IndiaRetailBiz

Although, small traders are up in arms against entry of Reliance in retail sector, particularly in the business of fruits & vegetables, Reliance can take solace from farmers, who are happy saying, “the firm’s entry into vegetable business is bringing them good money - and on time,” according to an IANS report.

In the past two weeks, vegetable vendors, over the loss of their trade to organised retailers, have attacked Reliance ‘Fresh’ stores in Ranchi and have also staged demonstrations and burnt effigies of its Chairman Mukesh Ambani in Indore.

While, the left parties since beginning are opposed to the entry of organised sector in retail business, George Fernanded, trade union leader and ex- Defence Minister, after Ranchi protests, has also joined the cause of small traders.

The farmers, who never got good prices for their produce thanks to the middlemen in trade are, however, happy.
“Earlier, the middlemen ruled the market and decided the prices of vegetables. We had no say in the market,” said Baikunth Mahto, a farmer in Jharkhand near Ranchi.

“We had to reach the market by 9 AM every day to sell our produce. Any delay would mean a big loss. Now with the Reliance collection centers, we don’t have to fear about the vegetables rotting, even tomatoes,” agreed Sohan Munda another farmer. “Every year we suffered a huge loss in tomato production. Extra production would cause a dip in prices and we were unable to recover the investment,” he added.

The farmers, in short, are enthused to grow more vegetables as they get good prices from Reliance.