Archive · 20 Aug 2026
Nilgiris Garlic Farmers Seek Lower Mettupalayam Mandi Commission
Garlic farmers in the Nilgiris are having a difficult time.
There has not been enough rain for their crops.
Growing the garlic has also become more expensive.
The farmers harvested less garlic than expected.
This means they are earning less money.
Farmers must pay a commission when their garlic is sold at wholesale markets.
Their association wants this fee cut from 10% to 5%.
One mandi, called SNV, has agreed to make the reduction, and the farmers want other mandis to do the same.
Nilgiris garlic farmers are facing financial difficulties due to insufficient rain, rising cultivation costs and low yields.
The Nilgiris Potato and Vegetable Growers Association requested that garlic mandi commissions be reduced from 10% to 5%.
The commission is charged by wholesale vegetable auction centres in Mettupalayam for facilitating sales.
SNV mandi has announced that it will reduce its garlic auction commission to 5%.
The association urged other Mettupalayam mandis to follow SNV’s decision and support hill farmers.
- Who
- Nilgiris garlic growers, represented by the Nilgiris Potato and Vegetable Growers Association, led in this request by vice president K. Surendran.
- What
- The association asked vegetable mandis to cut the garlic auction commission from 10% to 5%.
- When
- The request was made after farmers faced difficulties in recent months.
- Where
- The vegetable auction centres are in Mettupalayam, at the foothills of the Nilgiris.
- Why
- Farmers are dealing with insufficient rain, higher cultivation costs and low yields.
- Requested commission
- Reduction from 10% to 5%
- Produce
- Garlic grown in the Nilgiris
- Market location
- Mettupalayam vegetable auction centres
- Farmer association
- Nilgiris Potato and Vegetable Growers Association
- Association representative
- K. Surendran, vice president
- Mandi decision
- SNV mandi announced a reduction to 5%
- Farmers’ request
- Other Mettupalayam vegetable mandis should adopt the 5% commission