Patna: Bihar government is preparing to launch a network of “Tarkari” outlets across the state to provide vegetable farmers with better access to markets. The initiative, introduced by the state’s cooperation department, is being developed on the lines of the successful dairy cooperative model run by COMFED, which operates the Sudha Dairy brand.
The project will function under a new cooperative structure called Vegifed, created to streamline the production, collection and sale of vegetables grown by farmers. Under the plan, vegetables will be sourced directly from producers and sold through block-level Tarkari outlets, helping reduce dependence on intermediaries and strengthening the state’s vegetable supply chain.
To manage operations efficiently, Bihar has been divided into nine cooperative unions. Samastipur district has been included in the Harit Union, headquartered in Patna. Meanwhile, the Mithila Union covers the districts of Darbhanga, Madhubani, Saharsa, Supaul and Madhepura, where farmers are being integrated into the system to expand the vegetable marketing network.
The cooperation department is also developing infrastructure to support the initiative through a three-tier system. This includes vegetable collection centres at the block level, separate storage facilities for onions and small retail outlets for direct sales. A vegetable collection centre has already been completed in Tajpur in Samastipur district, while construction is underway in Patori, Dalsinghsarai, Hasanpur, Bithan and Kalyanpur.
Officials say the scheme is expected to benefit small and marginal farmers the most. Through cooperative societies, farmers will receive seeds with only 25 percent of the cost to be paid in advance. The remaining amount can be paid after harvest without any interest, easing the financial burden on growers. Farmers will also be able to sell their produce directly at the collection centres, improving their chances of securing fair prices.
The programme will initially begin as a pilot project focusing on three crops yam (ol), chilli and onion with plans to expand to other vegetables in the future. Under the Mithila Union alone, 73 blocks across Darbhanga, Madhubani, Saharsa, Supaul and Madhepura have been included, and infrastructure development is currently underway at 16 locations.
Arun Kumar, chief executive officer of the Mithila Union, said the cooperation department had adopted the COMFED model to strengthen vegetable marketing in the state. He added that infrastructure was being developed across all unions and that the system would be run through block-level vegetable producers’ associations. The Tarkari outlets are expected to start operations soon.
