NABARD Rural Marketplace launched at Vriddhachalam

Officials from the National Bank for Agriculture and Rural Development draw attention to the Mobile Rural Mart at Vriddhachalam in Cuddalore district.

National Bank for Agriculture and Rural Development (NABARD) has launched a mobile ‘Rural Mart’ to improve market access and income for small and marginal farmers affiliated to Farmer Producer Organization (FPO) at Vriddhachalam in Cuddalore district.

This initiative combines on-farm procurement, retail on wheels, distribution of agricultural inputs and logistics support to value-added units. The mobile market will sell value-added goods produced by FPOs such as cashews, pulses, millets and processed foods directly to consumers at weekly markets, fairs and village markets, cutting out middlemen and improving price realization for farmers.

The van will also pick up products at the farm gate, transport raw materials to cleaning, sorting and processing units and transport finished products to warehouses and points of sale.

According to C. Sasi Kumar, Assistant Director General, NABARD, “The project is designed to reach hinterland and inaccessible villages where public transport and market infrastructure are limited and ensure inclusion of small landholders and marginal farmers. Apart from retail and procurement, the ‘Rural Mart’ will distribute seeds, fertilizers, pesticides and agricultural implements on demand across the FPO member network, reducing delays and improving logistics coordination for members FPO.”

Ownership, operation and monitoring will remain with the FPO. Internal committees will oversee day-to-day management, planning, contract pricing and record keeping to maintain transparency and accountability.

According to an Agriculture Department official, the mobile mart is expected to generate annual sales of ₹1.97 million, with a projected net profit of ₹12.6 million. Mobile delivery will shorten supply chains, improve farmers’ margins and increase the visibility of regionally produced goods such as cashews.

Published – 13 Jul 2026 21:03 IST