February 1st, 2024 : UltraTech Cement’s integrated manufacturing unit Baikunth Cement Works, located near Raipur in Chhattisgarh, in association with National Bank for Agriculture and Rural Development (NABARD) revived a Haat (rural market) in Bahesar village located in the proximity of the unit. The revived Haat helped small farmers sell their produce directly to the villagers at fair prices, removing the need for middlemen and helping secure sustainable livelihoods.
Nearly 30 suicides were committed every day in the farming sector in India during 2014-2022 primarily due to farmer’s bankruptcy and indebtedness, as per the recent National Crime Records Bureau report. Shedding light on their causes, the 62nd report of the Standing Committee on Agriculture (2018-2019) on ‘Agriculture Marketing and Role of Weekly Gramin Haats’ presented to Lok Sabha that the distance to the nearest APMC market, failure to join price discovery auction process, dominance of middleman in APMCs, lack of transportation facilities etc. propel majority of small and marginal farmers to dispose of their surplus agriculture produce locally at an unreasonably low prices.
The Department of Agriculture, Cooperation and Farmers Welfare, Government of India stated in the same report that the Haats, being located in rural and interior areas serve as first meeting points to a large number of farmers to sell 90% of the total marketable surplus. Since these markets are located nearer to the production centres, bringing the farm produce by farmers to these markets not only reduces the transportation cost but transit and other losses as well. In this scenario, the Haat provides a viable and efficient alternative platform for farmers to sell their produce if these are provided with adequate infrastructure facilities.
The Haat in Bahesar village although located strategically with easy access for villagers of four nearby villages, had become dysfunctional owing to lack of infrastructure and Covid-induced restrictions. The local farmers, most of whom were daily wagers, travelled from door to door in these four villages to sell their produce. As this was fresh produce such as fruits and vegetables with very short shelf life, the farmers were often forced to sell their produce to middlemen at throwaway prices.
In an endeavour to revive the Haat and help the farmers, Baikunth Cement Works team, in association with NABARD Raipur and Gram Panchayat, Bahesar repaired the Haat and augmented the facilities by erecting a shed for farmers and constructing a walkway for customers. The team also made the Haat more women-friendly by constructing a dedicated ladies’ toilet as well as installing a CCTV surveillance setup. The Haat, which was made operational in 2023, helps over 80 local farmers to sell their produce directly to the villagers. This has resulted in the farmers earning an extra income between INR 5,000 to 10,000 per month providing them a reliable source of livelihood.
UltraTech undertakes its social initiatives under the aegis of The Aditya Birla Centre for Community Initiatives and Rural Development with Mrs. Rajashree Birla as its Chairperson. UltraTech’s CSR focus areas are education, healthcare, sustainable livelihoods, community infrastructure and social causes. UltraTech reaches out to more than 1.6 million beneficiaries in over 500 villages in 16 states across India.
