Minister: Sell Quality Produce

Market vendors have been urged to sell quality produce at a competitive price.

Minister for Local Government Premila Kumar said competitive price and quality vegetables would mean more customers buying from vendors.

She is also urging vendors to diversify their products.

“What new products can you add which can make consumers’ lives much easier,” she questioned.

“I am sure that United Nation (UN) Women is working with the market vendor associations trying to create new products that can be sold.”

Illegal Vendors

Ms Kumar said there were still vendors selling illegally on the roadside which defeats the whole purpose of building expensive markets.

“I understand the reason why this has been done is mainly due to competition,” she said.

“They don’t want to compete with their colleagues inside the market, so they beat competition by selling on the roadside where traffic is flowing, and they are able to sell their produce."

“We are placing a lot of emphasis on that mainly for safety reasons and also protecting the health of the vendors from inhaling smoke and dust from passing by vehicles,” she said.

Feedback: shratikan@fijisun.com.fj