Coming soon, a vegetable market at your doorstep

Fresh fruits, vegetables and flowers will soon be just a call away for residents of the city. For Haryana State Agricultural Marketing Board (HSAMB) is planning to launch its ‘Market on Wheels — Haryana mandi fresh’ scheme in Gurgaon and Faridabad next month. The scheme was a great success in Chandigarh, Panchkula and Rohtak.

“We received an overwhelming response from consumers in Chandigarh, Panchkula and Rohtak. This motivated us to introduce the project on a pilot basis in Gurgaon. If it is a success here, we might extend the facility to the national Capital,” said TVSN Prasad, chief administrator, HSAMB.

Through the scheme, the HSAMB attempts to link the farmers directly with the consumers to ensure better remunerations to farmers and affordable prices to consumers and minimise the role of middlemen. People can call up the central call centre in Panchkula and place their orders.

Vegetables, in a special air-conditioned vehicle, which prevents the commodities from turning stale, will be delivered at people’s doorsteps as per the scheduled date. “Three vehicles will be started on a trial basis,” said Prasad.

Exotic fruits and vegetables and organic produce are given preference as they face market barriers. The project has been successful in Chandigarh-Panchkula in the past eight months and in Rohtak since May last year. There are nine vehicles for the service in Chandigarh and two in Rohtak.

There was a lot of hue and cry over the past week after vegetable prices sky-rocketed due to supply constraints amid rainfall in various states.