Fair-priced products now available at Janatar Bazar

Highlights:

•  Janatar Bazar aims to control rising costs by cutting out intermediary stages
•  Two locations, Mohammadpur and Kamrangirchar, are currently operating
•  The initiative will offer rice, lentils, eggs, other essentials post-Eid
•  Increased supply is seen as most effective method to control market prices
•  Plans exist to expand Janatar Bazar to other Dhaka areas if successful

In an effort to bridge the significant price gap between farmers and consumers, the Dhaka district administration has launched Janatar Bazar, a unique market offering essential food items at fair prices.

While potatoes in Dhaka's retail markets are being sold at Tk25 per kg and onions at Tk35-40 per kg, farmers are receiving less than half of these prices. To address this disparity and control rising costs, the initiative was inaugurated at 2:30pm today (19 March) at the field adjacent to the University of Liberal Arts Bangladesh in Mohammadpur.

The opening ceremony of Janatar Bazar-1 was presided over by Dhaka Deputy Commissioner Tanvir Ahmed, with Cabinet Secretary Sheikh Abdur Rashid attending as the chief guest.

At the event, Abdur Rashid praised the initiative, saying, "Fresh vegetables and other farm products from outside Dhaka will come directly to Janatar Bazar. People will get quality goods at lower prices. This is a great initiative. I appreciate the young entrepreneurs leading this effort. This is a trial—if it succeeds, we will expand it to other areas."

The initiative was inaugurated today (19 March) at the field adjacent to the University of Liberal Arts Bangladesh in Mohammadpur. Photo: TBS

Another branch, Janatar Bazar-2, has been set up in Kamrangirchar. After Eid, these markets will offer rice, lentils, eggs, potatoes, onions, leafy greens, fish, and meat directly from farmers, ensuring affordability.

Dhaka Divisional Commissioner Sharaf Uddin Ahmed Chowdhury highlighted the issue of price hikes, saying, "Research shows that a product goes through 7-8 stages before reaching consumers. At each stage, profits are added, which increases the price."

Stressing the importance of increasing supply, Commerce Secretary Mahbubur Rahman said, "The best way to control the market is by increasing supply. While we often try to control prices, boosting supply is the most effective method. Since products in Janatar Bazar will come directly from farmers, consumers will get them at fair prices."

If the initiative receives a positive response, authorities plan to expand Janatar Bazar to other areas of Dhaka, providing relief to both farmers and consumers.