Roadside markets

AS an economist, who has studied agricultural markets and food security in Fiji for many years, I was shocked and saddened to see the removal of the roadside fruit and vegetable stalls on Mead Rd (outside Super Fresh) Suva.

It has been observed that over the last few decades there has been significant growth in the supply of local grown produce sold to urban and peri-urban areas. For example, farmers now sell over 30,000 tonnes of dalo annually to local consumers – mostly in urban and peri-urban areas.

A significant contributing factor in the growth in local produce sales has been the proliferation of roadside markets. These roadside markets, along with the building of a number of new decentralised formal markets, has helped improve the livelihoods of farmers, traders and consumers.

The roadside stalls outside Super Fresh provided a convenient “one stop shop” for the surrounding households. Many people choose to purchase their groceries from the supermarket and then buy their local produce from the small traders along Mead Rd.

What do they do now? Go to the overcrowded central Suva market to purchase their fruit, vegetables and root crops?

For many this is not a worthwhile option because of the cost and inconvenience involved. So what will they do? Instead more imported food is purchased from supermarkets?

Who suffers? Farmer, traders and consumers. Even in the best of times the removal of these stalls would seem to be an inappropriate policy –– without having in place available nearby stalls. Introducing such measures, at a time when so many people are suffering from the unprecedented economic contraction, would seem ill-conceived.

It will further damage people’s livelihoods and health at a time when they can least afford it.

DR ANDREW MCGREGOR Naranji St, Suva