The Kudumbasree District Mission in Kozhikode is planning to organise monthly bazaars at block level or taluk level to market the products of its members. District mission coordinator T.P. Muhammed Basheer told The Hindu that it was the tremendous success of the Onachanthas (Onam bazaars) in the district that motivated the district mission to think about monthly bazaars.
“There are many Kudumbasree units that orient their production with Onam in view. It is only during Onam that they can sell off their products. Through monthly bazaars, we plan to give them more exposure and opportunity to market their products,” Mr. Basheer said.
Kudumbasree Onachanthas were held in every panchayat during the week before Onam.
The turnover of the Onachanthas in the district amounts to Rs.2.6 crores this year, while it was only 1.7 crore last year.
The Kudumbasree has played a major role in making indigenous products available to one and all during the Onam. The products include the essential snacks like banana chips and Unniyappam to organic vegetables produced by the Kudumbasree members themselves.
The preservative-free pickles and other food products were also in great demand at the Kudumbasree counters. The apparel and bag units of the Kudumbasree, besides the Kudumbasree Café counters too made good sales during the season.
Apart from the Onachanthas, the Kudumbasree Home-shops that are engaged in door to door sales had good sales during Onam.
“People who are aware of the quality of the Kudumbasree products usually asked the Home-shop agents to get them certain products for Onam”, Mr. Basheer said.
The monthly bazaars would be a good outlet for the Home-shops too, he said and added that the bazaars would eventually be attached to the weekly markets held in every panchayat these days.
