Business Communication: Swadeshi Mandi 2020 || NITIE || Vocal for Local || Oos Bazaar

SOCHO BECHO SEEKHO !!!

Mahamandi is the trademark event of NITIE, Mumbai.It is organised bu the Marketing Interest Group (MIG). At Mahamandi, students get to apply what they learn in class by selling. It is a fascinating concept where students introduced by Prof T Prasad. Here we learn things from marketing and getting to learn customer behaviour.

This Independence Day, MIG has come up with a new idea of being 'Vocal for our Local' through 'Swadeshi Mandi', which will help contribute to 'Atmanirbhar Bharat'.

So here I am being Vocal for my Local product - 'Sugarcane !

Even before the call of ‘Atmanirbhar Bharat’ made Indians realise about self-reliance, the same was already being practiced in agricultural sector as a result of Green revolution. Although the impact of Green revolution was mainly seen on wheat and rice production, it also had a significant effect on production of other crops. One such crop is “Sugarcane”, which is also the largest produced crop in the world with Brazil contributing to around 40% of total yield. In Indian context Uttar Pradesh is the largest producer of sugarcane followed by Maharashtra. Even within the state the major contributing areas are the Marathwada, Sangli and Kolhapur districts.

But where we are still lacking is in the distribution and supply chain involved after the crops are harvested. Thus, in line with the theme of ‘Atmanirbhar Bharat’ and the ‘Swadeshi Mandi’ initiative of NITIE I am trying to introduce the concept of “ऊस Bazaar”. Here the bazaar will be a platform where sellers (farmers) and buyers (sugar/jaggery factory representatives) will come face to face and negotiate. This will help in the following ways:

· Eliminating the middleman - which will translate into higher earning for the farmers/producers as well as reduced price for the factory owners/consumers.

· Streamlining the supply chain – In the current scenario farmers have to wait for days in lines of sugar factories just to sell their produce. With the concept of bazaar, the producer and consumer will have a direct interaction. Thus, the responsibility as well as the date of delivery will be decided on spot, eliminating the hassle for everyone.

This can be done on pilot basis for sugarcane in Aurangabad district and later be extended for other crops and regions. This is how we can improve the distribution and ensure that all the produce generated reaches the masses at affordable prices.

Also, we look forward to inviting small scale investments for the different use cases of sugarcane.

Such as :