Originally reported and written in July 2023, this story has been republished as part of our archival content.

Maharashtra’s Sachin Gore grows sugarcane and turmeric in his 3.5-acre farmland but was always dependent on middlemen to sell his produce.

“I used to sell products to middlemen at a commission of 30 percent. If I give them produce for Rs 90 per kg, they sell it for Rs 120-150. So, they were the ones reaping the profits for my produce,” he tells The Better India.

Exploitation by intermediaries in the farming sector is a longstanding issue. Despite being the producers, farmers receive less income in the farm-to-consumer supply chain, which is controlled by middlemen.

A few years back, the 43-year-old farmer even tried to take his life. “Our situation was very bad. We would not get sufficient income for our produce. I have a family of eight to look after,” shares the Gove village resident.

Today, the farmer can sell his produce-based products, like jaggery and turmeric powder, through the Indian Farmer Entrepreneurs (IFE) Store. This online marketplace liberates farmers from middlemen's control.

“Here, we do not have to give any amount for commission. We find this system extremely beneficial for small farmers like me as we cannot sell so much produce alone. It also helps us sell to places other than Maharashtra,” says Sachin, who manages to get orders........

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