In an effort to make life a little easier for the citizens, the Andhra Pradesh Agricultural Marketing Department has decided to give the nod to 75 new mobile rythu bazars (MRBs) in the twin cities. These MRBs will operate in colonies where there are no actual rythu bazars and wherever, the latter are too far from residential areas. “We are going to give permission to 75 mobile rythu bazars to sell vegetables where the bazars are not present,” PS Pradyumna, chief executive officer of rythu bazars, confirmed to City Express. Last year, the Agricultural Marketing Department had given the green signal for 14 MRBs. “In 2012, we have given permission to 25 MRBs so far. The process of receiving applications is going on. We have received around 50 applications for new MRBs,” Pradyumna said.

The mobile rythu bazar scheme was launched in 2002 with four vehicles but following its failure, it was all but forgotten. But with the population of Hyderabad increasing significantly since then, the department revived it last year. “It is better to give permission to MRBs as there is not much space left to set up new rythu bazars. If a group of three-four farmers come forward and apply, the government will give them permission to run an MRB,” Pradyumna said.

The farmers are more than happy with the department’s move. K Komaraiah, a small farmer from Rangareddy district who got permission to run an MRB last year, said this was a win-win situation for both consumers and the farmers. “We get self-employment and people too get vegetables at a fair price. I run my MRB in KPHB Colony and make around `5,000 every day. I have two partners and two workers,”  he added.

In some areas like RK Puram, Kukatpally and Mehdipatnam, MRBs are already operating but there is a need for them in Ramanthapur, Vidyanagar, Nizampet, Basheerbagh, Himayathnagar, MLA Quarters, Nallakunta, Banjara Hills, Film Nagar and Secunderabad.