Farmers\' market set to achieve record turnover

KATTAPPANA: The Swayasraya Karshaka Vipani (SKV) at Kamakshy under the Vegetable and Fruit Promotion Council, Keralam, (VFPCK) is all set to create record with the total turnover already crossing Rs.2.5 crore.



An official with VFPCK told The Hindu on Wednesday that the Kamakshy SKV had made the third highest business turnover in the State last year. This financial year, Mazhavannur SKV in Ernakulam district has also crossed the Rs.2.5-crore mark in sales turnover. �Only after getting the final figures of sales till March, we can know which SKV comes first this financial year� said the official. The Mazhavannur SKV emerged first last year.



However, the Kamakshy SKV will be setting a record in the sale of vegetables in the district. The Thopramkudy SKV has also crossed the Rs.2 crore mark.



Bindu Chandran, project resource group in-charge, said that when the last project report was released the total turnover of Kamakshy SKV was Rs.2.86 crore. She also said that the four SKVs in the Vathikudy grama panchayat in Idukki district are also major partners of VFPCK. Across the State, 237 SKVs are functioning under VFPCK.



The SKVs are major price stabilising agencies for vegetable farmers in the district. About 350 farmers and 25 self help groups are registered with the Kamakshy SKV. Bitter gourds, beans, tubers and plantain varieties are the major items marketed through the Kamakshy SKV.