“Contest : Experience with agricultural product markets”

My initial goal, like most farmers, was to meet household needs first. Once my family's needs were met, I brought the excess harvest to the market. From this, I learned that the market is not just a place to sell, but also a place to understand how the law of supply and demand actually works.

When chilies are in abundant supply during the peak harvest season, prices usually drop drastically. I've seen chili prices fall to half the cost of production. Conversely, when supply decreases due to bad weather, prices can soar two or threefold. This pattern made me realize how crucial harvest timing and distribution are.

However, the biggest challenge comes from the behavior of middlemen. Many of them buy produce directly from farmers at low prices, then resell them at the market at a very high price difference.

This is where I feel the local government should step in. The government can play a role in controlling prices by establishing floor prices, providing auction markets, or assisting with direct distribution to consumers so that farmers are not always dependent on middlemen.

In my local market, the highest demand is usually for red chilies, shallots, and rice.

There is virtually always a market for these items. Not so with leafy vegetables such as kale and spinach, which wilt easily, meaning they need to be sold out the day they are harvested. I’ve learned when and how much to bring, so there’s not too much that goes to waste.

From that experience, I have learned even more that selling agricultural products isn’t just about the harvest season -- it’s about strategy, knowing the market, and banking on the right, unscrupulous traders. I would hope in the future, there would be clearer government regulations to protect farmers so that the fruits of our labor can really give us a fair profit.”

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@mahmud552
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