First organic fruit stall at Rythu Bazaar

Visakhapatnam: The first ever organic fruit stall was established at one of the biggest MVP Rythu Bazaars in the city on Thursday. In association with ITDA-Paderu and Velugu department, the tribal farmers established their fruit stall at Rythu Bazaar to sell organic fruits to the citizens.

At the inaugural function, the farmers established the custard apple stall and the organisers said that more fruits would be sold in the stalls later. While inaugurating the fruit stall, Collector Pravin Kumar welcomed the first ever organic fruit stall at the Rythu Bazaar.

The Collector said that the custard apple farmers formed a group and two stalls were allocated in every Rythu Bazaar of total six bazaars in the city. The farmers would sell their produce and get good prices at the Rythu Bazaars, he added. Joint Collector G Srujana would supervise the tribal farmers group, he added.

The ITDA selected as many as 720 farmers, who are cultivating the custard apple, from 55 gram panchayats. It is expected that the group would sell about 60 metric tonnes of custard apples in the present season.

The Collector assured the farmers that the district administration would provide necessary help to the tribal farmers. The Collector assured to sanction subsidies to the tribal farmers through ITDA horticulture department.

ITDA Project Officer of Paderu DK Balaji thanked the Collector and Joint Collector who immediately sanctioned stalls to the tribal farmers in the city Rythu Bazaars.

Joint Collector G Srujana explained the importance of the organic fruits and nutritious value. She called upon the people to buy the organic fruits and cooperate with the tribal farmers. 

After consulting with Rythu Bazaar Advisory Board, Consumers Association and farmers, more forest produce would be kept available at Rythu Bazaars soon, she added.