Middlemen Taking Advantage Of Farmers
Technology today has made it easier than ever for farmers to get their products direct to the consumer.
Previously, if you wanted to get in touch with the farmer directly, the most common way that people went about doing this was by going to their local farmers market. There, you could ask questions about where the food is directly coming from, how it's grown etc. But for the farmer to attend a variety of farmers markets it takes him time and money and no guarantee that the goods will be sold.
By placing their goods for sale online it boosts the convenience on their end and gives consumers an option to buy things directly from the farmer that might even come with a significant discount. It's enabling farmers to develop a significant relationship with those who are interested in consuming their products.
Aside from going to farmers markets, farmers also have the option of going to wholesale customers and other local buyers. And in India for example, many farmers there still rely heavily on agents to auction off their vegetables and other goods.
The auction of the goods is allegedly dominated by agents, working on commission, and they've been able to form their own monopoly; forcing farmers to sell at prices they might not have if they had other options available to them. They start selling very early in the morning, sometimes as early as 4am, and the prices for their goods allegedly see a downward trend sometime after 7am, so there is a lot of pressure to sell as soon as they can.
Many have criticized the agents involved and said that they are looting the farmers. Agents previously threatened the government that they would protest if they were taken out of the exchange with the farmers; if their position was threatened in any way.
Farmers in the area see the agents as being valuable to them because they don't have the ability or knowledge yet to be able to take care of the logistics and distribution involved with selling their goods.
But just as technology has made it easy for farmers in the US and elsewhere to put their goods online, hopefully it will soon help farmers in India as well take more control over their livelihood. Trying to extend those exchanges to an online e-trading platform is one task that industry experts suggest won't be an easy one to accomplish. It will be up to the farmers to decide whether or not they want to embrace such a change.
Permitting a little bit of freedom here would enable the farmers to be able to find a true market value for their goods, rather than having to sell them through what many perceive to be cartels.
Pics:
Pixabay
Pixabay
via Fotolia.com
Sources:
https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/economy/agriculture/how-e-trading-in-fruits-vegetables-can-help-farmers-beat-canny-middlemen/articleshow/62078985.cms
http://indiatoday.intoday.in/story/commssion-agents-furious-over-direct-payment-to-punjab-farmers/1/211381.html
https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/chandigarh/police-book-commission-agent-farmer-outfit-ends-protest/articleshow/61886549.cms
http://www.tribuneindia.com/news/bathinda/farmers-commission-agents-continue-protest/451296.html
https://blogs.wsj.com/indiarealtime/2014/02/26/farmers-struggle-to-escape-middlemen/
Related Posts:
New Startup Enables Farmers To Sell Their Goods Direct To Consumers
Campbell Trying To Spice Things Up By Going Direct To Consumer
Grass-Fed Startup Offering Delivery Service To 48 States
https://steemit.com/news/@doitvoluntarily/grass-fed-startup-offering-delivery-service-to-48-states
Cow-Funding To Meet Grass-Fed Consumer Demands
https://steemit.com/cowfunding/@doitvoluntarily/cow-funding-to-meet-grass-fed-consumer-demands
Family is from Kansas so I know how tough a life farming can be. Also know the great work ethic created. I really respect farmers.
This is so great for farmers ( which are a dying breed ) and awesome for the consumers who are demanding better quality direct from the farmers @doitvoluntarily ! And its so much easier to find what your lookin for such as free range eggs or even chickens to buy for your homestead so you can get your own eggs everyday ! I certainly prefer to grow or get my own food as much as possible with a garden on my property once I move to the country , but for those who live in town , checking out the local farmers in the surrounding area is the next best thing ! Lots of times they also give you extra stuff or free stuff when they have bumper crops or after they have harvested you can go get what you want for free ! great pos , thanks for sharing !upped an resteemed👌💕✌😊
We had similar issues in my country and it was always coming down to middlemen being needed so more people will have a job
I mean, can you imagine a world where only one produces and sells while everyone else sits and eats?
Yeah, I know, have them doing different jobs. Good luck with technology making less and less people needed to produce something.
nother great step would be getting the blockchain involved in this :)
Blockchain and farming food!
Great post! Blockchain examples are Demeter and Smartlands.io
Good technology read~ rt 👏
Our community they survived there life by agricultural lifestyles, event now we have technology and gas
It always comes back to money. If someone see an opportunity or smells it, they will take advantage of you. Farmers are nice gentle people and are good targets. Good info here. Thanks @doitvoluntarily
Since the dawn of time farmers have been exploited. It was always the base of every ccommunity, but all other professions would get a bigger share of the pie.
Now, crypto, blockchain and even small resource based economy projects are going to tip the scales in their favor, as they will have more power than ever before.
Another great step would be getting the blockchain involved in this :)
Blockchain and farming food!