Kerala to run 2,000 Onam markets under Agriculture dept
Kerala will operate 2,000 Onam markets through the Agriculture department and its agencies to stabilize prices and ensure fair prices for farmers and availability of affordable produce. The plan includes specific agency allocations, funding under a price-stabilisation scheme, and a vegetable availa
Key takeaways
- The state will run 2,000 Onam markets with operations divided among Krishi Bhavans, Horticorp, and VFPCK.
- Funding of ₹10.24 crore supports price stabilisation, with additional July 2026 allocations of ₹20 crore previously approved.
- A pre-Onam campaign reported significant vegetable production, aiming to improve supply during the festival.
What Happened
The Agriculture department in Keralam plans to run 2,000 Onam markets during the festival season to stabilise prices. The Krishi Bhavans will operate 1,074 markets, Horticorp will run 766 markets, and the Vegetable and Fruit Promotion Council Keralam (VFPCK) will operate 160 markets, as per an order dated August 17. The markets aim to provide fair prices to farmers and ensure quality fruits and vegetables are available to consumers at reasonable prices during Onam. The government has sanctioned ₹10.24 crore for operating these markets under a Market Intervention Support for Price Stabilisation scheme. Earlier, in July 2026, the scheme had approved ₹20 crore to address price rises during Onam. For operating the markets, allocations include ₹5.86 crore to Krishi Bhavans, ₹89.41 lakh to VFPCK, and ₹3.44 crore to Horticorp.
Ahead of Onam, the department launched a campaign named ‘Onathinorukkam Vilavinte Vismayam 2026’ focused on ensuring vegetable availability. Agriculture Minister T. Siddique stated on August 19, 2026, that the campaign produced 2.52 lakh tonnes of vegetables across 22,137 hectares in various districts.
Why It Matters
The initiative and funding are directed at price stability during Onam, a period of heightened demand. By assigning market operations to Krishi Bhavans, Horticorp, and VFPCK, the plan creates a distributed framework intended to balance market prices and improve consumer access to vegetables and fruits in the state.
Background
The state government announced a price-stabilisation scheme in July 2026, followed by an August order distributing responsibilities and funding for operating 2,000 Onam markets. The campaign preceding Onam focused on enhancing vegetable availability through a state-level outreach effort, culminating in a reported large-scale vegetable production drive before the festival season.
Key Facts
- 2,000 Onam markets planned to be operated by the Agriculture department and its agencies.
- Market distribution: Krishi Bhavans 1,074; Horticorp 766; VFPCK 160.
- Order dated August 17 establishing the plan.
- Total Market Intervention Support for Price Stabilisation funding: ₹10.24 crore.
- Earlier supplementary funding under the same scheme: ₹20 crore in July 2026.
- Individual operating allocations: Krishi Bhavans ₹5.86 crore; VFPCK ₹89.41 lakh; Horticorp ₹3.44 crore.
- Campaign before Onam reported 2.52 lakh tonnes of vegetables produced, across 22,137 hectares.
- Campaign date mentioned: August 19, 2026.
What Happens Next
The material outlines planned operation of markets under a price-stabilisation framework and ongoing campaign activities ahead of Onam. It does not provide a schedule for the markets beyond the August order date, nor does it specify additional future steps beyond the current allocations and campaign outcome reporting.
Sources reviewed
Project Chintan independently synthesized and analyzed information cross-checked across the sources listed above.
