p>Mysuru-based farmer Kiran Siddalingapura highlighted that the price of cabbage, carrot, beetroot, and brinjal had also nosedived.</p><p>"We are losing money on cultivation and spending extra on transportation. We hope this market, free from middlemen, will offer some relief," he said.</p><p>Prakash Kammardi, retired professor in the Department of Agricultural Economics at the University of Agricultural Sciences and a former chairman of the Karnataka Agricultural Prices Commission, noted that farmers excel at production, but struggle with marketing. He urged them to become aggregators and explore digital platforms for direct consumer interaction.</p>.<p><strong>Three-day farmer market</strong></p><p>The farmers' market will start at 4 pm on Saturday at Munivenkataiah Smaraka Bayalu Ranga Mandira at Ideal Homes Layout in Rajarajeshwari Nagar.</p><p>On April Sunday and Monday, it will take place from 7 am to 7 pm.</p><p>Local resident Gayatri said that RWAs had mobilised the community to support farmers by purchasing fresh produce. She encouraged other Bengaluru neighbourhoods to follow suit.</p><p>Shivamogga farmer leader KT Gangadhar said that growers were willing to bring fresh produce to the city weekly, if consumer demand supported it.</p><p>For more information, call 9036654365 or 9035454365.</p>
<p>Bengaluru: Amid a sharp decline in vegetable prices, farmers across Karnataka will set up their own market in Bengaluru from Saturday to Monday.</p><p>This first-of-its-kind initiative by individual farmers under the Karnataka State Farmers' Association aims to counter plummeting rates without resorting to drastic measures like dumping produce, as seen in previous years.</p><p>While inconsistent demand and supply remain the primary culprits, farmers attribute the price crash to overproduction and inadequate storage facilities.</p>.PRR project: Farmers threaten Jail Bharo as BDA begins consent awards .<p>Environmental activist and farmer leader Chukki Nanjundaswamy warned that farmers across the state are struggling to recover even their cultivation costs.</p><p>"This year, grain prices have dropped, too. Toor dal, once Rs 200 per kg, is now Rs 70-80. Ginger prices have fallen from Rs 8,000 per quintal to Rs 1,000. This is alarming," she said, adding that farmers from Hassan, Mysuru, Chamarajanagar, Mandya, Chikkaballapur, Kolar, Shivamogga, Tumakuru, and Bagalkot will participate in the three-day event.</p><p>She further blamed seed companies for influencing farmers to purchase high-yield varieties, contributing to overproduction.</p><p>To manage logistics, the farmers' association is partnering with the Lorry Drivers' Association.</p>.<p>Mysuru-based farmer Kiran Siddalingapura highlighted that the price of cabbage, carrot, beetroot, and brinjal had also nosedived.</p><p>"We are losing money on cultivation and spending extra on transportation. We hope this market, free from middlemen, will offer some relief," he said.</p><p>Prakash Kammardi, retired professor in the Department of Agricultural Economics at the University of Agricultural Sciences and a former chairman of the Karnataka Agricultural Prices Commission, noted that farmers excel at production, but struggle with marketing. He urged them to become aggregators and explore digital platforms for direct consumer interaction.</p>.<p><strong>Three-day farmer market</strong></p><p>The farmers' market will start at 4 pm on Saturday at Munivenkataiah Smaraka Bayalu Ranga Mandira at Ideal Homes Layout in Rajarajeshwari Nagar.</p><p>On April Sunday and Monday, it will take place from 7 am to 7 pm.</p><p>Local resident Gayatri said that RWAs had mobilised the community to support farmers by purchasing fresh produce. She encouraged other Bengaluru neighbourhoods to follow suit.</p><p>Shivamogga farmer leader KT Gangadhar said that growers were willing to bring fresh produce to the city weekly, if consumer demand supported it.</p><p>For more information, call 9036654365 or 9035454365.</p>