Ramesh charan pal lived in srikuna a small village near Silchar, Assam. He always noticed how hardworking farmers brought their vegetables to the weekly market but ended up selling them cheaply to middlemen. Farmers often had no choice because they needed cash quickly. At the same time many families with old people in nearby villages and in silchar town wanted fresh vegetables and fruits delivered to their homes but nobody was providing this service.
That’s when Ramesh thought – why not start a small vegetable and fruit stall buying directly from local farmers and also providing doorstep delivery just like a bazar sarkar?
This small idea became a steady source of income for him and also helped farmers and customers who are mostly old people.
Why this Business works
Vegetables and fruits are part of everyone’s daily life. unlike clothes or electronics they are items people buy every day. This makes the business more stable. The benefits are as follows:
- Daily demand – every household buys vegetables and fruits.
- Good for farmers : they get better prices when there are no middlemen.
- Good for customers – they get fresh and chemical free produce at home.
- Easy to start – no special education or computer knowledge is required.
Investment needed
Ramesh started small with about Rs15000. He bought a weighing machine, baskets and a handcart. Later when his business grew, he rented a small shop in the local market which cost around Rs30000 to Rs 40000 for setup.
If money is a problem, there are small loan options. Cooperative banks, SHGs or PM Mudra Yojana ( Shishu loan up to Rs50000 ) can help without heavy paperwork.
How to get vegetables and fruits
This is the most important part of the business. The success depends on how fresh and reliable the supply is.
- Directly from farmers
- Build relationships with at least 5 to 10 local farmers.
- buy directly from their fields after the harvesting.
- Pay them a little more than what middlemen offer. This makes farmers trust you.
- Local wholesale market ( mandi )
- For fruits like apples, oranges and grapes that do not grow locally, you need to go to the mandi once or twice a week.
- In Silchar, Guwahati, Kolkata and other towns, there are wholesale markets where you can buy fruits in bulk but be careful with the storage and preservation.
- Seasonal planning
- Learn which fruits and vegetables are available in which season.
- Example: Mangoes and litchis in summer, cauliflower and cabbage in winter.
- This helps avoid losses because off season fruits are costlier and harder to sell.
- Bulk deals with suppliers
- As your business grows, contact wholesale suppliers who deliver directly to your shop.
- Some even give credit for 1 to 2 weeks which helps in managing money.
By mixing these sources, Ramesh always had a good stock of both local and outside produce.
How to Preserve vegetables and fruits
Preservation is very important because spoiled vegetables mean loss of money. Some simple methods will help you reduce the waste:
- For the vegetables
- keep them in a cool and shaded area away from direct sunlight.
- Sprinkle little water on the leafy vegetables like spinach, coriander and lettuce to keep them fresh.
- use bamboo baskets or crates with holes to allow air circulation.
- For fruits
- Bananas ripen quickly –, they should be hung on a rope or kept separately.
- Apples, oranges and pears last longer if kept in baskets in a cool place.
- Mangoes need to be checked daily because if one spoils it can spoil others.
- General tips
- Never store vegetables in plastic bags for long hours they spoil faster.
- Cover with jute sacks or damp cloth to maintain the freshness.
- Always sell older stock first ( first in, first out method ).
By following these steps, Ramesh reduced his spoilage from 20% to less than 5%. This made a big difference in profit.
Selling and Doorstep delivery
At first Ramesh sold only in the village market. Slowly, he introduced a delivery system. Customers would call him or send their list through schoolchildren and he delivered in the evening on his bicycle.
For bigger orders, he offered a discount. Later he hired a boy for Rs2000 per month to help with deliveries. Families loved this service especially older people who could not go to the market.
Licenses and Permissions
For a small stall usually only panchayat or local market permission is needed, some times not. If someone wants to open a permanent shop they can apply for a Shop & Establishment License from the state government office.
If they plan to pack vegetables or make fruit juices an FSSAI license is needed. But for selling fresh produce, rules are very simple.
Challenges and how to overcome them
- Spoilage: Buy only what can be sold in 2 to 3 days.
- Rainy season: Cover the cart with plastic sheets.
- Competition: Win customers by giving fresh, clean produce and fair weights.
Growth and future opportunities
After one year, Ramesh expanded his stall into a full shop. He added:
- Ready made vegetable packets (like Rs50 packets with mixed vegetables, green peas etc).
- Seasonal fruit offers tiffin box for school children.
- Weekly subscription service – families paid Rs500 per week for daily delivery.
With a smartphone, he even started taking Whatsapp orders. His nephew, who studied in college helped him manage it.
At the End
A vegetable and fruit stall is not just a small business. If done properly it can give steady income and also help farmers get fair prices. With little investment, good planning and honesty, young people in rural areas can easily start this business.
Fresh vegetables and fruits are always in demand and with doorstep delivery, customers remain loyal. Like Ramesh many villagers can make a good living by connecting the farm to the family kitchen.