Sat Nov 22 06:14:50 UTC 2025: Okay, here’s a summary of the article and a rewritten version as a news article:
Summary:
A study by the Central University of Karnataka (CUK) in Kalaburagi has found that vegetable farmers receive less than half of what consumers pay, due to a chain of intermediaries and lack of market information. The study suggests a cooperative model similar to the Karnataka Milk Federation (KMF) to allow farmers to sell directly to consumers, stabilize prices, and improve market access. The study highlights issues such as lack of cold storage, high transport costs, and limited bargaining power for farmers. It also notes consumer willingness to try direct delivery of fresh produce. The researchers propose a system with village-level collection centers, cooperative transport, central hubs for processing, and farmer-led retail outlets and online platforms.
News Article:
Karnataka Study Reveals Vegetable Farmers Shortchanged, Proposes KMF-Style Cooperative
Kalaburagi, Karnataka – November 22, 2025 – A new study from the Central University of Karnataka (CUK) reveals a significant disparity between the prices vegetable farmers receive and what consumers pay in Kalaburagi, with farmers earning less than 50% of the final retail price. Researchers attribute this gap to a complex chain of intermediaries, lack of market information, and inadequate infrastructure.
The study, conducted by Sagar Gajre under the guidance of Associate Professor Ganapati B. Sinnoor, examined the vegetable market in Kalaburagi between April 2020 and April 2022. It found that farmers struggle with limited bargaining power, high transport costs, and lack of access to cold storage facilities, forcing them to sell produce at distressed prices.
To address these challenges, the study proposes a cooperative model inspired by the successful Karnataka Milk Federation (KMF). This model would involve village-level collection centers, cooperative transport, centralized processing hubs, and farmer-led retail outlets and online platforms for direct sales to consumers.
“There is already the Horticultural Producers’ Cooperative Marketing and Processing Society (HOPCOMS), but it has not grown into a system strong enough to protect either farmers or consumers. It needs to evolve into a structure similar to KMF,” the researchers said.
The researchers suggest a pilot program in Kalaburagi, with plans to scale it up after refinements.
The study also found that while about half of the households had tried ordering online, the others had not. But most expressed willingness to try direct delivery of fresh produce if a reliable platform existed.
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