Bengaluru 15 May

In a new initiative aimed at providing better market access to farmers while generating employment, HOPCOMs launched a mobile fruit and vegetable sales scheme in apartment complexes across the city.  This public-private partnership model invites unemployed youth to partner with Horticultural Producers' Cooperative Marketing and Processing Society (HOPCOMs) to sell fresh produce directly to apartment residents at fixed prices. According to HOPCOMs Managing Director Mirji Umesh Shankar, participants can earn between Rs 50,000 and Rs 60,000 per month. HOPCOMs will supply the produce and identify apartment complexes for the mobile sales. Interested individuals will be required to make a refundable deposit, and a 10 per cent incentive will be given on monthly sales performance. This marks the first time HOPCOMs is venturing into a mobile retail model with private participation.