As part of the effort of the CROPS4HD project to increase the availability of NUS and agroecological crops and products, separate market spaces have been established for agroecological producers in India.
Between the launch of the project in 2021 and the end of December 2023, 18 market spaces were created: 5 in the State of Odisha, 5 in West Bengal and 8 in Karnataka. These spaces were established both in rural and in peri-urban areas. In total, 276 producers participated, and 12600 consumers were reached.
The initiative has been instrumental in enabling farmers to access the market and directly sell their crops and products to local consumers at incremental prices. Some of the crops and produce were sold with 4-5% premium price. Further, one of the positive impacts noted are the immediate or before sold-out products.
By establishing separate spaces, producers and consumers regularly interact, which builds trust and awareness, thus leading to the promotion of NUS consumption. A general increase in consumer footfall of these market spaces has been noted. Separate market spaces also provide a space for farmers to gain an identity as ecological farmers within the community. Some farmers shared that participating in separate market spaces improved their dignity and self-identification as ecology farmers.
As such, Sitadevi, a 42-year-old woman from Banka-dobar village, proudly shares how she is recognized by the local representative and officials for her agroecology farming and for providing safe food to future generations in the community.
Overall, the establishment of separate market spaces is a significant step towards achieving the project objectives of local food system transformation, as the barriers to access markets are lowered and sustainable alternative marketing opportunities are created for smallholder producers.
