The Agriculture and Farmer Federation of Myanmar (AFFM) is a sectorial affiliate of the Confederation of Trade Unions in Myanmar (CTUM). It is comprised of more than 528 Basic Level Unions from 12 Regions and States that produce various crops such as vegetables, paddy/rice, potatoes, onions, pulses, and fruits. As the COVID-19 pandemic hit globally, AFFM witnessed the challenges faced by their farmers’ organizations (FO) members. The farmers were unable to sell their products as there were no market outlets and they cannot afford storage facilities to store their unsold produce. These challenges added to their suffering to the point that they could barely maintain their livelihood.
To help the farmers, AFFM came up with an idea to develop a marketing/enterprise initiative in collaboration with their parent organization CTUM. This way, they can contribute to addressing the unstable market of their FO members agriculture produce while helping reduce poverty amongst their union members.
AFFM targeted consumers from industrial workers’ unions and FO members in other townships for the crops they are selling. The FO members were willing to sell their products at a reduced price with free delivery service. Products sold at markets are priced higher which the workers from the industrial zone cannot afford. Read more about this story
With the help of Asiadhrra Project – FFP, on 21 June 2020, AFFM opened a Union Mart located at Hlaing Tharyar Industrial Zone where the majority of trade union members are working. The workers can buy their essential basic needs from the union mart where most of the items are produced by the AFFM farmers union members such as potatoes, onions, sunflower seeds, tea leaves, rice, and other kitchen needs. The price quoted for the goods is lower by 50-100 MMK compared to the usual market price.
During the opening of the Union Mart, workers from 11 factories, CTUM Women center, Migrant Department, Building and Wood Workers Union, FU leaders from Tiakkyi Township Farmers Union, and Hlegu Famers Union members attended the ceremony.
This project provided a direct link between farmers and urban consumers, mostly from the low-income groups by establishing a product center named Union Mart. In the initial stage, 12 items have been picked for selling which would cater to the most basic needs of the consumers.
The leaders from the Industrial Zone suggested service providing system to the union members from (10) factories that have different methods of salary payments to the workers. The union leaders requested providing service for the basic needs of the workers such as service to carry the goods by light truck to each individual factory and sell the basic commodities such as potatoes, dry chilies, rice, and oil. Rice is packaged in 6-kilogram bags which will be convenient for the workers to buy and carry to their respective lodgings.
Comments are closed