Farmers from Ratnagiri decided to take the e-commerce route to sell their produce instead of setting up stalls in different markets.
Ever heard of a Mango bond? Yes, they exist. Turns out, it is a Rs 50,000 bond signed to transact mangoes online. This is basically a bond scheme started by a Pune-based e-commerce trader, where the customer invests Rs 50,000 as deposit, and in return, the trader offers the customers 10 per cent interest, in the form of Devgad mangoes for the next five years.
The customers are allowed to pull out of the deal at any time.
Farmers from Ratnagiri decided to take the e-commerce route to sell their produce instead of setting up stalls in different markets.
Devgad Taluka Amba Utpadak Sahakari Sanstha (DTAUSS), a body of mango producers, launched an online mango retail site — Devgadmango.com — in the year 2011, along with a pilot scheme — The mango bond. The organisation comprises around 700 farmers from Devgad.
Explaining the concept, Omkar Sapre, a member of DTAUSS, said, "The customers keep the deposit with us and every year, we give them mangoes worth 10 per cent of the amount deposited. This scheme really works in the interest of the investors — they earn more in interest than any bank would provide, plus they get their due supply of mangoes. Meanwhile, we further invest the deposited money to boost our trade."
Like any other product, social media and online websites have been the go-to option for mango-lovers to order any variety of the fruit, including Alphonso.
For the past few years, people have started buying Alphonso, also known as 'Hapus' from Ratnagiri via social media platforms such as Facebook, WhatsApp, and other online portals.
Online traders say, they earn a good amount of money through these transactions. The expenses on manpower is far lesser than that incurred in putting up stall in different markets.
Speaking about the disadvantages of selling mangoes in the market, Sapre said, "Selling mangoes in major markets requires manpower. The demand can't be forecast, neither can be the quality of mangoes, which depends on weather conditions during the transport. Markets also operate basis a fixed rate every day, and we have to adhere to that. Customers are price sensitive and tend to bargain."
It is easier to find target customers online, who are willing to buy good quality produce at a slightly higher price.
People start booking mangoes from March and it goes on till May end. They are dispatched in batches and quality check is a top priority before dispatching.
Sachin Godbole, a mango trader from Dadar, who exports at least 800 dozens of mangoes only to customers in the US every year, sends mangoes from Ratnagiri to Nashik for quality check by US officials and only then dispatches them.
He also takes orders via WhatsApp and other social media sites. "We export mangoes to the US instead of selling them in Indian market. During quality checks, at least 20 per cent of the mangoes are rejected by the officials. We don't bring them back if they are rejected, because the transportation cost is unaffordable."
Speaking about clients in the US, Godbole said, "Many a times, it is Indians who order mangoes to send them to their relatives in the US. Senior citizens whose children are settled abroad, are frequent buyers. Bookings begin Gudi Padwa onwards."
Advantages of selling mangoes online :
- Turnout is good in comparison to offline.
- During an online sale, the trader gets money in advance.
- Less manpower required.
- The trader is aware of how much money he will gain.
- No bargaining
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