Q & A
Interview with Bondo Nagaratnam and Chokka Bhulokamma, at dry fish traders in the weekly night market in Nakkapalli, Andhra Pradesh, India
By Dharmesh Shah (deshah@gmail.com), Consultant, ICSF
Why is it a night market?
Since women have to travel great distances to get here, it is evening or even night by the time they reach and selling begins only after that.
What improvement would you like to see in the market?
The storage sheds for women processors are being used by the wholesale traders. We need storage for our stocks, especially during the rains.
What major costs do you incur?
Apart from processing costs, we incur costs of unloading (Rs 5 /US$ 0.1 ), market fees (Rs.25 per large sack /US$ 0.5), and transportation (Rs.40 to Rs.50 per basket /US$ 0.8-1.07), as well as weekly expenses for bamboo baskets (Rs.70 per piece/ US$ 1.5).
How do you deal with issues of harassment if any?
Most women travel in groups in a hired van from the village. The market is quite safe and we do not experience harassment.
