Khammam: To boost livelihood opportunities and social linkages for farmers, a 600 sq feet modernized rural market was dedicated to the community at Manchukonda village on Tuesday. This is Syngenta’s second rural market under its I-CLEAN (Inculcating Cleanliness Learning, Education, Awareness and New Habits) initiative in Telangana.
The company has also consutrcted a waiting area at the primary health centre equipped with chairs, ceiling fans and lights to cater to the comfort of the patients and their families, especially in rainy and summer weather.
The purpose of developing and modernizing such producer-area market is to ensure that they remain the focal point for displaying local produce to outside buyers. Besides, they provide a point where the bulking-up of produce can occur. This market will act as a model in the future as the authorities plan to develop more such markets in Koppal and other districts in the state.
The market includes raised platforms with two roof sheds, six roof ventilators, a complete drainage system and cement roads surrounding the market. The use of stewardship messages and paintings has been done to create awareness among the villagers about hygiene, sanitation.
Inaugurating the project, Telangana’s Agriculture Minister Shri Thummala Nageswara Rao said, “This rural market is going to cater to nearly 75 traders predominantly from the farming community from the villages in and around Munchkonda.” The Hon’ble Minister also thanked Syngenta for their noble service to the farmers of Khammam district.
Dr KC Ravi, Chief Sustainability Officer, Syngenta India, said: “This market promises to bring about a paradigm shift in the livelihood opportunities for farmers in the district. This is a unique initiative by us under our CSR, and we are happy to see the results of this unique public private partnershop, aimed at doubling farmers’ incomes.” He added that there is a need to coordinate and partner the upgrading of rural markets so that the associated infrastructure and services are maximized to increase the incomes of farmers across the country.
Dr Ravi highlighted that Syngenta’s I-CLEAN initiative is a social awareness and intervention program. He further added that, “Syngenta has been on the I-CLEAN journey since 2014, and so far have built 26 rural haats in Bihar and Karnataka benefiting over 200,000 people. Through this program, we have gone beyond the mere construction of toilets. Our initiative helps and enables communities, particularly in rural and remote areas, to lead a dignified life”.
The I-CLEAN project has been implemented by “EFFORT” an NGO based in Guntur
