Weekly farm market: scripting success of tribespeople in Marayur

Marayoor Sandal forest division launches weekly market to ensure fair prices for organically grown farm produce from region’s tribal settlements

‘Chilla’, the weekly open market launched by the Marayoor Sandal forest division to ensure fair prices for organically grown farm produce from the region’s tribal settlements is scaling new heights.

Exactly a decade after its launch, the sales turnover here has reached ₹6.5 crore providing a stable income and marketplace for the tribespeople in 20 settlements under Marayur and Kanthallur areas in Idukki.

This initiative is spearheaded by former Marayur Divisional Forest Officer (DFO) Saby Varghese, with Range officers M.G. Vinod Kumar and B. Renjith leading the team.

Forest department officials noted that they decided to open a tribal produce market after witnessing first hand the exploitation of tribal farmers by vendors. Mr. Saby Varghese recalled, “One day, we saw a vendor purchasing produce from a tribal farmer at a rate that was only 20 percent of the actual market price. After witnessing this, we discussed the issue, and Mr. Vinod Kumar suggested the idea for a tribal produce market. That marked the origin of Chilla.”

Before the market’s inception, Marayur was plagued by rampant sandalwood smuggling, with some tribal people participating in these illegal activities. However, with the market providing a legitimate source of income, these incidents have significantly decreased. Mr. Varghese explained, “After the market opened, people received proper income.”

The market now operates every Thursday, selling over 168 types of tribal produce. Vendors from various regions come to purchase these high-quality organic items. Mr. Vinod Kumar mentioned that the market has significantly impacted the local economy. “Bird’s eye chili, eggs, and cattle are sold at the market. Over the past four years, the market has sold ₹3.33 crore worth of Chinese potato (koorka) alone. This has encouraged many tribal farmers to engage in Koorka farming,” he said.

Kathireshan, a farmer from the Kammalamkudy settlement, shared his experience, “Before Chilla, we had to sell our products to middlemen at unfair prices. Most of us are illiterate, and the vendors set the rates. But after Chilla opened, we now receive a fair price and an assured market. Many farmers have since taken up full-time farming.”