Middlemen's exploitation undermines Growers' Market scheme

Fifteen years ago, Growers' Markets were launched across 16 districts in North Bengal, including Bogura, with the goal of ensuring fair prices for farmers and connecting them directly to wholesalers. 

Established under the North-West Crop Diversification Project (NCDP) in Rajshahi and Rangpur divisions, these markets were designed to empower farmers—especially women—and foster small entrepreneurship. 

However, most of these markets have failed to meet their objectives. Instead of benefiting farmers, middlemen have taken control, leaving farmers deprived of fair prices for their products.

Lack of oversight has allowed middlemen and influential traders to dominate these markets, turning the initiative into little more than a signboard. 

Facilities intended for the use of farmers—such as modern packing houses, grading, washing units, and storage areas—are now under the control of middlemen, preventing farmers from utilising them as intended.

Disparity between goal and reality

In the fiscal year 2007-08, around Tk 3.6 crore was allocated for the establishment of four Growers' Markets in Bogra, aimed at reducing poverty and generating employment. The Asian Development Bank contributed another Tk 57.6 crore for markets across Rajshahi and Rangpur. These markets were equipped with modern infrastructure to support farmers. However, on the ground, farmers continue to face barriers to selling their products at fair prices, while local traders and middlemen take advantage of the facilities.

At Mahasthan Bazar in Bogura and the Sherpur Rural Development Academy (RDA) wholesale market, many farmers have reported being forced to sell their produce to middlemen at low prices, bypassing the markets' intended benefits. Additionally, some spaces meant for women entrepreneurs, a key component of the project, have been closed for years. The project's goal of empowering women and promoting small businesses has largely failed due to the dominance of syndicate traders who control the facilities.

Middlemen's control and lack of women’s participation

Middlemen have taken control of the markets, using them for their own benefit while farmers struggle to compete. In markets like Mahasthan and others across the northern districts, women who were supposed to have dedicated spaces to run businesses are completely excluded. 

The promised empowerment has not materialised, leaving women farmers without the support they were promised.

Ainul Haque, supervisor of Mahasthan Retail Market, noted that women are absent from the markets despite designated areas for them. Instead, influential traders and wholesalers dominate the space, buying vegetables from farmers and reselling them. This has further alienated women from the opportunities the project aimed to provide.

Failure to supervise and lack of action

The lack of supervision by the Local Government Engineering Department (LGED) and the Department of Agricultural Marketing has contributed to the project’s failure. In some markets, local authorities have been absent for years, allowing middlemen to establish their control. 

Nazrul Islam, a market committee member, said that government officials rarely visit the market, and there is no oversight of the activities there. As a result, farmers have no opportunity to access the facilities they were promised.

Local farmer Fazlu Mia echoed this sentiment, saying that marginal farmers are unable to compete with middlemen and are forced to sell their products at unfair prices. This problem is widespread across markets in Rajshahi and Rangpur divisions, where the control of middlemen has stunted the project's potential.

A call for proper oversight

To make the Growers' Market project successful, experts stress the need for proper oversight and a market system free from middlemen’s influence. Regular supervision by local authorities and agricultural marketing officials is crucial to ensure that the markets serve their intended purpose of benefiting farmers and fostering entrepreneurship. 

KGM Faruk, Secretary of the Sushasaner Janya Pracharabhijan, emphasised that local administration and the Agricultural Marketing Department must ensure consistent monitoring and increase the participation of farmers to make the project truly effective.

The continued lack of supervision and control by influential groups has undermined the project's objectives, leaving farmers, especially women, without the benefits they were promised. The government must take immediate action to ensure the proper use of the resources invested in this initiative.