Farmers Market to be held weekly in Sophia, monthly across regions
The Ministry of Agriculture will host a Farmers Market this and every Wednesday at the Sophia Exhibition Complex, while similar farmers markets will be held at least once monthly across the regions, as government continues efforts to connect farmers directly with consumers and help ease food prices.
While visiting the Farmers Market on Wednesday at the Sophia Exhibition complex, Minister of Agriculture Zulfikar Mustapha made the announcement during the launch of the Farmers Market in Sophia.
Farmers and vendors offered a range of fresh and other locally produced items at competitive prices.
“This here will be a weekly initiative from the Ministry of Agriculture. We want to set up this market to cushion and help consumers to get a cheaper price for items,” Minister Mustapha said.
The Minister noted that the direct interaction between farmers and consumers can help reduce the additional mark-ups that often occur as produce passes through intermediaries before reaching the market.
“Farmers will get a better price, first of all, but consumers will also enjoy a better price. Over the years, we know for a fact that the middlemen always add up and put a lot of markup on these products,” he said.
Minister Mustapha added that the initiative will not be limited to Sophia, with the Ministry planning to replicate the Farmers Market across the country.
The Sophia market will be held every Wednesday from 3:30 pm, while regional markets will be held at least once monthly.
Meanwhile, farmers participating in the market day welcomed the opportunity to bring their produce directly to consumers.
Farmer Christopher Bhukhan said the market allows farmers to demonstrate the cost involved in producing food while giving them an avenue to offer produce at reasonable prices.
“You are buying directly from farmers. So, we could afford to sell at a reasonable price,” Bhukhan said.
Another farmer, Nirmala Sukhu, who recently received training through the Small Business Bureau (SBB), the Farmers Market provides a necessary means for producers, particularly those starting out, to showcase and sell their products.
Meanwhile, Orin Brummel, who recently began producing organically, described the initiative as an “excellent idea”, noting that regular access to the market could help new farmers reach consumers more easily.
Also welcoming the initiative, consumer, Oliva Ward was relieved particularly by the opportunity to purchase fresh produce at lower prices.
Ward, learned about the Farmers Market on social media and attended for the first time, noting that the initiative was timely given the current cost of food.
“It feels very good because the prices in the market is very high right now. So it’s good actually getting it at a lesser price,” she said.
Also visiting the farmers market for the first time, Teanisha Alleyne welcomed the announcement of a weekly market, sharing that the price at the market is favourable compared to what she normally pays.
“I came today and I didn’t know what to expect because this is my first farmers’ market. But from what I’m seeing, I’m really looking forward to being here next week,” Alleyne said.
The initiative supports government’s broader efforts to strengthen the agriculture sector, bring more market opportunities for farmers and provide consumers with greater access to locally produced food at affordable prices.
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